"Volcano Support Group" came up through a flippant response to a group discussion where a large number of us found we had children obsessing about Volcanoes.
I'd be keen to organise a Rangitoto trip in December or during the holidays - under the auspices of the association.
I figured if we took torches and lunch we could make a long day of it, explore the caves, climb to the top and see how the day evolves.
Yes I would be keen. My 7yr old son is homeschooled, so we could do a trip during the week, or if it was at the weekend the whole family would come along - 2 adults and 3 children.
We might be interested, but it depends on when. We have a four year old who is interested in this at the moment. Please post any plans re this trip here or add our email address to your email list to keep us up to date with what you are thinking of doing.
We have just had the good fortune of going to the Volcanic activity centre near Taupo on our annual family holiday to Hawkes Bay. It was awesome and I really recommend it for all ages.
They have a screning room that shows footage of the 1995/1996 eruptions of Mt. Ruapehu, and the recent laha. A 3-D jugsaw puzzzle of the plate, an inside mini geyser and so much more. Very cool.
Vanessa - My husband took my boy to the Taupo centre and the woman was stunned when they emerged 2+ hours later - apparently most people are in and out very quickly. She heaped posters and info on him and he got so much out of it.
And yes, I'll get in touch with the powers that be to find out how to make it official. I'd be looking at a weekend but would have few qualms about pulling him out midweek.
We are looking at maybe coming up to Auckland one weekend in the next few weeks. (We usually only head up once or twice in a year, so if it timed in well, perhaps we could tie it in then? We are definely a no go for week days too. My hubby is on holiday at the moment so relatively easy to plan for weekends until he's back on shift work. Keep us posted.