As Howick College’s Head of Outdoor Education for 15 years, he has been guiding 25 fully student-led expeditions including Year 9 Camps involving up to 500 students and staff each year into the wild heart of New Zealand, into the forest, up the mountains and down snowy slopes.

The destination, the path, itineries, distance, overnight camps, teams, equipment, meals – one does not want to run out of food, forget lighters or mess up the pasta and sauce! You can imagine students’ intense attention and commitment from day one!

Dave’s function was to make sure that students survived.

His students hold the dearest memories of these times. The bonds last until today. And so does the confidence, the sense of magic and adventure that Dave instilled in his students.

Pedagogues know that adventure and wilderness experience gives us a better appreciation for ourselves, others and the natural environment and enhances our social, mental, physical and spiritual well-being. But schools do not exactly excel at tapping into this potential. We think they should!