Duke of Edinburgh Sacred Heart Lower Hutt

After sharing about the differences between being a pilgrim and being a tourist, I was invited to join the Sacred Heart Students from Lower Hutt on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh tramp in the Queen Charlotte Sounds. What an opportunity to put my fitness and strength skills into action. This was a very well-organized event, with groups of us being dropped off at different places along the route. Kath [organizer] and I were at Camp Bay to receive groups and to walk to the next campsite with others. There were times of encouraging those students who were finding the going tough and other times of celebrating the ascent of a rather steep climb. All in all, students learnt to co-operate together, to cook in camping style and to dig deep and find their endurance. It was a great opportunity for me to invite the students to see the “in the moment” of the journey is just as important as reaching their destination. To notice the enchanting fantails, and the majesty of the open seas and mountains was a joy to share. I feel very grateful to have been a part of this pilgrimage with young students in this Year of Hope.
Anne Sklenars