Southern REAP, Winston

The Mazda Foundation grant of $1,760 to Southern REAP (Rural Education & Activities Programme) will mean 12 young people will experience the beautiful Mavora Lakes in Fiordland, National Park on a three day outdoor education camp.

Sue Wilson, sponsorship team leader from Southern REAP who organise the camps says the programmes are aimed at ‘at risk youths’ aged between 13-16 years who have been alienated from mainstream schooling because of a number of personal issues. The camp will allow these people to focus on life skills such as friendship, independence, teamwork, responsibility and exploration.

“The experience of camping, tramping, and generally enjoying our great natural scenic resources can have a life-altering effect on young people. Our programme’s mission is to assist our students to get back into mainstream schooling, into a job at 16; or into further training,” says Wilson.

The camps are run in conjunction with Adventure Southland and led by four tutors who all spend their time between classroom teaching and providing out of classroom excursions covering life skills and social development. Students take part in kayaking, trout fishing, mountain biking and bush craft, amongst other activities.