Valhalla Camp

08/10/2020

We have loved having 14 ponies and their very clever riders here for the last four days at Valhalla.

Lots of pony rides over the farm utilising various jumps, a little helping the farmer with mustering and loads of tramps, running races, sledding down hills, roasting marshmallows and camping out.

What a great group of kid’s and parents, and gorgeous ponies. Come back soon Jenna Marsh.

06/12/2019

Puketapu school year 3 students had a perfect day today looking at the geology of the ancient and more recent rocks in the river and connecting their journeys down the river to historic eruptions and earthquakes. Great learning. Followed by the obligatory drift down the river on ‘floaty things’ of course. We even saw a large eel who wasn’t at all worried about the crowd in his back yard.
Lovely day. Thanks to Alec for sharing your knowledge, Jane for your organisation, and of course the amazing parents and students. Amber, Richard and whanau you turned on a very special day.

05/03/2019

Napier intermediate couldn’t have chosen better weather to start their school camps this year. First group of tired students, parents and teachers head home this afternoon after their 3 days, the rest of the school follows throughout March. Real learning, native flora and fauna, rivers and the night sky and massive team building opportunities. Thanks to the HB Astronomical Society (http://hbastrosoc.org.nz/pukerangi-observatory/) volunteers who are helping the students learn about the night sky this year. Their observatory is right above the school campsite!

02/02/2019

A Y10 group from Hastings Boys High School will be overnighting at Valhalla 12th February. First time for this school and they have a great programme planned getting to know their strengths.

16/01/2019

Napier Intermediate School students are coming up in March for their biennial camp. The whole school comes up over the month, each group spending three days exploring the river, forests and the night sky and enjoying the ‘back to basics’ way of living. Getting to know their own and each other’s strengths is key learning from this. Looking forward to this year’s stories.

14/08/2018

Some schools already use Valhalla for this way of learning, you could too. Get in touch and we can make it happen.

At 8.45am each Monday, 17 students of Waitawheta class at Waikino School head off into the bush for the day in a unique programme that is helping boost the students’ learning and resilience on the other four days of the week they spend in classrooms.

07/07/2018

Yes, Valhalla Farm has changed ownership but fear not, the wonderful new owners, Amber and Richard Beetham are really excited about the prospect of working with schools and other groups in this area. They have fallen in love with the campsite that we have built over the past 20 years and are serious about continuing the good work. And Alec and I will be there to help out so nothing has really changed for you. Get in touch with us and we will let them know if you want to book a spot with your group.

06/10/2017

Holidays and horses. Valhalla Camp is the perfect place of course :)

03/09/2017

Gordon Hartman has created an inclusive theme park so ALL children can enjoy the outdoor opportunities that have previously only been available to children without additional needs.
A slight upgrade on what our campsite offers perhaps although we do have wheelchair friendly pathways, toilets, and an outdoor sensory classroom so maybe we'll catch up. Perhaps we could add a hose to the list ... :)

Since it opened in 2010, 1 million people have flocked to Morgan's Wonderland, a $70 million ultra-accessible theme park in Texas targeted at people with disabilities.

06/07/2017

Lovely day with everyone from Kowhai seniors today.

29/06/2017

Kowhai students were at Valhalla again this week. This time we explored the quarry looking for fossils and then went sliding down the hill. Great fun, especially the teachers! We finished up planting two kowhai in the native block, a wonderful koha from the students. Love you guys!