By Sabrina Lu, participant of YES! Camp
Before coming to New Zealand, I was never certain about my academic path. Environmental protection was always on my list of possible majors, but I wasn’t sure I could stay committed to it. Once, I read a blog written by an environmental engineer. He described how he spent sleepless nights designing a wastewater treatment facility for a factory—only to discover it was used merely as a façade. When inspectors weren’t around, the facility was shut off, and his work became meaningless. Eventually, he resigned. He couldn’t bear to see his efforts wasted. His retreat became my fear too: if I faced the same situation, standing against the majority, would I have the courage to persist?
But when I arrived in New Zealand, I was amazed to find that almost everyone seemed to be contributing to environmental protection. At Whatipu Lodge, I saw a self-sufficient system in action and realized that the “sustainable house” I had only read about in books was not utopia—it was real and long-lasting. Once, while enjoying ice cream near a beach, I learned it was actually a wastewater outlet. To my surprise, the whole beach was clean and fresh—no smell at all. If not for the pipe leading to the ocean, I would have thought it was just a small stream. And then there was the ever-present green of New Zealand: every glance out the window revealed forests that lifted my spirits.
Life without phone signals or Wi-Fi made time feel strangely faster. A whole day disappeared as we hiked through the forest. By the end, I even grew used to being offline, spending more time chatting with the friends around me instead of scrolling through a screen.
During those six days in New Zealand, every day pushed me beyond my limits:
With each challenge, my confidence grew stronger. By the end, I knew: YES! I can do this. And this kind of growth—the courage to face the unknown—is something no textbook can ever teach.
作者：Sabrina LU，YES! Camp 第 1 期营员
在来新西兰之前，我一直不确定自己的专业方向是什么。虽然一直把环保放在专业的备选里，但是我并不确定自己能否在这条路上坚持走下来。我曾在一个网页上看到过一位学环境工程的人曾经写道，他的工作是给工厂设计排污设施，当他把熬了几天几夜的成品交给工厂的时候，他发现他所骄傲的设计只是工厂的一个挡箭牌而已，在有关部门不检查的时候，这个排污设施根本不会用。最后他辞职了，他接受不了自己辛辛苦苦的工作就这么付诸东流。他退缩了，我也退缩了。我不知道当我面对同样一种情况，当少数人对抗多数人的时候，我能否坚持。
但是当我到了新西兰，我惊讶地发现这里几乎所有人都在为环保做着贡献。Whatipu Lodge 差不多可以自给自足系统让我明白了原来书上写的可持续的小屋不是乌托邦，它是可以长期实现的；有一次，我们在沙滩旁边吃着冰激凌，我突然发现原来那是一个污水排放的地方，但令人惊讶的是，整个海滩并无异味，如果不是因为有水管通向大海，我都差点以为是一条小溪汇入大海。还有新西兰无处不存在的绿色，每天只要看着窗外的森林，都会觉得心情舒畅。
没有信号、没有无线网的生活却让时间好像过得更快了一些。走进森林里，不知不觉间一天就过去了。到最后，我甚至习惯了不和外界联系，转而和身边的朋友聊天。
在新西兰的这六天，我感觉每天都在挑战自己。第一天过海关，错综复杂的各种申报；第二天长距离徒步；第三天听语速极快还带kiwi口音的演讲；第四天长时间走陡坡；第六天攀岩。我的信心一天比一天强，我知道“I can do this”。而这些是在书本上得不到的。
Effective Date: 1 October 2025 (Version 1.1)
These Terms & Conditions are effective from the above date and apply to all participants enrolling on or after this date. Greenfield reserves the right to update these Terms from time to time, with updated versions published on the Greenfield website. Continued participation in Greenfield programmes constitutes acceptance of the most current version.
1.1 These Terms and Conditions (“Agreement”) govern participation in Youth Education and Community Impact provided by The Greenfield Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Greenfield”).
1.2 Greenfield operates three main business streams:
1.3 This Agreement applies only to Youth Education and Community Initiatives. All Consulting Services (for example: international student experience, supporting local communities, and other professional services provided to personnel and organisations) are provided under a separate Service Agreement or similar contract between Greenfield and the client.
