Sustainable Development

Our first week of Sustainable Community Development with Mick Duncan followed Stream Ecology. Mick challenged us all to reflect on what "development" means and how it should relate to our spirituality. A lot of stuff to think and talk about. But we still found time to play...ultimate frisbee. We even managed to convince Mick to join us!

Stream Ecology Is Cool

You'd hardly believe how many critters you can find in a stream! Or how beautiful a college "classroom" can be. That's what Dave Mahan showed us. We also learned how important streams really are and how each of us influences their health by our actions. A typical day of our first CCSP course included morning lecture, fieldwork in the afternoon, and card games before bed. [Photo: ASR]

Orientation, Schmorientation!

Orientation week is full-on! That's Kiwi for packed full of crazy adventures. We went to Castle Hills where the battle scenes of Narnia were filmed, walked through a cave stream, and just generally had a great time getting to know each other. Andrew Wells (past CCSP faculty) introduced us to the ecological "big picture" of New Zealand and we began learning a bit about Kiwi culture. [Photo: ASR]

Who Is Us?

Every CCSP semester is unique. Each group is a blend made by new students coming to the same place from different schools to meet a particular staff team. This time Lady, Brent, Ren, Seth, Heather, Morgan, Lauren, Brendon, Rachel, & Brian joined Ali, Karyn, Robert, Jane, Aaron, and Ginny. Aaron and Ginny's son, Aidan ("Pound It"), and Bethany (Robert's fiancee) complete our community. We are CCSP South Pacific Spring 2006! [Photo: Unknown]

CCSP Arrives at Living Springs!

Students arrived this morning and enjoyed a tasty brunch overlooking Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch. Despite the wind, rain sprinkles, jetlag, and disorientation, we hiked down from the extinct volcanoe crater rim to Bellbird Heights - our new home at Living Springs Conference Center. After settling into our cozy rooms, we began a fantastic week of orientation. [Photo: Unknown]