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AOEC
Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre
There is no classroom better than the outdoors! Through our camps, we promote a love and passion for the outdoors – recognising that the children of today are the guardians of tomorrow.
We focus on environmental education, outdoor safety, and sustainability, which provide valuable opportunities for learning. Our activities are designed to foster the development of positive life skills and offer memorable learning experiences within the Kaimai Forest Park.
Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre is a leading environmental education centre and is located on leased Department of Conservation (DOC) land. It is managed by the board of the Kaimai Outdoor Centre Inc.
Board members are volunteers, and a resident manager is employed to run and oversee the centre and is assisted
The more children are exposed to nature, the more likely they will fall in love with nature & become the future guardians of our land.
by six instructors, all passionate about environmental education. As a not-for profit organisation, all profits and donations are directed towards the improvement of facilities, activities, and programmes.
OUR CHALLENGES AND GOALS
Many of the groups who visit AOEC now include the Environmental Education module in their camp programme. However, it takes constant effort and persuasion to get the module included into traditional school camp programmes.
When camp budgets are limited, we notice that groups are more likely to exclude Environmental Education modules and include other activities. Yet those groups that do include any of our Forest Discovery and Environment Education modules in their programme, say that they were amazed by how much fun these interactive sessions were. So, they are pleased to have experienced them and say that they will not only include them in their future camps, but also in their class/ school curriculum.
Our goal is to seek funding so Environmental Education at AOEC can be free or can be subsidised, so that all groups visiting AOEC will be able to include at least two of the five modules we currently offer in their camp programme.
GET INVOLVED!
We would struggle to exist without volunteers. We always welcome individuals, families and interested groups.
We have several working bees each year and if you have children, you can bring them along! We will keep them busy with activities, so they learn about their natural environment, as well as offering rock climbing, archery and other activities. Head to our website to find out more.
