You don't need to be super fit to attend any of our expeditions, but we do recommend a reasonable level of fitness. Ideally, you should be able to complete a 3-4 hour hike (with hills) without too much difficulty. Feeling tired or having sore muscles afterwards is normal, that's ok.
If you sign up to one of our expeditions, it might be wise to slowly build up your fitness over the next few months. We suggest going for a long hike (3-6 hours) whenever possible, say every weekend or every second weekend. Regular stretching can help too; there are lots of free yoga videos on YouTube.
The expedition days can be long, but we stop often throughout the day, for meals and snacks and discussions. It is physically demanding, but there is lots of time to rest and recover built into each day.
We believe in the idea of an ‘All-Day Lunch’. This is where we consume food all throughout the day (especially when we are in the backcountry or being really active). Simply put: Lunch starts after breakfast and ends right before dinner.
We also apply this idea of an All-Day Lunch to the cornerstones of E3: Leadership Development, Faith Formation and Creation Care. Instead of discussing these topics once, we look for small moments throughout the day to engage with these topics. This means that we often aren’t moving huge distances in one day, but instead we stop regularly along the way to engage in the Bible, to discuss, to create leadership opportunities, or to stop and marvel at Creation.
Yes, an 11-day expedition can feel long. We do build in a ‘rest day’ into the expedition, but it will still be physically challenging. But it will be worth it.
E3 Bay of Islands, E3 Canterbury and E3 Otago are designed for students who have just completed Year 12 or Year 13.
E3 Young Adults is designed for school leavers aged 19-25.
All of the E3 expeditions are designed to encourage you to reflect on the opportunities and possibilities of life after high school. We will give you the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, explore your faith and engage in practical nature conservation.
When you register, you will be sent a really specific gear list for your specific E3 expedition.
Pay attention to this list and get prepared as early as possible, so that you figure out which items you already have access to, and which items you might need to borrow or buy.
We are happy to lend you a lot of items. We have large supplies of clothing (including waterproof gear) so we can let you borrow lots of gear.
If you’re not sure, PLEASE reach out and ask us. ASK EARLY! Not the week before your expedition starts.
If you are buying a new piece of clothing or gear for yourself, we can give you advice on what to buy. Trial any gear that you buy, so that you are sure it works (gear) and is comfortable (clothing, boots).
One top tip: Think carefully about what you will wear on your feet. Boots are perhaps the most important piece of gear you will use. Wear them before the expedition to make sure they are comfortable and don’t rub anywhere.
This is normal and is nothing to worry about! While people occasionally do bring a friend, most people turn up on the first day not knowing anyone else in the group. Good on you for having the courage to do this! You will make friends quickly.
Being together for 11 days allows us to build some very meaningful friendships and create a deep feeling of community amongst the group.
So, if you do decide to register without knowing anyone else who is going ... good on you for taking this bold step! You will not be alone.
North Island expeditions meet at Adventure Specialties Trust's office in Henderson, Auckland, and travel together from there.
South Island expeditions meet at Adventure Specialties Trust's office in Woolston, Christchurch, and travel together from there.
If you are flying or catching a train to Auckland or Christchurch, we can arrange to pick you up from the airport or train station. (E3 Otago also has the option of airport pick up from Wanaka or Queenstown).
Once you register for an E3 expedition, you will be sent info about travel options for that specific expedition. Please let us know your travel plans then.
Get in touch with our SUNZ Camps team if you have any questions about this that you want answered before you register.
We provide plenty of food on all E3 expeditions. No one goes hungry. The menu is carefully prepared well in advance, including any dietary needs. During the expeditions, we will often cook in small groups of 3 or 4 using camping stoves (all equipment is provided).
There will be lots of fruit and veggies, however we may eat less meat than you are used to, due to prioritising food hygiene and working around the challenge of keeping food fresh without electricity. However, all your nutritional needs will be well covered.
E3 is a wilderness journey that is designed to allow you the opportunity to connect with Creation, with the Creator and with each other. This means that we are often sleeping in remote and beautiful places, with few of the comforts of home.
