Holiday Programmes
Our Programmes
INVERCARGILL | GORE | OTAUTAU
!!! NEXT HOLIDAYS - SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER !!!
!! EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS available for 72 hours only!!
ENDS MIDNIGHT 8th SEPTEMBER
During the holidays we offer days filled with fun, discovery and adventure in nature while learning bushcraft and survival skills:
We have options to suit all ages and programmes vary each holidays:
CHILD VS WILD A MULTI day adventurous survival quest
BUSH KIDS: A ONE day bushcraft experience with True in Nature
A WILD DAY OUT - A fun and challenging day of bushcraft and survival (11-16).
We also offer in some holidays:
TEEN VS WILD- An action packed 3 day venture full of bushcraft, physical and mental teamwork challenges for (11-16).
NATURAL CREATORS - Creating with natural materials and cooking with wholesome foods. For ages (5 - 16)
BUSH, MAKE & BAKE - combining natural creators and bush kids. (5-16)
Our SAPLINGS programme is aimed at 5-7 year olds with a caregiver to enjoy connecting in nature while learning new skills.
A WILD FAMILY DAY is for the whole family, to connect and have fun.
Activities will include some of the following depending on the venue, group’s needs, group dynamics and of course the weather and season!! There will be variation each day.
Fire starting* and cooking (*only available at certain locations)
Knife work, whittling, carving
Shelter Building
Bush exploration, navigation, orienteering, foraging
Nature inspired arts and crafts
Cooking wholesome and nutritious food
Learning about animals and plants
Survival skills and much much more
If your child thrives in the outdoors and it brings out the best in them our in term time Bush School may be right up their alley
SPRING Holiday Programme | September/ October 2026
CHILD vs WILD: 7 - 13 year olds
[MULTI DAYS, 8.45am-3pm] INVERCARGILL
A multi day adventure Quest
Carried out in a variety of stunning locations. (Based around Invercargill). Children will spend THE FIRST fun and exciting days learning, acquiring and mastering essential bush craft and survival skills including survival first aid in anticipation of the final challenge.
On the last day they will set off to work together in mini teams on their quest to solve puzzles, survive the course and put their newly learnt or advanced skills to use in the ultimate survival team challenges!
We will venture to the bush, beach, estuary and forest
Details of the challenge will only be revealed on the day!!!
This is NOT overnight!!!
DATES: 28th Sep - 1st October 4 days ($299)
5th Oct - 7th October 3 days ($225)
8.45am - 3pm. INVERCARGILL ONLY
PRICE: As above
AGES: 7-13 year olds. *other ages considered please email us prior to booking
DISCOUNT: For a sibling discount enter coupon code SIBLINGS at the checkout or remember your VIF early bird code
Limited to 15 children
NATURAL ‘Cooking’ CREATORS: 5-16 year olds
[1 DAY: 8.45am-3pm] INVERCARGILL
A creative cooking experience
Bring your children for a hands-on day of food preparing, cooking and eating! Guided by Geraldine from - The Ferment Kitchen, children will prepare, cook, taste, and share simple, nourishing food while building confidence in the kitchen.
At the end of the day, children will leave inspired, capable, and excited to recreate healthy meals and snacks at home.
DATES: Thursday 8th October
PRICE: $86 per child per day (all food included for the day - no need to provide lunch boxes)
DISCOUNT: For a sibling discount enter coupon code SIBLINGS at the checkout.
When booking multiple days enter 2PLUSDAYS as the coupon code for a discount.
or Remember your VIF early bird code which is a greater discount than the above
Limited Spaces
BUSH KIDS: 5-16 year olds
[Single days, 8.45am-3pm] INVERCARGILL and GORE
A one day bushcraft and survival day experience.
Activities will include some of the following depending on the venue, group’s needs, group dynamics and of course the weather and season!! There will be variation each day.
