New adventurers take on Outward Bound

 

Two Mangawhai teenagers have won the chance to begin their new year with travel, adventure and challenging experiences.

Mahurangi College Year 11 student Danika Perkinson and Lachlan Ewing, Year 12 at Rodney College, have been awarded Outward Bound scholarships valued around $5000 each, by Mangawhai Club in partnership with the Mangawhai Focus newspaper.

The 21 days of mind, body and soul challenge in January 2017, begins in the wilderness of the Marlborough Sounds where participants test themselves with a wide range of activities including tramping, sailing, white-water kayaking, high-rope walks, solo camping, sleeping rough and pre-dawn wake up calls.

Club president Colin Wintle and new manager Steve Shields held a presentation for the two 16-year-olds to receive their travel packs at the Club on December 8.

“The selection panel, Philip Smith and Yvette Urlich, believe Danika and Lachlan will gain a lot of personal benefit from Outward Bound,” Shields says. “As well as being great ambassadors for Mangawhai.”

Shields himself took part in an OB two years ago and says it was ‘amazing stuff… a spiritual experience.’

Lachlan’s father, Rob Ewing, accepted the pack on his son’s behalf, as the future 2017 Head Boy of Rodney College was currently tramping through the Waikaremoana ranges, in pursuit of his gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Rob says Lachlan received the news with characteristic cool and calm but was ‘pretty chuffed’ about being selected.

“We’re very proud, it will be a good thing for him,” he says. “Anyone who has done it that I’ve spoken to remembers the experience well… it’s a highlight in their lives.”

When applying for the scholarship Danika says she never expected to be chosen but just thought she would ‘give it a go’ anyway.

“When I was told I got this big rush of adrenaline… was in shock,” she says. “Then I got really excited as it sunk in.”

Danika and Lachlan are both high academic achievers, have leadership roles in sports and cultural groups, work part-time, volunteer for a range of community projects and are working on attaining the gold award for the Duke of Edinburgh, having already accomplished bronze and silver.

However, the selectors make their decisions not only based on achievements but also on who would benefit the most from the OB experience. How applicants handle disappointment and understand their own personal limitations such as fear of heights, being alone for example, are major factors in the deciding process.

Musically talented Danika, who sings and plays a variety of instruments including guitar, drums and bass says recently she has developed ‘a weird fear’ of the ocean despite being a confident swimmer and kayak enthusiast.

“I feel Outward Bound will help me to overcome it,” she says. “I’m also the shy one out of my siblings and I think being in a new environment will help.”

Both teens express excitement at meeting new like-minded people and see OB as a chance to enhance their leadership and team building skills. Lachlan says he is aspiring to work in management and political areas after graduating from college and views OB as ‘a golden opportunity’ for his aspirations.

“I see myself as an extrovert,” he says. “The chance to meet… learn and grow from… new driven youths like myself is very appealing,”

PRESENTATION: Keen to take on the challenge; Danika Perkinson receives her Outward Bound ticket to adventure along with Rob Ewing, Lachlan’s father, from Club Manager Steve Sheilds.