Arataki Sleepover

Go to sleep to the sound of ruru (morepork) and wake up to the sound of tūī!

Combine two days of programmes with a sleepover and a guided night walk with other home educated families and this is going to be a great event!

- Youth must be over 8 years old to attend.
- We will be split into 2 groups according to age on the day to do activities in.

Our sleepover program will consist of some fun and educational workshops as well as time to go through the centre:

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Workshop information:
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Wai Care
Using scientific Wai Care equipment students investigate the health of the Arataki stream, testing temperature, clarity, dissolved oxygen, pH and macroinvertebrates. 

Learning about water catchments they will decide whether the stream is healthy or not, and discover what actions they can take to protect and restore precious awa.

Students and teachers can then borrow a Wai Care kit and test the health of their local stream.
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Outdoor Challenge
Students learn about keeping safe and having fun through practical hands-on activities. 

They have a go at pitching tents, making stretchers and cooking sausages, and get the low-down on tramping, packing and what to do when things go wrong. Includes team building opportunities.
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Nature Trail
Guided walk learning about and meeting our native biodiversity, with a variety of hands-on activities along the way.

The forest is brought to life as students journey around this wondrous 'pathway to learning', their interaction with the environment is facilitated by passionate and knowledgeable rangers.

Each walk is different as we tailor programmes to suit specific learning needs. Our topics include native birds, invertebrates, adaptation, plant identification, traditional use of the forest, the legacy of logging, forest communities, stratification, forest succession, decay and recycling, pest management and the impact of humans and threats to the forest.
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About Arataki Visitors Centre:
At the visitor centre, interactive displays, colourful stories and powerful images bring the history and ecology of the area to life.

Amidst the calls of many native birds, students learn about the European settlers who came in search of kauri. They also learn about the local iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki, whose ancestral guardians keep watch with magnificent pou throughout the building. 

Live geckos, wētā and stick insects are part of a hands-on activity space, which includes a microscopic camera to encourage students to make their own discoveries.



IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM ARATAKI VISITORS CENTRE:
(you will be asked to agree you have read and understand with your booking)

- Youth must be over 8 years old and over to attend.

- Parents or supervising adults are responsible for the behaviour of youth and will have an active role to play during the programme. Your educators on the sleepover will explain these responsibilities on the day.

- Please bring your own first aid kit and carry it at all times.  We also recommend bringing EpiPens in case of anaphylaxis, as they are not available at our Experience Centres.  Sunhats, shoes and sunscreen are a must have. Raincoats are advisable. Please advise us of any special medical/behavioural needs upon arrival.

- Due to fire regulations only a maximum of 55 people can stay overnight at Arataki, including all students, teachers and adults. Only the registered people can attend. Please do not bring extra siblings or adults.

- Everyone must help with clean up to leave the facilities the way they were.

-Kitchen and BBQ facilities are available for self-catering. Mattresses are provided for marae style sleeping. Bring your own sleeping bags. The ablution block has basic facilities only.

- The majority of tracks in the Waitakere Ranges are closed due to kauri dieback disease.  Please make sure all students, teachers and adults have clean shoes before arrival in the park. More Information

- The Arataki Education team and Te Kawerau ā Maki have been developing tikanga practices, that we will share with you throughout your visit.  This includes karakia at the start and end of the day, a welcoming mihi, and time for whanangatanga during morning tea.  Tūrangawaewae connects visitors to the whenua, which we encourage through introducing all groups to the tupuna (ancestors) on the Arataki pou.  We welcome any response that your group may like to give, which could include your own karakia, waiata and/or pepeha. 

Documents to read:
- Experience Centre Risk Assessment: Arataki & Karamatura Valley
- Arataki Sleepover: What to bring
- Arataki Sleepover: Local Medical Providers
- Arataki Sleepover: Building Warden Responsibilities
- Arataki Sleepover: Extra Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE LEARNERS EVENTS:
(you will be asked to agree you have read and understand with your booking)

Check in: This is a self check in event.
You will need to sign in your groups booking when you arrive at the event.

Group Minimums: There is a minimum amount of tickets that need to purchased on most events (set by the venue). If this event fails to reach the minimum amount of tickets booked before the last day of registration; the event will be cancelled and refunded. 

Communication and updates about Life Learners Events: updates will be emailed via the events website (Humanitix), posted on the event booking page and the Facebook Events Page. Please ensure you are keeping up to date on this information and check the event booking page the day before your event for any updates.

General Information
Payments
Refunds, Cancellations & Transfers