For the most part we will be in tents, with no electricity or hot showers. Occasionally, we might sleep in a DOC hut or other remote building.
We guarantee that there will be sufficient food, water and shelter. But experiencing the wilderness without the comforts of home is one of the highlights of these expeditions and a big part of the feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment that you experience at the completion of the trip!
Our E3 expeditions are led by experienced outdoor instructors who always have access to up-to-date weather forecasts and rain radars, so they are able to adjust the expedition plans accordingly.
The weather is one of the most influential factors on E3. The weather often determines what happens each day, where we go and where we end up.
However, bad weather doesn’t mean that the expedition will grind to a halt. Even if the weather is unfavorable, we are often still able to keep moving. Getting wet while hiking, kayaking or mountain biking is a possibility, but we plan for this by packing good quality waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and appropriate equipment (like splash jacket in kayaks). Plus, we have hot drinks and dry clothing available at the end of the day.
Where are the E3 staff from? What qualifications do they have?
E3 expeditions are led by staff from Adventure Specialties Trust, Scripture Union NZ and A Rocha Aotearoa (the three charitable organisations that run E3).
You are in very safe hands!
Each expedition will be led by qualified outdoor instructors who are highly experienced and First Aid-trained.
The number of staff may change, depending on the size of the group, but we usually have teams of three instructors. Two of these instructors will hold the relevant qualification and experience to allow them to safely lead the activity we are doing (rafting or kayaking, mountain biking, tramping/bush skills).
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
We operate under the Safety Management Systems of Adventure Specialties Trust. They have a comprehensive Safe Operating Procedures for every activity, including driving, camping, staying overnight, food and water safety, as well as the adventurous activities (kayaking, rafting, hiking, mountain biking). Their Safety Management System has been externally audited by Adventure Mark, New Zealand’s largest adventure certification body. They are also externally audited by WorkSafe New Zealand, under their Adventure Activities Regulations. For more information, please visit: https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/safety-and-compliance/
OUTDOOR INSTRUCTING QUALIFICATIONS
Our instructors have qualifications from the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) which is the governing body in New Zealand for all outdoor instructing qualifications. The NZOIA Qualifications recognise our performance and experience leading/instructing/guiding groups, in a given activity or environment.
NZOIA qualifications are recognised and respected throughout New Zealand as the industry standard. For more info on NZOIA qualifications, please see their website (www.nzoia.org.nz)
If a wilderness expedition is a new experience for you, it is very normal to have feelings that could be new or unfamiliar. These could include feeling homesick, feeling tired or sore, struggling to cope physically, or struggling mentally or emotionally. These are all normal and healthy emotions.
You will not be alone. We will be there to support you.
It is normal to feel a range of different emotions when you’re in an unfamiliar environment. We want you to know that you are allowed to feel that way and we will support you, but please don’t keep those feelings to yourself.
We often find that, when those thoughts and feelings are shared, it can change your perspective of E3. It can be an opportunity for you to grow, to discover your strengths, to feel supported by the group, and to realise that you are capable of achieving more than you thought was possible.
We are excited to start this adventure with you!
Go to the E3 journey that you want to register for, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the red “Register Now” button.
E3 Bay of Islands: https://sunz.org.nz/event/bay-of-islands/
E3 Canterbury: https://sunz.org.nz/event/canterbury/
E3 Otago: https://sunz.org.nz/event/otago/
E3 Young Adults: https://sunz.org.nz/event/young-adults/
There may be financial assistance available for families on low incomes or families with several children attending SUNZ camps.
Please contact us to enquire (camps@sunz.org.nz).
Well done! We are excited to have you join us.
After you register, the SUNZ Camps team will send you several emails which will contain lots of useful information about what gear to pack, timelines, who to talk to if you have questions, travel logistics and more.
If you have any questions, please ask as soon as possible. Please don’t leave it too late, so that we have lots of time to sort out any issues, so that you have the best expedition experience possible.
For queries about activities, gear or transport, please contact
Paul Humphreys (paul.h@sunz.org.nz or 027-520-3513)
For queries about registration and all other enquiries, please contact
Donna Beech (camps@sunz.org.nz or 04-928-0272)