Fire starting*and cooking (*only available at certain locations)
Knife work, whittling, carving
Shelter Building
Bush exploration, navigation, orienteering, foraging
Nature inspired arts and crafts
Cooking wholesome and nutritious food
Learning about animals and plants
Survival skills and much much more
DATES: various dates and locations, see below
PRICE: $77 per child per day
AGES: *5-16 year olds
*5/6 year olds must be capable of bush toileting themselves, getting in and out of wet weather gear and capable of walking up to 2km (over the day - interspersed with games and food)
DISCOUNTS: For a sibling discount enter coupon code SIBLINGS at the checkout
Use coupon code 2PLUSDAYS at the checkout when booking multiple days
or Remember your VIF early bird code which is a greater discount than the above
If your child LOVES the outdoors and thrives with hands on learning opportunities - our very successful BUSH SCHOOL programme maybe exactly what they need to bring out the best in them, unlock their potential and give them the confidence boost that they can use in all areas of learning and life. One day per week during the school term.
Calendar Overview for Spring Holidays 2026
Monday 28th October -Thur 1st October [4 days, not overnight] - CHILD VS WILD (7-13), Invercargill
Friday 2nd October - BUSH KIDS (5-16) GORE
Monday 5th October -Wed 7th October [3 days, not overnight] - CHILD VS WILD (7-13), Invercargill
Mon - Wed: 5th, 6th, 7th July - BUSH KIDS (5-16) Invercargill
Thursday 8th October - NATURAL COOKING CREATORS (5-16) Invercargill
Friday 9th July - BUSH KIDS (5-16) Invercargill
A WILD DAY OUT: 11-16 year olds
[1 DAY: 10am-3pm] INVERCARGILL
WILD AND GAME – A Gourmet Bush Cooking Adventure for Teens
Calling all teens who love fire, food, and the freedom of the outdoors—this one's for you!
We’re heading outdoors for a day centred around connection, creativity, and cooking up some serious flavour over the open fire.
Whether it’s a forgotten packet of hare steaks, rabbit, venison, whitebait, trout, or even leftover mince—we’re inviting everyone to bring along something wild, foraged, hunted (or just from the depths of the freezer!) and transform it into gourmet bush kai.
Think wild burgers, sizzling skewers, and creative fire-side feasts.
What makes this day really special?
It’s the way teens come together—hands busy, minds curious, and spirits high. There’s something beautiful about watching them collaborate, share skills, and whip up incredible meals from the simplest ingredients. This is what true interdependence looks like: learning from each other, leaning in, and laughing lots as they try new foods, experiment with new flavours and no doubt become part of a chilli or jalepeno challenge!
This experience is exclusive to our more capable bush lads and lassies and is aimed for the older age group.
What to Bring:
Any wild, foraged, or freezer-rescued ingredients
Favourite toppings and embellishments
An open mind and a hearty appetite
A sense of adventure!
We will of course provide something that your child can cook if you don’t have anything lurking at the bottom of the freezer!
DATES: Not Available in July
PRICE: $75 per child per day
DISCOUNT: For siblings: enter SIBLINGS in the coupon code.
When booking multiple days over the holidays enter 2PLUSDAYS as the coupon code at checkout
or WITHAFRIEND if you are signing up with a mate
Limited to 15 teens/ preteens
Our SAPLINGS Programme
Come and enjoy a special day with your child or grandchild.
Some quality time, just the two of you, out exploring in nature and trying new things.
This day has been created for families with younger children in mind. Saplings who are emerging explorers yet still need a little more guidance.
Enthusiastic for experiencing the arts of whittling and the joy of cooking in the fire as well as exploring the forest and playing games. You will enjoy a day of just being with your child alongside them as they discover new skills.
You will also be gifted the opportunity to marvel and relish in your child’s capabilities and join them in their joy and wonder.
(Babies welcome, Toddlers can become a difficulty to manage around these activities)
Dates tbc next holidays/ weekend
10am - 3pm
The price is $75 per Adult AND Child - Additional participating children will be $30 for the day.
Limited to 15 Children
“If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them out of their chairs”.
- Nicolette Sowder