5Q4 > Adventure Plus

A mobile adventure program designed to address the contributing factors for youth suicide was set up by Adventists in New Zealand for the first time this year. Through adventure-based learning programs, participants are challenged to work together in a positive environment as they confront their fears and achieve their goals.

1 Who makes up the first adventure plus (ap) team? > (pictured L-R) Jonathan Christian, Cooranbong, Australia; Amy Weslake, Auckland, NZ; Aaron McLeish, Hawera, NZ; Nathan Krause, Washington, DC, USA.

2 how does ap help address the issue of youth suicide? > Our mobile trailer program is called Pinnacle Challenge and it is designed to look at the major contributing factors associated with suicide—low self-esteem, feeling unable to communicate, problems with others, drug and alcohol abuse, and a negative attitude toward life. We utilise a range of activities to challenge the participant both mentally and physically.

3 Where does ap happen? > Adventure Plus is a mobile program, and can be set up almost anywhere. To date, we have travelled from the top to the bottom of New Zealand. Programs are run in schools for both specific year groups or classes, as well as church groups, holiday programs, and STORM Cos.

4 What does an average day hold for the team? > We arrive at the school and set up the program before students arrive. The program engages 20-80 students over the course of the school day. Activities include abseiling, rock climbing, high-wire elements, and a trapeze leap. In-class sessions consist of adventure-based games to highlight the benefits and dynamics of effective communication and a health and wellbeing program that focuses on the benefits of a balanced lifestyle.

5 What’s the best “life changing” moment the team has shared?> The growing crowd in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square cheered as he glanced down from atop the eight-metre platform. Now, after a day of activities on the Pinnacle Challenge, we saw the new-found confidence in this young man leaping down the abseiling wall. That morning we’d met Peter, a short, 12-year-old boy who lacked the self-confidence to participate on the trailer. After some coaxing, our team watched Peter progress through the day with an ever growing awareness of his limitless potential to overcome challenges. Peter became a regular participant during the week we were in Cathedral Square. He holds the record for the most abseil descents by one participant. We lost count at 50.