1.4 By registering for a Greenfield programme, service, or activity, a binding contract is formed between Greenfield and the participant (or, where the participant is under 18 years of age, the parent(s) or caregiver(s) of that participant).
2.1 “Participant” means any individual registered for services provided under Greenfield’s Youth Education and Community Initiatives.
2.2 “Services” include, but are not limited to:
2.3 “Staff Member” includes but is not limited to camp leaders, award coordinators, award leaders, mentors, tutors, and guides.
3.1 Participants (and, where applicable, their parents or caregivers) agree to pay all applicable fees and charges in full prior to the commencement of the programme, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3.2 YES! Future
3.3 DofE
3.4 Community Events and Activities
3.5 Online Courses
3.6 All fees are stated in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and include GST, unless otherwise specified.
4.1 Requests for refunds must be made in writing. Greenfield will process such requests in accordance with New Zealand consumer law and the refund rules of the relevant programme.
4.2 Non-refundable fees include (but are not limited to):
4.3 YES! Future
4.4 DofE
4.5 Community Projects, Events and Activities
4.6 Online Courses
4.7 Justifiable reasons for refund consideration include:
4.8 Cancellations by Greenfield
4.9 Force Majeure
4.10 Refund Processing Requirements
To process any approved refund, the requester must provide the exact same bank account details used for the original payment, including:
4.10.1 Banking and Transaction Fees
All banking, international transfer fees, currency conversion charges, or administrative processing costs incurred during the refund process will be deducted from the total refundable amount. This includes:
4.10.2 Timeframe
Refunds will be processed after all required information has been provided and any involved third party has officially accepted and updated the relevant details (if applicable). We aim to issue all refunds within 5–10 business days of this confirmation. Actual processing times may vary depending on bank procedures.
5.1 Participants must conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner at all times.
5.2 Participants are required to:
5.3 Greenfield reserves the right to remove a participant from any activity if their behaviour is unsafe, disruptive, unlawful, or in breach of this Agreement. In such cases, no refund will be provided.
5.4 Parents or caregivers remain ultimately responsible for ensuring the compliance of participants under 18 years of age.
6.1 Greenfield takes all reasonable steps to provide a safe environment for participants.
6.2 Participants (and parents/caregivers, where applicable) acknowledge that outdoor, community, and experiential activities carry inherent risks. Participation is undertaken at the participant’s own risk, to the extent permitted by law.
6.3 Participants are responsible for equipping themselves with appropriate and suitable gear for outdoor activities. This includes ensuring that clothing, footwear, and personal items are fit for purpose and in good condition.
6.4 Participants may choose to hire Greenfield outdoor gear, including but not limited to tents, cooking sets, and camping accessories (“Hired Equipment”).
6.4.1 Scope: This section applies to all outdoor gear and equipment hired from Greenfield, including but not limited to tents, cooking sets, backpacks, and camping accessories (“Hired Equipment”).
6.4.2 Booking and Bond
6.4.2.1 Hire bookings are confirmed only upon payment of the applicable hire fee and, where required, a refundable bond.
6.4.2.2 The bond amount (if applicable) will be stated at the time of booking and refunded following satisfactory inspection upon return.
6.4.2.3 Greenfield reserves the right to deduct from the bond any reasonable costs associated with repair, cleaning, or replacement due to damage, loss, or failure to comply with these conditions.
6.4.3 Condition and Use of Equipment
6.4.3.1 The Hirer acknowledges that all equipment is provided in good working order and suitable for ordinary use.
6.4.3.2 The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that all items are used safely and appropriately, following any provided instructions or guidelines.
6.4.3.3 Equipment must not be altered, marked, or modified in any way.
6.4.4 Cleaning and Return
6.4.4.1 All hired equipment must be returned clean, dry, and in good condition by the agreed return date and time.
6.4.4.2 The Tent Cleaning Guide (available at https://thegreenfield.org/register/all-about-tent/) must be followed.
6.4.4.3 Additional cleaning fees may be charged if the tent or equipment is returned wet, dirty, or with odour.
6.4.4.4 Equipment not returned by the due date may incur additional daily hire fees.
6.4.5 Loss or Damage
6.4.5.1 The Hirer is fully responsible for any loss, theft, or damage (excluding normal wear and tear) occurring during the hire period.
