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Testimonials
What our clients have to say about Wild Earth Adventures.
Project
K Otago
"Project K Otago has a successful relationship with
Wild Earth Adventures. We are privileged to have such strong
expertise
and organisational capability associated with the Wilderness
Adventure component of our youth development programme,
dedicated to maximising youth potential. Steve ensures that
student participation in the outdoors is highly enjoyable
and incredibly safe, while Emma works tirelessly behind the
scenes managing
all logistical matters. Their committment guarantees a
long standing relationship with the programme. Thanks WEA!"
Recreation Services, University of Otago
Quality experience, fun, sense of adventure and achievement,
safety, and good local knowledge are all important aspects
of any activity. Over the many years University of Otago
Recreation Services have worked alongside Wild Earth Adventures
all of these things have been paramount to the activities
and adventures they have offered and provided to tertiary
students. We appreciate their hard work and "nothing's
a problem" attitude to ensure all events run smoothly
and we look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial relationship.
School of Physical Education, University of Otago
It is a pleasure to craft this testimonial for Wild Earth
Adventures, a developing outdoor education and adventure
recreation & tourism business based in Dunedin. In my
role as coordinator of outdoor education fieldwork at the
University of Otago (1996 through 2004) I have contracted
Wild Earth Adventures to facilitate and to lead courses involving
Bushcraft & Survival, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, River
Rescue training, Sea Kayaking and Tramping.
In every respect Wild Earth Adventures as an organisation
has been great to deal with. Their Directors have dedicated
considerable time to better understanding the philosophical
rationale for outdoor education at the University of
Otago and also to the specific objectives of each course
they have coordinated for us. This has enabled the delivery
of courses in creative and challenging ways, and our students have
been richer for their exposure to Wild Earth Adventures'
programmes and staff. 'Beyond-the-course' functions have
also been appreciated, whereby Wild Earth Adventures'
management have been particularly interested in course reflections
and evaluations, have taken time to again meet with our staff
following each course, have completed administrative
aspects efficiently, and have taken any and all feedback
seriously. I place high value upon the relationship between the
University of Otago and Wild Earth Adventures; a relationship
that has been fuelled by a demonstration of professionalism from
Wild Earth Adventures at every opportunity.
One standout aspect to the Wild Earth Adventures operation
is their commitment to quality. The provision of positive
and rewarding outdoor experiences is at the heart of the
Wild Earth Adventures ethos, though what our students don't
typically see or appreciate is the underpinning of this
quality experience with quality systems... industry recognised
safety management processes, an emergency preparedness, sound
pedagogical programming and sequencing, dedicated administration
and logistical planning, a commitment to staff induction
and development, well maintained specialist equipment and
vehicles, up-to-date concessions to run courses in special
places... the list is exhaustive and reflective of an
organisation committed to providing quality outdoor experiences.
Wild Earth Adventures holds community-oriented values and
is truly committed to the wider 'outdoor' community.
The organisation has done much to support and grow outdoor
education, recreation and tourism across the wider Otago
region and this includes the giving of time and expertise
to organisations and individuals beyond day-to-day core
business. I have particularly appreciated and enjoyed my
interaction
with their Directors' Steve Brown and Emma Ramsey during
the time they have led the business. Wild Earth Adventures
is a 'people' oriented organisation - the fostering
and strengthening of relationships has been and remains
a cornerstone of their business and in this regard both Steve
and Emma are great 'people' advocates.
Finally, and no-less significantly, I have had opportunity
to teach alongside Steve Brown in a variety of contexts
with our University students since 1999. As an outdoor
educator
Steve has much to offer, and I have appreciated his down-to-earth
approach, his subtle sense of humour, his ability to connect
with people from a variety of ages and backgrounds, and
his ease with team teaching. Steve's leadership is informed
by a depth of personal experience and his ongoing commitment
to training and industry assessment / benchmarking across
a range of outdoor activities and pursuits. He is an advocate
for the natural places he works in and takes the time to
arouse appreciations and connections with those places
for his students / clients. Most importantly Steve is not
one to hang his leadership upon providing the short-term adrenaline
fix for those in his charge. He has a gift for fostering
what I would term 'authentic' outdoor education - genuine
experiences that are long-lasting, not centred upon the latest
technology, respectful of the land and others', and
pitched to the level of the participant / learner. With respect
to this testimonial for Wild Earth Adventures as an organisation,
I know well that Steve Brown's personal philosophy
for teaching, leading and instructing in the outdoors permeates
to the core much of what Wild Earth Adventures represents.
I applaud Wild Earth Adventures for their contributions
to outdoor education and adventure recreation / tourism
in Otago thus far and wish the organisation well for what shall
undoubtedly be a bright future.
John Maxted, Senior Teaching Fellow, Outdoor Education
Testimonial
I am happy to unreservedly endorse Wild Earth Adventures
operation. I can do this with complete confidence because
of the extremely positive experiences I have had with this
company over many years. This experience has been as a
participant on trips, working alongside Steve Brown (company
director) as an instructor and having contracted WEA to
provide outdoor education opportunities. In endorsing Wild
Earth Adventures I particularly want to highlight; their
passion and energy for taking people outdoors, their commitment
to providing quality programmes that meet the needs of
the client group and their willingness to 'go the
extra mile' to ensure this happens and their rigorous
safety planning and policies which are carried through
into their practice in the field. My final measure of endorsement
is to state that Wild Earth Adventures is the most professional
organisation I have ever worked with and when they say
they will do it, I know it will be done to a very high
standard.
Annie Dignan
Co-ordinator Outdoor Practicals, School of Physical Education,
University of Otago
Executive of New Zealand Mountain Safety
Council
Education Outdoor New Zealand Executive Representative
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