Terms 1 and 4 (Summer)
Venture Group is the name of Christ's College's outdoors, tramping and mountain-pursuits group. It operates as a summer sport option, with a commitment to exploring the backcountry of Canterbury (and sometimes beyond). Re-established in 2020 after at least a decade of inactivity, the group consists of boys who have a love of the outdoors and have a desire to challenge themselves, push their limits and learn new skills.
The programme is built around weekly day hikes (Saturdays) in Terms 1 and 4 and mid-week fitness and trip-planning sessions. It also merges nicely with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, as Venture Group members can come on overnight or multi-day trips and explore more remote mountain regions.
Adventurous trips are interspersed with closer-to-home activities (during periods of heavy academic loads) such as indoor climbing and rogaining in the Port Hills.
Master-in-Charge: Dr Tom Hawkins – email hidden; JavaScript is required
Venue: Different locations
Training: Weekly day hikes (Saturdays), mid-week fitness and trip-planning sessions
Highlights
Highlights in recent seasons have included:
- Trekking onto the Cameron Glacier
- Watching the sunrise over Kaikoura from Mt Fyffe
- Exploring the upper reaches of the Waimakariri headwaters to the Main Divide of the Alps
- Summiting Avalanche Peak
- Trekking through snow above Castle Hill in mid-summer
