Camps are an integral part of the Raphael House learning journey — a living expression of our vision to spark a lifelong passion for learning through a holistic curriculum journey. Each camp is carefully designed to meet the developmental stage of our students, supporting their growing independence, resilience, and connection with each other and the natural world.
From the wonder and discovery of the first overnight experiences in the lower school, through to the challenge and adventure of tramping, sailing, or service-based journeys in the high school, our camps offer rich opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. In these shared experiences, students strengthen their will, deepen their relationships, and gain a sense of belonging and purpose that cannot be taught through books alone.
Grounded in the Waldorf-Steiner approach, our camp programme fosters courage, cooperation, and reverence for the environment — nurturing the whole human being: head, heart, and hands. These experiences stay with our students for life, shaping not only what they know, but who they are becoming.
| Class and Venue | Key Themes | Key Skills | Key Experiences |
| Class 3 Camp Kaitoke | Links to farming Main lesson, Moving towards independence | Physical skills | Overnights away from home, team building, managing the unknown |
| Class 4 Camp Castlepoint | Local history, local stories, Self-management | Walking long distances, Gear preparation, Meal preparation | Te Wheke cave, Local stories, Rock Pools, Lighthouse |
| Class 5 Camp Olympics | Autonomy, Responsibility, Independence, Overcoming difficulties | Athletic skills-javelin, discuss, jumping, running, Gear care | Greek main lesson, Greater independence & responsibility |
| Class 6 Camp Pinnacles Camp | Geology, Self Responsibility | Appropriate gear, long walks, cooking, first aid, boundary pushing | Pinnacles walk through Ruakokoputuna Gorge |
| Class 7 Camp Whanganui | Age of Exploration, Nutrition, Greater Independence | Sailing, cooking, tenting, First Aid | Sailing, Cooking, tenting |
| Class 8 Camp Tomokanga | Autonomy, Responsibility, Independence, Overcoming difficulties | Tramping, fire lighting, fire cooking, tenting,rafting | Tramping, Childhood token, Letter writing, fireside conversation |
| Class 9 Camp Tongariro | Group Responsibility, Observation, Overcoming difficulties | Alpine Tramping, camping, group cooking, tenting, nutrition | Tongariro Crossing, Lakes-Springs Walks |
| Class 9 Farm Experience | Billeting | Farm Work | Extended trip away-fortnight working on a farm |
| Class 10 Whanganui River | Sense of place, pepeha, waiata, nga pakiwaitara, NZ history | Paddling, swimming, tenting, cooking | Paddling, Team work, Te Ao Maori |
| Class 10 Surveying | Surveying Main lesson | Mathematical Surveying | Mathematical Surveying |
| Class 11 Abel Tasman | Leadership, Independence | Tramping, camping, cooking, map work, route plotting | Team work, tramping |
| Class 12 Rites of Passage | Kawa, tikanga, | Travelling, food gathering, hangi, | food sharing , tramps, reflections evening |