January 30, 2010

A word from one of our instructors…

In my final year of college I decided that I wanted to go to university to further my education but had no idea what I wanted to study. I spent months thinking about it and eventually it all became clear. I was going to do the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at AUT in Akoranga, Auckland. I decided on this degree due to my passion for sport and the outdoors. Throughout my three years at university my passion grew stronger as I was taking all of the papers that involved being in or learning about NZ’s outdoors. In my final year of study I had to choose an organisation where I would complete a year of work experience. After spending day’s googling outdoor providers in NZ I decided on The Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre, better known as MERC.

MERC is situated at Long Bay Beach on the North Shore of Auckland. It provides marine and land based activities to a variety of clients including school groups, special needs and corporate groups. Some of these activities include kayaking, snorkelling, surfing, rock climbing, archery and adventure based learning activities. About half way through the year I was offered a position at MERC. I was stoked as it meant that I had the perfect job lined up for when I finished my degree.

It has now been about three and a half years since finishing university and I am still working for MERC. I find it hard to believe that I get paid to play on the beach all day. One of the best parts of my job is that I have been lucky enough to be involved with a number of the Project K programmes MERC provides. I find the programmes extremely rewarding as I feel like I’m helping to make a difference to the lives of the youth involved. Within the seventeen days of the wilderness adventure part of the programme I often see a huge change in the student’s attitudes and behaviour.

When asked if I would like to be involved in The Big Walk I felt privileged that I would have the opportunity to help make an impact on the youth of NZ. I think that what The Big Walk aims to achieve is just what our country needs right now. I have loved every minute of the journey. It has been so rewarding to see the changes in so many of the Project K graduate students that have participated along the way. It has definitely confirmed for me how important it is to engage NZ’s young people in their communities and what impact participating in a Project K programme can have on their lives. The Big Walk is helping to shape the future generations of NZ.

There have been so many memorable moments along the way…breathtaking scenery, wicked activities including mountain biking, quad biking, jet boating, kayaking, milking cows and hiking, amazing students, awesome conversations, very generous people who have offered us places to stay, tasty feeds and good company and so much more. There have also been so many laughs along the way…noodle challenges, lots of singing, hedgehog squashing (apparently accidental according to Jamie), heaps of bails from bikes, wet exits from kayaks, snoring machines, some of the best sleep talking I’ve ever heard, bivvy experiences and way too many mackerals!

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