Since 2003, Renwick School principal Simon Heath has been involved in developing the Mistletoe Bay Eco Village and Camp Ground, an outdoor activity centre in the Marlborough Sounds.
Thousands of people now flock there every year to kayak and to experience the great outdoors.
School groups make up about one fifth of the numbers and a charitable foundation's also been set up, offering scholarships to disadvantaged children so they can experience it too.