Trust partnership provides Tongariro experience

Trust partnership provides Tongariro experience

Ignite Sport Trust and the Taylor Memorial Trust have partnered to give young people a taste of leadership in the outdoors, while honouring two former local teachers.

More than 100 teens, each year for three years from 2016, will be able to tramp the Tongariro Crossing and stay at the Taylor Memorial Lodge at Pokaka at little or no cost.

Naenae College has already signalled its interest for senior students, says Ignite Sport Coordinator Kevin Goldsbury. Other secondary schools Ignite Sport works with will be given the opportunity to take up the offer.

The Taylor Memorial Trust was formed to remember Hugh and Alison Taylor, senior members of the Hutt Valley Memorial College (renamed Petone College) who were killed in an aircraft accident in 1978. The Trust aimed to establish a memorial that was educational and encouraged experiences outside the normal urban environment.

The Taylor Memorial Lodge was used originally as an integral part of Petone College’s calendar – as an extension of the geography, history, biology and physical education programmes as well as providing experiences in leadership, trip organisation and outdoor experiences. Following closure of the College in 1998 and sale of the Taylor Memorial Lodge in 2014, the Taylor Memorial Trust’s aim continued, to broaden the educational opportunities of young people.

A chance meeting between Mr Goldsbury and a trustee earlier this year led to the recent partnership. Five school groups during a year, for three years, will be accommodated at the Taylor Memorial Lodge for two nights, plus a contribution will be provided for each group’s trip costs.

“This is a significant opportunity which means we can further develop our student leadership programme to include a greater outdoor learning experience,” says Mr Goldsbury. “I’ve spoken to a couple of schools already and they were immediately grabbed by the idea.”

Ignite Sport Trust will organise the trips, with a qualified outdoor instructor as part of the team.

ENDS

© Scoop Media