Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre

At Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre rangatahi learn to work as a team, while exploring Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga. Students also learn how to be guardians of our land – Kaitiakitanga – while building personal skills in the outdoors. Both three and five-day residential camps are available. Activities involve rafting, high ropes, caving, adventure based learning (ABL), team challenges, bush skills and navigation, camping out overnight, rock climbing and abseiling. TSB TOPEC was formed in 1986 by a charitable trust to provide outdoor education for Taranaki school students. Qualified teachers have always been employed and TSB TOPEC has continued to commit to helping people connect with the outdoors, providing activities, training and educational opportunities that allow for individuals and groups to challenge themselves and develop new skills. They aim to endow participants with the following traits and skills:

Leadership
Work-ready training with a focus on developing youth into confident, strong and communicative leaders for their schools, community and future work place.

Leader Facilitation
Work-ready training with a focus on youth facilitating team activities and developing communication, co-operation, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

NCEA
Their day and residential courses are based upon Challenge-by-Choice and are designed for personal development and outdoor skill development. Educational needs can be met through gaining of NCEA credits, the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award, and a myriad of work-ready skills.

Year 11 to 13 NCEA (15-18 years of age)
Unit Standards (day tramps, navigation, survival, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes, low ropes, team building, rafting, caving, climbing) and PE Achievement Standard (risk, physical performance, leadership) assessment incorporating outdoor pursuit skill development and risk management. Students become work-ready, more adaptable and confident through learning self-management, personal limits, and communication and cooperation skills.

TOPEC is an Open Award Centre for the Taranaki region. This means if you live in this area, you can sign up with TOPEC to do your Award. You will be assigned an Award Leader who will assist you. They provide training and life-changing experiences for all four sections that make up the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards: skill, sport, community service and adventurous journey. A great way to meet like-minded youth from the region, develop essential life skills and have a great time along the way. Journeys are run during school holiday breaks and weekends. Or get enough mates together and your school might let you come during the week.

Adventurous Journey and Adventurous Journey Training provider
TOPEC runs a range of programmes which covers the training, practice and qualifying journey for all levels of the Award.

Their upcoming Award programmes are advertised on their website. It’s as simple as finding the right programme for you and signing up

Vision | Te Whāinga Matua

Inspire learning, growth and potential. To create positive relationships, community and personal change, through experiential learning, adventure and challenge.

Purpose | Te Koronga