Outdoor Education
Marlborough Girls’ College benefits from the area’s easy access to three of the country’s most beautiful national parks (Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman, Kaikoura Ranges, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Park). Since Marlborough is New Zealand’s sunniest province, it offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventure opportunities.
The Outdoor Education course aims to teach students to learn how to overcome adversity, enhance personal and social development, develop a deeper relationship with nature and develop skills in outdoor sports. It is Education in, for and about the outdoors.
Cycle touring and Mountain Biking
White water and Sea Kayaking: Upper South Island rivers offer some of the finest white water in New Zealand. Sea kayaking amongst the islands off the Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes provides a unique chance to observe whales, seals, seabirds and other marine life at close hand.
Camping, hiking and tramping: Students may sleep in a tent in a remote valley or by an alpine tarn, as part of an expedition.
Caving: Not far away from Blenheim there are a variety of caves that are great for exploration. They also have a significant historical interest. Many students find the caves a different, challenging and rewarding experience.
Climbing, Mountaineering, and snow caving: Rock climbing and abseiling are definitely amongst the most exciting activities. We are lucky to have a good climbing crag. Some more experienced groups go on to bigger things and may tackle ridge-scrambling, mountain bivouacs (sleeping out under the stars), ascents of the higher peaks and snow and ice climbing with axes and crampons if winter conditions are favourable.
Adventure and Problem Solving: Students could be asked to build and travel on a raft or make and use a rope bridge across a river, working as a member or leader of a team; the possibilities are endless and the outcomes revealing and rewarding.
Orienteering: Several courses in the garden grounds and the surrounding forests are designed to provide practice in navigation, and give an introduction to a growing sport for those on mixed-activity courses. For those with previous experience and enthusiasm, or wanting a specialist orienteering course, there are many, excellently-mapped forests in the area.
Rafting: Teamwork is essential to successfully negotiate the currents and white water of our local rivers in our white water rafts.
