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Blue Light Experience Youth Camp Niue Youth Council Raft Races by Theresa Higgs, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer for Youth
Blue Light Experience Youth Camp Niue Youth Council Raft Races by Theresa Higgs, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer for Youth
Blue Light Experience Youth Camp
The purpose of this camp was to organise a 1 week course for Niuean young people of both sexes aged 14-18 years, who it is believed through their participation would enhance their ability to contribute to society rather than be a cost to it. The name of the camp came from a Police initiative for youth in New Zealand. On the 25 September, 2000 27 youth walked into the camp with unsure faces not knowing what to expect. The first lesson was how to live closely with others. The campers stayed in 2 bunk houses, one for each sex. Each camper had a bed that was about 1/2 metre from his neighbour, kept their area clean and tidy.
After fourteen weeks of preparation and expectations, the Blue Light Camp has finished and can rightfully be called a success. The week began with 27 youths, full of questions, not knowing what they had got themselves into. They soon came to learn that their days would be full of activity, from morning until night. The participants worked as a team and at times in small syndicate teams, the self-named "Dragons," "The Rock's Finest," and "Blue Alert." As individuals they were challenged to go beyond limits they had set for themselves by trying new things and allowing themselves to be affected by new experiences and people. Examples of activities and sessions that were included in the camp are physical training, drill, leadership activities, team-building exercises, games, basic first aid, youth health issues, youth and the law, employment options and C.V.s, goal-setting and determination, fire safety, tree planting, reef and ocean awareness, snorkeling and more. There was never a dull or quiet moment! After these exciting 6 days 27 participants and three staff left the camp happy and exhausted.
Looking back over the week and noticing changes in the individual campers, it is obvious that all of the objectives of the camp were met in some capacity. Some campers benefited from the team activities as they learned about what it takes to work closely with others such as listening skills, trust and using multiple perspectives to solve problems. Other campers increased their self-esteem by pushing themselves beyond limits they had previously set for themselves. The common objective met by all was to have fun!
The campers worked as a team, pushed themselves beyond personal limits, tried new things, learned to live with others, deepened relationships and had a great time! The staff also learned a lot and had fun spending time with these energetic and positive youth. It is our hope to continue this program and offer the camp again in the future.
The coordinators of the Blue Light Experience Camp would like to thank everyone involved in making this week a success.
Report by Constable Tony Kose, Robert Wilson & Theresa Higgs.