Personal growth and lessons in leadership are elements the four Outward Bound Scholarship recipients hope to gain from the courses they will participate in at Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds.
Many Rotorua people of all ages before them have gained new life skills from Outward Bound and the Rotorua high school students expect to return to their schools enriched by the experience.
Laura Jackson has previously participated in a five-day Spirit of Adventure voyage around the Bay of Islands and is thrilled to be given another team building opportunity in the New Zealand outdoors.
“I have heard a lot about it from others and knew it was something I’d like to do.
“I expect it will teach me a lot about myself and I am going to give everything a go and not let anything hold me back.”
Laura plans to begin a Bachelor of Arts degree at Victoria University in 2014 and later join the New Zealand Police.
A love of the outdoors is also shared by the three male student recipients.
When away from his studies, Kale Grahame loves to go fishing, hunting and tramping and is relishing the prospect of the outdoor challenges. He has previously attended courses at Tongariro’s Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
“Outward Bound will provide mental and physical challenges and the chance to learn new skills. I want to push my limits as much as I can and increase my leadership potential,” he said.
Jared Tauiwi has excelled in rugby league and the sport of touch in which he is a New Zealand U-19 squad player. He is expecting Outward Bound to provide a new array of challenges.
“I have heard it is pretty tough but that is good,” he said, “I am expecting it will help me through school and give me both more confidence and experience.”
Living in rural settings throughout his life has given Adam Donald plenty of outdoor experience and he ultimately would like to run his own farm where he knows that ability to effectively manage a team will be critical.
“I see the Outward Bound course as a good opportunity for me. It will be a very good experience and I hope to learn good life skills for the future.”