Teen Development Program New Zealand

Teen Development Program

8 Days | Queenstown | 11-13 & 14-16 Years Old

Teen Development Program

Fostering independence, leadership and connection, Pure Exploration’s Teen Development Program is here to immerse your teen in nature and social skills in a group setting. A young person’s brain is changing everyday, and in this day and age societal pressures, the internet and simply growing up can be hugely challenging. Finding a sense of self, practical skills for life in today’s world, and learning how to perform in a team environment are key to our rangatahi flourishing. 

That’s why we created our Teen Development Program. An eight-day program filled with activities and adventures that promote and stimulate personal growth, leadership skills, independence, self-management and a stronger sense of self.

Adventure & Discovery

Try new things, meet new people, and embrace the journey.

Outdoors For Everyone

This program is suitable for teens aged between 11-13, and 14-16 regardless of their previous outdoors experience.

Rugged Travel

Hike remote backcountry places like Mt. Aspiring, Greenstone/Caples and rock climb in Hospital Flats Wānaka.

All Inclusive

Bring yourself, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn in the outdoors.

Register Your Interest

What will my teen do?

Your teen will explore the natural world through learning how to manage themselves and others in the bush, hiking and navigating using a map and compass. They’ll discover survival skills through bushcraft, river crossings and wild camping - all whilst under the guidance of one of our skilled and qualified instructors. 

Stretching comfort zones, your rangatahi will go rock climbing, abseiling, cliff jumping and zip lining. Restoring their connection to self, nature and others, your teen will explore the Queenstown region, whilst practicing the skills required to participate in outdoor expeditions.

What will my teen learn?

Besides the practical skills woven into the experience, your teen will learn about managing themselves as an individual and as a member of a team, being introduced to models such as emotional regulation, managing stress/stress response, group consensus, conflict resolution, mindset, comfort zones, negotiation and communication styles. These are introduced in a brain-friendly way, creating accessible and relatable concepts for our young people to draw on as they develop and grow closer to adulthood. 

Your teen will also acquire leadership skills, and be taught tools and skills which they’re encouraged to perform and practice throughout the program.

Why should my teen do this?

It can be hard to get quality time with our young ones, especially as social media and technology seem to always be on hand (or in hand!). Spending time away from excess screen usage, immersed in nature and awesome experiences, with peers of a similar age is the perfect way to refresh, whilst kick-starting a teen to think more deeply about the connections they hold to themselves, others, and the environment. Upon completion, your teen will know that connection isn’t only found through a screen. Please note, groups will be split into 11-13 year olds and 14-16 year olds.

What's Included?

  • Highly experienced local program instructors who are with the group from start to finish
  • All activities and experiences
  • All accommodation, transport and food for the duration of the program
  • All necessary technical equipment and group equipment (tents, rock climbing gear, camp cooking equipment)
  • Relevant and important documents to prepare you for the program
  • 24/7 Emergency Phone number during program
  • Please note: personal equipment like hiking boots, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad will need to be brought with you

Testimonials

★★★★★

I had the best time in Queenstown! And my instructors were really cool!!

L.J
Student
★★★★★

My daughter was lucky enough to join this program in December and she loved every minute of it. Doing this program right before the Christmas break was a great way to get her outdoors and appreciating the environment around her.

Z.J
Parent
★★★★★

Our daughter joined an all girls teen program with 9 other girls from all over New Zealand; she hasn't stopped speaking about her time in Queenstown and all the friends she met! Thank you Pure Exploration!

T.M
Parent
★★★★★

I really liked the rock climbing in Wānaka, it was fun to learn how to do it and was my favourite part of the program.

S.S
Student
★★★★★

Spending all of this time in the outdoors has made my daughter very appreciative of the world around us; she loved the hiking as she had never been on an overnight hike before.

B.D
Parent
★★★★★

It was really cool learning how to cook while we were hiking. We boiled some water and had a hot chocolate!

C.R
Student

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