Where would you find Fourth of July decorations, hot springs and meetings abound? Why, of course, the AUIP team retreat in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand!

Last week our team made the drive from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs for three days of uninterrupted reviewing, planning and brainstorming…well, that is, aside from the highly important breaks for dips in the thermal pools.

Our agenda found us assessing the past year’s programs and their evaluations, discussing program changes for 2014, reviewing our risk management practices, planning our upcoming endeavors and much more. When we couldn’t bear another PowerPoint or statistical spreadsheet, we called it quits for the day and headed over to the naturally warmed pools.

The town’s famous hot springs were discovered in the late 19th century and now serve as a major tourist destination for overseas visitors and Kiwis alike. Hanmer Springs is also known for other tourist activities, such as bush walking and mountain biking, but we didn’t have time for those this trip.

AUIP team celebrating the Fourth of July

For one evening’s entertainment, we hosted our own belated Fourth of July party. Despite the snow flurries outside and the fire roaring inside, we got into the Independence Day spirit wearing comical red, white and blue adornments whilst dining on burgers, potato salad, coleslaw and brownies.

So with a few leftover Oreos and a bottle of Heinz ketchup making the trip back to Christchurch with us, we departed the retreat with energy and outlook for this upcoming year’s programs.