A ten-week pilot programme encouraging kids to get off their couches, away from the TV and into the great Kiwi outdoors is in progress in Nelson. The Legend Kids Adventure Trust will be launched officially in late October but 45 kids are already sampling what it has to offer. Founder Dulkara Martig, from Nelson, said the overall aim of the trust was “to inspire local kids to embark on a life-long appreciation and love of outdoor recreation and the New Zealand wilderness.”

The 9-10 year olds have been learning a range of skills from map reading and navigation to outdoor first aid and how to use camp cookers safely. The programme culminates in overnight tramping trips in the mountains. “I was pretty sure a few people would be interested in taking part in the pilot”, Dulkara says, “but I wasn’t expecting such a huge response. The phone rang for days and it was hard telling people the programme was full.”

Already working part time in a primary schools sports programme, and operating a sports orientated after-school programme, Dulkara says she was surprised and disappointed to discover that so many kids had never done any trips at all in the region’s national parks. “Children don’t seem to be getting the same experiences these days. There are many other activities that are competing for their spare time and technology dominates. It would be such a shame for kiwi kids to grow up without an appreciation for the fantastic environment we have.”

Mark Brown, principal of Victory Primary School says, “This is an amazing opportunity for some of our young people to experience first-hand the wonderful outdoors with a skilled person who’s passionate about our region. Children from our school have told me they’ve had a fantastic time, especially caving and going tramping in the bush.”

Legend Kids Adventure Trust will run more programmes next term and also a pilot programme for intermediate aged children. More information can be found on the Legend Kids website.

21st September, 2010

For September 2010 we have chosen Mike Ward.

We think Mike is a Local Legend.

You have all probably seen him before. Perhaps he was on his trike somewhere around town and you saw him out your car window. Or maybe he was running along a mountain trail or along the pavement. Or he might have been sitting at his stall at the market. Or making a speech in parliament. Or basking in the sun with his notebook and a pencil.  Mike Ward is a man of many talents – an adventurer, artist, athlete and sometimes a politician – and a proud Nelsonian. He’s proud of our town, our region and of New Zealand.  And he wants to preserve it for you children and the future generations.

In February 2011 he will line up in Kumara, on the West Cost, to complete his 29^th Coast to Coast race…at the age of 68.  He is the only person who has completed every single race since it started. He isn’t the fastest racer. Sometimes he comes in last, when it’s dark and everyone has long finished and headed to bed. But he always makes it in. And Robin Judkins is usually there in a crazy coloured shirt at the finish to congratulate him!

We think he’s a fantastic role model for local children – and adults alike – because of his attitude to life. He cares for our environment more than you could imagine and has dedicated a lot of his time to it. He never gives up and always stands up for what he believes in.

So next time you spot Mike on his trike, or running the streets, or at the market, make sure you stop and give him a big grin and a wave.

“I do like adventures.  I know that if I live to be a thousand it won’t be enough time to do all of the good stuff so I don’t muck around doing pointless things.  In 1990 I raced from North Cape to Bluff and in 1995 I used an air ticket that Robin Judkins gave me for completing my first ten Coast to Coasts to fly to Scotland and race from Balachulish to Aberdein and in February I line up for Coast to Coast number twenty-nine.  I call myself an adventurer… and an artist and an athlete and occasionally I am a politician but it really doesn’t matter whether I am writing a speech or making a Wearable art entry or  a brooch I like to do everything adventurously even the ordinary stuff like talking with people I care about and preparing food..  I am fortunate that my adventures take me to places that remind me that I am very fortunate to live on this quite remarkable planet.  Parents tell me that their children say I am saving the planet when they pass me on my trike.  I am probably just triking down for a coffee but perhaps their children know that it is the ordinary things that people do like spending too much time in their cars or throwing too much stuff away that threatens the planet and our future so I am just tickled to bits that young people are being encouraged to live adventurously and see our wild places because I suspect there are few better ways to make sure they live their lives in ways that are kind to themselves and the planet.”

Mike Ward – adventurer, artist, althete,  politician and  Legendary Nelsonian, 16th September 2010

 Mike Ward, at Kumara Beach (the start of the Coast to Coast race) in 2010.

We like to celebrate those people who give everything their best shot, act with courage and who keep going when the going gets tough. They don’t have to be famous. You might even have a legend living next door. Send us an email to let us know why you think someone is legendary and who knows? They may appear on our Legend Wall of Fame.

Although only in its infancy, our Legend Hall of fame  is where we celebrate people who we think are legendary. We will regularly add to our hall of fame, so be sure to keep an eye on it!

We have 3 categories:

Local legends

Local legends may be living or historic, but they come from our region – the top of the South Island. They don’t have to be famous. They may be living next door! Why not tell us about a Local Legend you know?

Example: Mike Ward

Legends in history

People who are no longer alive. Many of these legends may have changed the world, their community or their country. This may have been in a significant way, or in a simple way. It’s not all about being the loudest most famous person, it’s about making a positive difference to the world and doing nice things for other people.

Example: Sir Edmund Hilary

Living legends

People we can look up to right now, who are doing legendary things right before our eyes. They may be famous, but don’t have to be. These are legends outside of our local region and may come from other places in New Zealand or the world.

Example: Dame Susan Devoy

Some Legends will fit into more than one category.

We want to hear from YOU!

Tell us who you think deserves to be on our Legend Wall of Fame. And you never know..next time you come back, they might be there!

Make sure you let us know their name and tell us why you think they are a legend. Please include your own name and contact details too!

If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact us for an information leaflet.

We hope to make one visit to Whenua-iti during each holiday period and test out some other exciting activities.

Our next big adventure is the pirates Treasure Island Challange on Monday 25th January. Remember to wear your best pirate/jungle costume and be ready for some problem solving, fear-factor challenges and good old fashioned team work. Then on Tuesday we’ll be challenging the ASB program kids in some team games, inluding a big waterfight (we’d better get started on some secret training eh!)

Hope you are enjoying your holidays

We have lots of exciting things in store for 2010. We will be launching the Legend Kids Adventure Club in term 1, which will be aimed at getting children and their families into the great kiwi outdoors. We will be leading outdoor trips, such as overnight camping or tramping trips and also running more local activities like training for the Weetbix Triathlon and visiting the Maitai Caves.  Keep your ears open – details will be posted here and in our first newsletter of 2010!

Our first Christmas and January holiday programmes are packed with exciting activities – be sure to check out what we have planned! Highlights include high rope challenges at Whenua-iti, a pirates Treasure Island Challenge, a big day out with the B-Active kids programme and a visit to Cable Bay.

Make sure you all enter our summertime photo competition – see our competitions page. Photos are due when school goes back in 2010!

We wish you all a fantastic summer holiday and look forward to hearing about your advenutures in the New Year:)

Merry Christmas,

The team at Legend Kids.

In the meantime, however, we will be keeping  you up to date with information on our OSCAR after-school and holiday programmes.

November 2009