Whale of a time for schoolkids

Restore Rodney East (RRE) is bringing the magic of the ocean to the Warkworth Town Hall these school holidays with a free, hands-on event for children and their families with one hour sessions on Wednesday, October 1, from 10am.

Each session offers two activities specially designed for school-aged children that bring the ocean to life in a fun and exciting way,

Walk Through Whale

“Step inside a life-sized inflatable whale and see the world from its perspective. Explore the whale’s anatomy, learn about their behaviours, habitats and the challenges they face in our oceans,” an RRE spokesperson said.

“This hands-on experience gives kids a unique, up-close understanding of these magnificent creatures – all without getting wet. The whale is wheelchair friendly but access inside is limited due to space so please let us know if you require wheelchair access.”

Blake VR Underwater Experience

“Dive virtually into NZ’s marine environment with cutting-edge virtual reality. Swim alongside fish, explore coral and kelp forests and encounter marine mammals in their natural habitats. The VR session is upstairs, and while a lift is available at the town hall, we do not recommend using it as it has been known to break down.”

Two-in-one

Booking a one-hour session allows children to enjoy both activities. Kids will gain a deeper appreciation of marine life, learn practical ways to support ocean conservation and have fun while engaging in interactive, educational activities, RRE said. This is a free event but donations are welcome with all funds going directly to supporting local conservation projects.

Sessions are scheduled at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm in either Group A or Group B. On the day bring your booking pass with you. Bookings here:  https://events.humanitix.com/ocean-experience