6.4.5.2 In the event of damage or loss, Greenfield may charge the cost of repair or replacement, less any applicable bond.
6.4.5.3 The Hirer must notify Greenfield immediately of any loss, damage, or malfunction.
6.4.6 Liability and Risk
6.4.6.1 All equipment hire is undertaken at the Hirer’s own risk. Greenfield shall not be liable for injury, damage, or loss arising from misuse, improper assembly, or weather-related incidents.
6.4.6.2 The Hirer agrees to take reasonable care of all hired equipment and to use it only for its intended purpose.
6.4.6.3 Nothing in this clause limits rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
6.4.7 Cancellation and Refunds
6.4.7.1 Hire cancellations made more than 7 days before the start date may be refunded less a 10% administration fee.
6.4.7.2 Cancellations made within 7 days of the start date are non-refundable unless justified by exceptional circumstances (see clause 4.7).
6.4.7.3 If Greenfield cancels the hire due to equipment unavailability or safety concerns, a full refund will be issued.
6.4.8 Acceptance of Terms: By booking any outdoor gear hire, the Hirer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, including the Outdoor Gear Hire section.
7.1 All participants are responsible for arranging their own insurance (e.g., health, travel, property) if desired. International participants are strongly advised to hold valid medical and travel insurance.
7.2 Greenfield is a drug-free and smoke-free environment. The possession or use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products is prohibited during activities. Breach of this rule may result in immediate removal at the participant’s (or parent’s) expense.
7.3 To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, Greenfield shall not be liable for any injury, loss, or damage suffered by participants, except where caused by Greenfield’s proven negligence.
7.4 Nothing in this Agreement limits rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the Fair Trading Act 1986, or other applicable New Zealand laws.
8.1 All programme content, course materials, handouts, guides, videos, recordings, and other resources provided by Greenfield (in print, digital, or any other format) are the intellectual property of The Greenfield Limited unless otherwise stated.
8.2 Such materials are provided for the personal educational use of participants only. They may not be copied, distributed, reproduced, adapted, or shared with third parties without Greenfield’s prior written consent.
8.3 Breach of this clause may result in immediate termination of participation rights, and Greenfield reserves the right to pursue legal remedies where necessary.
9.1 Greenfield collects, stores, and manages participant information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
9.2 Personal information will be used only for administration, safety management, and programme delivery, unless further consent is obtained.
10.1 This Agreement does not apply to Greenfield’s Consulting Services, which may include:
11.1 This Agreement is governed by the laws of New Zealand.
11.2 Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
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At Greenfield, we do not eliminate all risks, but we embrace the idea of “acceptable risk” as an essential ingredient in real learning. For example, allowing ākonga to plan their own hiking route fosters independence, while the presence of a trained leader/supervisor ensures safety in navigating uneven terrain.
We define “acceptable risk” as a managed risk where the benefits of learning and growth outweigh the potential harm, provided appropriate controls are in place. This principle is openly communicated with whānau (families) through our consent forms, meetings, and pre-trip information packs.
Our philosophy also incorporates the concept of kaitiakitanga, guardianship and care for our environment, acknowledging our responsibility to act respectfully on land with cultural significance, particularly in areas connected to local iwi.
We help people:
To ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all participants, staff, and the community by clearly outlining Greenfield’s expectations regarding drug and alcohol use.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and visiting facilitators engaged in any Greenfield programme.
This policy is reviewed annually or following any incident where substance use is suspected or confirmed.
Approved by Nigel Zhang, Chief Education Officer, on 1st July 2023.
To ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of children and young people engaged in Greenfield programmes.
Applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, and visiting adults working with participants under the age of 18.
This policy is reviewed annually and after any child protection-related concern or incident.
Approved by Nigel Zhang, Chief Education Officer, on 1st July 2023.
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