certificate-adventure-and-nature-based-youthwork-level-4

Programme Structure

The New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 4) with Adventure and Nature-Based Approach is made up of three courses that build your skills progressively. Each course blends theory, reflection, practice, and experiential learning suitable for emerging or practising youth workers.

CYD401: Adventure-Based Youth Work Fundamentals

You will explore the foundations of adventure-based youth development, including:

Professional practice and reflective development

Understanding the impacts of colonisation on youth work in Aotearoa

Adolescent development and the theory behind adventure-based approaches

This course helps you develop safe, ethical, and culturally aware youth work practice.

CYD402: Developing Youth Potential

You will learn how to build and maintain supportive, professional relationships with rangatahi, with a focus on:

Creating safe psychological and cultural environments

Practising youth-centred communication

Supporting young people’s wellbeing and engagement

This course strengthens your ability to work confidently and respectfully with youth from diverse backgrounds.

CYD403: Lead Adventure-Based Youth Development Activities

You will learn how to plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate adventure-based youth development experiences, including:

Designing sessions that align with youth development principles

Managing risk in low-to-moderate adventure activities

Facilitating meaningful learning and reflection for rangatahi

This course equips you to confidently lead safe, purposeful adventure-based activities.

Time Commitment

This programme is designed to be achievable for people who are studying while working or supporting whānau. You can expect the following workload:

Weekly learning tasks: Approximately 2–3 hours, varying week to week

Online classes: 1.5-hour session every two weeks

Residential workshop: A compulsory 3-day overnight workshop in Auckland (dates provided after enrolment)

You will also complete assessments throughout the qualification based on real-world youth work practice.

Course aims

​The aim of this programme is to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to support the development of young people through adventure, recreation, nature, and activity-based programmes.  This program is designed for people working or volunteering in the youth development sector who are interested in developing activity, recreation, and adventure-based approaches to youth development.

The programme benefits the youth work sector by providing youth workers who have the knowledge, skills, and attitude to use activity-based programmes with youth.

Qualification Purpose

​The purpose of this qualification is to provide the youth work sector with people equipped with the broad operational and theoretical knowledge, skills, and attitude to work with youth. ​Graduates will support the social and cultural aspirations of Māori and Pasifika people and demonstrate their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through their interactions with young people, their communities, and their work. Graduates will be able to carry out youth work roles under broad guidance and may have some responsibility for the performance of others.

Course Outcomes ​

This programme will develop youth workers who understand the fundamentals of adventure, nature, and recreation-based programming. Graduates will be able to apply contemporary youth development strategies to lead adventure and recreation-based youth development activities that support the safe psychological and cultural development of young people.  

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Create and maintain a safe environment when working with young people.

Mentor and support young people to recognise and develop their potential.

Apply a strengths-based approach to lead positive youth development projects in the community.

Reflect on their practice and implement self-care strategies when working with young people.

Apply an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to uphold and honour the history of Māori as tangata whenua.

Pathways

10 online assignments

1 portfolio that includes planning, preparing, delivering, and evaluating an Active Recreation youth work activity.

Course Components

Positive Youth Development in Aotearoa (PYDA)

Adventure Based Approach

Relationship with Nature

Self-Reflection/Self-Awareness

Children's Act

Self-Care and Professional Supervision

Colonisation and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te ao Māori, Kawa and Tikanga

Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP)

Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

Active Listening

Motivational Interviewing

You need to have had some experience working with young people in the context of support. 

You will need to have access to a group of young people to complete the plan prepare and apply leadership task.