Download a PDF of the 2013 Interim Semester Handbook.

Muddy WheelsEA10North Island,New ZealandECO ADVENTURESponsorAdam MillerSteven PetragliaPriceS$3,600Course Length7 daysPost-Interim Experience:Parent’s night / OnlineReflectionsCourse Difficulty:Very Rigorous Adventure, Ahigh level of physical fitnessis requiredDescriptionThis is a highly active course into the New Zealand wilderness designedby adventure lovers for adventure lovers. The course will challengeparticipants both mentally and physically as we bike, raft and surf our wayacross the beautiful north island of New Zealand. We are going to bechallenging ourselves on world-class mountain bike trails for three days atthe Whakarewarewa Redwood Reserve (site of 120 purpose-built mountainbiking trails) and the Whirinaki Forest. We will learn about proper mountainbiking techniques and maintenance, while riding down some of the mostbeautiful and picturesque trails in the world. We will start with some easytrails and then slowly move to more challenging ones. Please note that thisis a mountain biking trip and that some prior ability on bikes is a necessity.We will also be rafting down two of the best rivers in New Zealand, themighty Kaituna and the Rangataiki Rivers. We will be hitting some grade4 to 5 rapids and waterfalls as we travel down these awesome rivers. Wewill also take a day learning to surf some nice intermediate waves at Mt.Maunganui Beach and then go off to a traditional Hangi meal to learn moreabout the Maori and their traditions.During that time, we will be staying at two very unique places. The first is atraditional Marae, a traditional and sacred place for the Maori people. This isthe centre of their community’s lifestyle and we are extremely lucky to havethe opportunity to stay there. We will also be spending time camping andbecoming one with nature and the wilderness that we will be exploring.New Zealand’s unique geography and history provides an amazingbackground for the best in fun and physical fitness. It also provides agreat learning environment for course planning, meal organization andpreparation and as well as group awareness. Students will feel a great senseof accomplishment as they acquire new skills, complete confidence-buildingchallenges and make new friends. This is a fantastic course for a genuine,highly active, all around adventure experience in New Zealand.Objectives• Gain a greater understanding of the importance of supportingand encouraging one another, working as a team, through difficultcircumstances, while participating in a grand adventure in arguably oneof the most beautiful places on the planet.• Develop a greater appreciation for one’s ability to exertoneself physically, mentally and emotionally…beyond what one thoughtpossible.• Foster a deeper love for the outdoors, nature and one’s place in theworld.RequirementsPre-Course requirements:• Students will need a strong swimming background and be physically fit.Some previous experience on a bike is extremely important, as everydayincludes approximately 4 to 5 hours of activity. Complete a mandatorysurvival swim test (100 meters non-stop + deep water brick recovery).• Students need to check if they need a visa for New Zealand and acquireit on their own before we leave (passport dependent). Approximately$172 SGDPost-Course requirements:• Parent night presentationSINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL interim semester HANDBOOK 21