Mystery weekend keeps Blue Light youth breathless

 

North Rodney Blue Light approached local intermediate schools to nominate deserving youth for a fully sponsored mystery adventure weekend based at the new National Blue Light camp at Wairakei near Taupo.

Mangawhai Beach School jumped at the opportunity for their new school house captains who met the criteria.

Four other Blue Light branches from Kaeo to North Harbour with teams of eight youth attended the first reward weekend organised by National Blue Light.

Shane and Kristal Gould accompanied the local team.

The first evening each team had challenges to build teamwork and then a swim at the AC baths in Taupo.

Up early Saturday morning, the first challenge was to catch the most prawns at the local prawn farm. The reward was a Huka Falls Jet boat ride up to the falls. With the grand total of two prawns, Mangawhai won the challenge.

After the boat ride the youth set about some personal challenges and conquered their fear of heights on rock and high ropes courses, followed after lunch by ‘soccer golf’ hosted by the Taupo Golf course.

Then there was an Amazing Race challenge around the Taupo CBD.

“I’m not sure what the tourists and locals thought” says Shane.

Race challenges included photos at different locations, singing the national anthem in public, putting on eye shadow (including the boys), and a photo with a local police officer.

Next was BMX riding hosted by the Taupo BMX club, then another local attraction which offers a maize with clues and a mini golf course.

Back to base for a roast dinner and then off for a final swim and bombing contest at the AC baths.

A movie was planned but due to such an action packed day this was cancelled in favour of an early night.

The final day was topped off with a trip to Rotorua for the Skyline luge before heading home.

Shane and Kristal enjoyed the company of the youth and the smooth running of the reward national program.

“We could not have asked for a better bunch of youth to take down and look forward to other opportunities in the future,” said Shane.

Shane also expressed his appreciation to his local branch committee for their hard work in fundraising, with the The Warehouse Snells Beach making the reward weekend opportunity available. n For further information on Blue Light programs check out nrbl.org.nz and bluelight.co.nz

CHALLENGE: The Blue Light team strap in for a crazy jet boat ride in Taupo.