Download a PDF of the 2013 Interim Semester Handbook.

The Finest Walk in the WorldEA12The MilfordTrack,New ZealandeCO ADVENTURESponsorCraig OlsenKristin O’ConnorPriceS$4,000Course Length8 daysPost-Interim Experience:Online Reflections andprojectsCourse Difficulty:Rigorous Adventure,Students must be physicallyfitDescriptionThe focus of this experience will be the Milford Track, hailed by manyguidebooks as “The finest walk in the world.” The Track runs through theWorld Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park, following the Clinton andArthur Rivers for much of its 54 kilometer (33 mile) length from the headof Lake Te Anau to the Milford Sound on the Tasman Sea. The track isrenowned for its glacially-carved valleys, alpine flowers, snow-capped peaksand spectacular waterfalls. En route, trampers will cross the spectacularMacKinnon Pass at 1073 meters (3520 feet) and pass the towering SutherlandFalls, one of the highest waterfalls in the world. Students will experience fourdays on the Track, hiking around six hours per day.Accommodations on the Track will be in huts with gas-burning stoves forheating, a common room for cooking and dining and as well as communalbunk rooms. Students will backpack-in food and cooking utensils andbackpack-out all rubbish. They will also be assigned cooking and clean-upduties.Students and parents should anticipate extra expenses to prepareadequately for this course in terms of appropriate equipment.The following items are required for this interim:A medium weight trekking jacket. A pair of trekking boots or shoes. A pack(suitable for a 3-4 day trek - about 55- 65 L) A sleeping bag (preferably onethat takes little space – we are sleeping indoors so it need only be ratedto about a min of 10 degrees C or 50 degrees F). A lightweight waterproofraincoat and rain pants.Special Notes:1. You can rent the following equipment in NZ for a total cost of approx. S$150Pack, sleeping bag, rain pants, hiking poles.2. The Milford Track is a physically demanding experience. To get the most out ofthis interim you need to be physically fit enough to trek a total of 54 km (33 miles)with a fully loaded pack for 6 to 8 hrs a day for three days.Objectives• To study firsthand the natural history and ecology of New Zealand,especially the Fiordland National Park at the tip of the South Island andto experience some of the most unspoiled and magnificent landscapesin the world, along one of the safest walking tracks in the country.• To offer a rewarding physical challenge, that will also build teamspirit,leadership and enhance personal confidence.RequirementsPre-Course requirements:• Participate in all pre-interim activities and meetings set by the sponsors.Post-Course requirements:• Each participant will complete a digital reflection for our interim website.• Each participant will collaborate within a small group, to produce adigital project for our interim website.SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL interim semester HANDBOOK 23