We get dropped off by speedboat partway along the Queen Charlotte track and arrive at Endeavour Inlet to see our new home for the next two months. It’s common to see seals and dolphins on this boat ride through the Sounds! The spectacular wilderness homestead is set right on the Queen Charlotte track, nestled in an intricate web of inlets evocative of a Norwegian fjord. Unpacking bags and settling into the yurts at the homestead is like taking a huge metaphorical load off. There are luscious green mountains, fluffy merino sheep, quirky ‘kiwi’ neighbors, thriving orchards, epic mountain biking, and walking tracks right on the doorstep. Not to mention, the homestead is equipped with bikes, kayaks, and SUPs for exploring!

We will take some time to settle into our new space; finding daily and weekly rhythms. This week is focused on learning all of the sustainable living practices that will flow on through the program. There are daily briefs to manage the homestead together where we get hands-on experience in gardening, worm composting, recycling, feeding the chickens, keeping bees, and planning and creating meals together. We will also work together to develop seasonal projects that might include anything from building a pizza oven and hosting a dinner party to building a greenhouse garden - the choice is yours! The idea is for everyone to try something new, make mistakes, have a laugh, and learn together. There will be a focus on inner care, in which students can find their own routine of yoga, journalling, or self-expression. In a world of fast-paced exposure, this program places value on slowing down and stewarding the land.

We are settling into the homestead, with morning walks on the Queen Charlotte Track, summer swims and picnics, collecting fresh eggs from the chickens, and getting the lay of the land. The learning focus for the week is to get the whole picture about mammal ecology and biodiversity loss specific to New Zealand. One of the major aims in this area is to protect long-tailed bats and other wildlife by trapping predators. Our philosophy is to combine learning with doing in our planned weekly modules. Regional Conservation Trusts will be onsite to teach us about New Zealand’s history and the effects of invasive animals which include pigs, goats, deer, rats, possums, stoats (a kind of naughty weasel), and cats. We will be doing hands-on work that is invaluable to New Zealand’s conservation goals. Undertaking this work is physical, practical, rewarding, and meaningful.

This program is all about asking questions, linking theory and practice, connecting with the land here, and applying the learnings to life back home. We will keep up the daily pulse of sustainable living skills. We will also cook a traditional Maori 'hangi' feast, where produce is cooked in an underground earthen oven. It's also a great time to dive into an elective, whether it's Artistic Expression, Farm to Table exploration, or Plant Uses. There will be an ongoing exploration of self with a Core Curriculum, and exploration of the environment with hands-on activities and interactive facilitated workshops.