Ruawai farmer and mother supports kids | Rural

Ruawai farmer and mother of five Sara Ball doesn't do things by halves when providing opportunities for her children to stretch their horizons beyond those normally available in a small rural town.

Apart from rugby, basketball, and horse riding and many other activities all five children have attained Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards - three awards presented by various members of royalty at St James Palace in London.

In 1998, when her eldest daughter Amanda was 14, Mrs Ball learned of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme through a new staff member at Ruawai College - Celia Reed.

The information took Mrs Ball, husband Peter and their five children on a journey which culminated with each of the children earning the scheme's top gold award.

Celia Reed and her teacher husband had been involved in the programme before arriving in the district.

Both women recognised the benefits the programme would provide for their daughters and any youngster.

Since no trainer was available Mrs Ball paid for a training licence so she could teach the basic skills. Because the scheme required an organisational umbrella, Mrs Reed with the appropriate approval, signed the school up to the programme and acted as co-ordinator.

Six other children joined the first programme at bronze level and from there on Mrs Ball and Peter, who had been approved and registered as tramping co-ordinator, were committed.

The Balls used trained outdoor pursuit organisations such as Outdoor Pursuit centre for more specialised challenges beyond their level of teaching expertise.

When the Reeds transferred to Wellington after two years, Mrs Ball stepped up as programme co-ordinator, ensuring all participants met the requirements and standards.

At times local children joined in - as did others from outside of the area who needed an organised tramp to complete a section of their programme.

The Balls younger family members simply tagged along until they were were old enough to officially join the programme when they turned 14.

"It was a massive learning curve," said Mrs Ball, admitting, "yes it has been hard work, but I would do it all again ... not only for the personal achievements, but for the way it has bonded and drawn our family together."

"It has given the kids an appreciation of our great outdoors, wonderful skills and in our case the love of tramping. Even now the kids, Amanda 27, Stephen 26, Calvin 21, Katherine, 19, and Jason 18, love to tramp and only just get home from one with their Dad when they want to organise another. They've been all over the country - National Parks, New Zealand's Great Walks - and many others - the last one was in Nelson," she said.

The programme requires achievement in four areas, 'service' - undertaking service to individuals or the community, 'physical' - improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities, 'skills' - developing practical and social skills and personal interests and 'expedition' - planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey.

At gold level, participants must do a fifth 'residential' section, which involves staying and working away from home or close friends doing a shared activity for a minimum of five days. With the exception of Calvin, who chose Outward Bound for this section, the others served time on either the Spirit of Adventure or the Spirit of New Zealand.

This year Mrs Ball has handed co-ordination of the scheme to the school. Jason, now in Year 13, is the last of the children to achieve a gold award.

He will be presented with this award, along with about 800 internationals, at St James Palace sometime in 2012 - the date has yet to be determined.

 Older brother Stephen was presented his award by the Duke of Edinburgh in July 2004, while youngest sister Katherine had been awarded her by the Earl of Sussex, Prince Edward, in December 2010. Amanda had her gold presented by the Governor General Dame Sylvia Cartwright in 2006 while Calvin had received his in April 2011 from Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand.

"Over the last 13 years I have had a wonderful time exciting kids about outdoor activities and seen the personal self development the programme has given them," Mrs Ball said.

"My own children have thanked me many times for giving them the opportunity so I know it has been worthwhile."

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a prestigious and internationally recognised award, highly regarded by employers because it shows determination, commitment, courage and perserverance. Started in New Zealand in 1963 the programme enrols more than 6,000 young people every year.

Participants come from all walks of life. Entry age for bronze level is 14 years . Students can not start gold level until they are aged 16 years - the programme can take from 12 months to two years to complete and must be completed before the age of 25.