HASCA MERC Day Event

HASCA Members’ End-Of-Year Event: MERC Day

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What is MERC?!

An exciting End of Year event for HASCA member children (exempt homeschoolers) ages 7 to 18 years.

The Sir Peter Blake Marine Education & Recreation Centre is a not-for-profit charity based at Long Bay, Auckland. MERC offers marine-based environmental education and outdoor recreational experiences to schools and other groups. (It’s so popular we book a year in advance!)

Where is MERC?!

Sir Peter Blake MERC is about a 20-minute drive from Auckland’s CBD and is located at 1045 Beach Rd, Long Bay.

What happens?!

Prior to the day, we plan a fantastic programme with MERC staff! Students are placed in groups and will participate in a mix of three age-appropriate land or water-based activities throughout the day! Activities may include Abseiling, Climbing, Stack’em High Challenge, Archery, Orienteering, Body Boarding, Canadian Canoe, Dinghy Games, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Snorkeling, Raft Building, or Surfing. Children will undertake missions within their activities and learn elements of marine biology – gaining awareness of this unique and beautiful environment.

Sample of activity schedule (from our 2018 event):

Who?!
Exempt home-educated students belonging to HASCA member families, aged 7 to 18 years, are welcome to participate in HASCA MERC Days.

Current year HASCA members will be given priority placement. Once we have placed those from our existing membership who register, if spaces remain, they will be offered to the wider homeschooling community. Spaces are limited. 

How many?!

Up to 120 students maximum per day. 

How much?!

Our committee sought funding from Pub Charity Ltd and was successful. Therefore, thanks to their generous contribution, we will be offering a fantastic subsidised rate to member children.

Our sincerest thanks to Pub Charity Ltd for their contribution and support of this fun and educational event and of the HASCA community. 

HASCA MERC Days 2025:
Due to the growth in our membership, we have booked two full days!

DAY 1) Wednesday, 10th December 2025 – 120 students
             Nancy will be the coordinator on-site on the day.
DAY 2) Thursday, 11th December 2025 – 120 students
             Selena will be the coordinator on-site on the day.

Registrations will open on 4th November 2025 mid-day. Enquiries to hasca.nz@gmail.com.

MERC Days Fees:
Rate for MERC Day participation (standard MERC rate)          … $73.60 per child
Rate for current year HASCA member families, subsidised    … $20.00 per child

Enquiries to HASCA event coordinators:
Nancy & Selena at hascamerc@gmail.com (or HASCA admin at hasca.nz@gmail.com)