Wellderness Journeys
The story and theory behind it all
Where the journey started
About Wellderness
Company Director and lead guide, Steve Hodkinson, comes from a background in both Outdoor Education and Wellbeing & Resilience training. With 20 years experience working in schools across the globe, thousands of outdoor education trips, a Masters in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Wellbeing, Steve decided to combine his passions into one ground breaking company - Wellderness, wellbeing journeys.
Steve says “The feedback from our initial trips was phenomenal, it gave us the drive and motivation to work through the logistical challenges that a venture like this must overcome”.
The benefit of being in nature
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread."
- Edward Abbey, 'Desert Solitaire'.
We all know it, we feel better when we have spent time in nature. Recently scientists have tried to find out why. Hundreds of studies have identified the benefits of spending time in nature; recovery from illness, improved mood, reduced blood pressure, heart rate and stress, improved memory and increased connection, to name but a few.
At Wellderness we believe time in nature is fundamental to positive wellbeing. It is the backbone of our courses and we promise you will leave us wanting more.
Our courses are designed to...
Our courses are designed to take you on a physical and mental journey filled with learning, connection and laughs. During the course we will empower you to be more aware of your wellbeing and to take action which benefits you, your whanau and your colleagues. Wellderness courses work on the basis of "we do real". As you journey through nature by foot, raft, ski or bike, remember Henry Ford's advice, "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realise this".
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What is Wellderness?
At Wellderness, everything we do comes from a genuine love of the outdoors and what it can offer us as individuals and communities.
We take you, your team, or whānau, into the outdoors and guide them through a Wellbeing Journey. The two or three day trip involves travelling through some of the most beautiful and stunning scenery in New Zealand, using rafts, feet, kayaks, bikes or even skis. On your journey you will learn and experience a range of wellbeing strategies and tools whilst developing strong connections with those around you.
Wellderness courses are driven by our business values:
Awe
We reveal the wonder
Experience
We create memorable moments
Exploration
We challenge people to go somewhere new
Connection
We provide the space to discover connections
Authenticity
We do real
