Our best camp yet

Last weekend, 75 of the Upside (then Brothers in Arms) whānau descended on the YMCA Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges for our annual camp, and it was epic! Fires, mud, ropes, fear, making new friends, resilience, connection, fun, eating, obstacles, marshmallows, songwriting and more went down over three amazing days.

 

Support goes both ways

Camp's a time when both young people and their mentors are challenged to overcome their fears. The majority of mentors told us that during camp they supported each other. They explained the young person supported the mentor as much as the mentor supported the young person, and this reciprocity strengthened their mentoring relationships.

On the drive home one of the young people turned to her mentor and told her, "Bex, I was proud of you. I know you are scared of heights and you climbed up that super fox. Nice job!" This mentor reflected on the kindness, encouragement and support her young person had shown her. She told us, "My heart was full."