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| Cow Creek Swingbridge |
Raphael House has a long tradition of appreciating the educational value of the great outdoors. At our doorstep are vast tracts of forested mountains with deep gorges, wild rivers and narrow, wind buffeted ridges. A perfect playground for the outdoor enthusiast or for the teenager with an overabundant supply of physical energy.
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| Helping hands in the bush (Photo: Andrew Fisher) |
One of the many camps that students of our Class 9 (year 10) will experience is called the "find your limit' camp. The purpose is to offer these young people the opportunity to test their strength and endurance in face of the elements in the rugged surroundings of the Tararua Ranges.
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| Tararua River Crossing |
Over four days the class traverses through dense bush, across rivers and over summits, with overnight accommodation in the tramping huts that are scattered throughout the Forest Park.
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| Windswept tussock near Jumbo Hut |
Through the many outdoor experiences that are included in the curriculum at Raphael House, we hope to widen and enrich the young persons' experience of nature as well as their social interactions in challenging circumstances and their own personal resilience to being at the edge of their comfort zone in a safe and supportive setting.
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| Towards Mount Holdsworth |
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| The sunrise gets an audience from Jumbo Hut |
