Holiday Programmes

Each of our holiday programmes are led by qualified and passionate MERC staff who are dedicated to our vision of providing life changing marine environmental education and outdoor experiences for young New Zealanders.

Our holiday programme adventures provide your son/daughter with the opportunity to experience a MERC mission. MERC missions are themed around marine and land-based adventures. These missions can include a variety of activities and are dependent on conditions and group dynamics. 

Standard Holiday Programme 

• 7-13 years
• Activities commence at 9.00am and conclude at 4.00pm
• A regular session costs $56 per child per day with drop offs available from 8:00am and pick-ups until 4:30pm
• Early drop-offs from 7.30am-8.00am are charged an additional $5 per person
• Late pick-ups from 4.30pm-6.00pm are charged an additional $10 per person

Please click here to get more information about the programme including what to bring. 

Please note that MERC do not offer refunds or day swaps for the School Holiday Programme.
Payment is required within 2 hours of bookings being made to secure spaces - please see MERC's updated Terms and Conditions through EnrolMy. 

Blake Nga Rangatira mo apopo - Leaders for Tomorrow

Participants will learn about the infamous leadership principals of one of Aotearoa/New Zealand’s greatest -Sir Peter Blake and the interconnectedness of our ecosystems. You will work alongside our experienced team to develop your knowledge/skills in different outdoor settings. These skills will then be used to design and run an outdoor experience for school-aged kids to be presented during MERC’s school holiday programme.

• 16-18 years 
• 5 day residential camp - 30 September until 4 October 2024
• $650 per participant
• Gear hire available for an additional cost

Please click here to get more information about the programme including what to bring. 

Boating Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD)

Have your kids join us on a voyage of discovery on our BOLD (Boating Outdoor Leadership Development) during the upcoming school holidays. BOLD is an opportunity for your kids to learn about themselves and leadership through the adventure of sailing.

• 10-13 years 
• Opportunity to book in for a single day through to the entire week - 7-11 October
• Early drop-offs from 7.30am-8.00am are charged an additional $5 per person
• Late pick-ups from 4.30pm-6.00pm are charged an additional $10 per person

Please click here to get more information about the programme including what to bring. 

Blake Haerenga - Karepiro Bay Multi-Night Experience (Week 1 or 2)

Come along for a three-day exploration of Karepiro Bay with two nights camping at Dacre Cottage. Our mode of transport will depend on various weather conditions. These options may include sailing, sea kayaking and/or tramping. During the journey, participants will learn how to be safe and self-sufficient in the outdoors. This will be achieved by following best practice guidelines including trip planning, packing appropriately, navigating on the moana or whenua, and camp-craft skills. This trip is open to the public but can be leveraged as an opportunity to complete your Bronze Qualifying Journey through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

• 13-17 years
• Opportunity to book in for Week 1 (1-3 October) or Week 2 (8-10 October)
• Early drop-offs from 7.30am-8.00am are charged an additional $5 per person
• Late pick-ups from 4.30pm-6.00pm are charged an additional $10 per person

Please click here to get more information about the programme including what to bring. 

Testimonials

“My daughter does many holiday programs and extracurriculars, she has consistently said her merc days were by far her favourite. I also feel she is safe with the staff that lead the kids”. - Noreen R. 

“Best value holiday program with the most uplifted, energetic and welcoming team. We travelled a distance to attend and will be back next term! Have already made recommendations to several others to attend”- Andrea B.

“Thank you for providing a great, local school holiday programme option. My 12 year old came back and said his day was an 8.5 out of 10 - which I was thrilled with considering all he wants to do at the moment is spend the day inside on screens! Your staff engage with the age group really well and you provide a great range of outdoors activities that challenge the kids enough to keep them interested and wanting more. Please pass along our appreciation to all your hard working team." - Keryn G.