Outdoor Pursuits Centre  

Developing young Kiwis' potential

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre’s new marine centre at Karaka Bay, Great Barrier Island, has secured funding to develop the new centre on Great Barrier Island.

“Grants from the ASB Community Trust, worth almost a million dollars, will allow the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre to help young New Zealanders to develop their potential and experience adventure in one of our most diverse marine environments,” says OPC CEO Grant Davidson.

OPC’s ambitions match the Trust’s objectives on a number of levels, says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.

 “While OPC has developed and increased the range of programmes that it offers, founder Graeme Dingle’s original vision and the philosophy behind the programmes has changed little – developing people’s potential through challenging outdoor adventures, environmental awareness, fun and support.

 “We are interested in funding projects or organisations that will help us achieve our mission – enhancing the lives of people in the communities of Auckland and Northland,” she says. “The outdoor education centre on Great Barrier helps meet that objective.”

The outdoor pursuits centre will allow up to 1500 young people a year to join courses where OPC instructors will guide them through kayaking, sailing, and coastal rock climbing adventures.

“People taking up the challenge of adventure suddenly find the world is full of opportunities”, says Mr Davidson. “Previously perceived barriers are no longer an obstacle to participation and achievement. This sharing of fun and success is the OPC experience”.
www.opc.org.nz