YOUNG ADULTS PUSH THEIR BOUNDARIES AT NZDSA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CAMP By Coen Lammers The 14 young adults and many of their parents had mixed emotions when they boarded their flights from all corners of the country. The participants and their supporters were still buzzing from their amazing experiences during the three-day camp in Long Bay, north of Auckland, but also shed a tear saying farewell to all the new friends they had made. The annual weekend is one of the highlights on the NZDSA calendar where young adults from all regions in the country are nominated by their local groups to be invited to this fully funded camp of fun, action, laughter and great food. The change in the mood of the group and the interactions between the young people and their carers between arrival and departure is incredible to watch. When the group first gathers, most participants are understandably shy and nervous of what they can expect. Some have never been on a plane, and some had
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never spent a night away from their parents. Each young person got their own room at the beautiful Vaughn Park, looking out over Long Bay beach. The parents stayed nearby in another house on the same property, but for some participants even that small separation was a big step in growing their independence. After the first introductions and getting familiar with their new surroundings the young adults are driven to Xtreme Bowling where they proved to be extremely competitive in their ten-pin bowling and barely had time to eat the pizza on offer. Saturdays are always action packed at the Sir Peter Black Maritime Education and Recreation Centre (MERC) where the wonderful instructors gently guided the young people through the first steps of rock climbing and abseiling. Some of the young people were clearly not impressed by what was lying ahead but all showed incredible courage as every participant
