During the last school holidays, Youthtown took a group of students to stay at the Hanmer Forest Camp. Pictured above are students at Dog Stream Waterfall.

During the second week of the school holidays a group of rangatahi from Mawhera Greymouth travelled across Lewis Pass to Hanmer to meet up with another, larger group from Christchurch Otautahi.

Nine young people met up at Grey Main School on Tuesday 11 October, ready to travel. Introductions over (and mobile phones safely stored away in a box and only to be used except in emergency, until after the camp) we set-off. After a quick stop at Reefton along the way, we arrived at Hanmer. The other group were already playing on the fields in town. Everyone had a quick introduction and then we returned to the vans, and drove to the camp where rooms were allocated, something to eat, a walk or two and then games before food and bed. Even with six adults in attendance the excitement level meant that no-one got to sleep before 11:30pm!

On Wednesday the whole group set out to climb to Dog Stream waterfall. This was an eventful two hour climb through rugged scenery in the drizzle but most of us made it to the falls. Coming down was a little harder because of the mud but lots of encouragement and chatter helped and the thought of lunch at the camp spurred on any stragglers. In the afternoon we all played games, read books, did some drawing, chatted and hung out with new-found friends while some helped out in the kitchen. After dinner it was time to have a last game before bed.

Thursday was the Amazing Race around Hanmer. It was drizzly again but that did not stop determined groups from following clues to each challenge, gathering points as they went. It took ages to finish the race and the sight of little groups of YouthTown members looking around for the next stop must have been a bit puzzling for shoppers and tourists in the town. That afternoon, after a quick shop, everyone went back to the camp and more walks, games and conversations followed.

The last day, Friday, was a visit to the Hot Pools. Most went in but some volunteered to stay out and guard belongings while everyone else went into the pools and on the slides. It was quite busy in the park and with so many people around it felt like a bit of a holiday. That afternoon the Greymouth Mawhera group left to head back to Greymouth. It had been a tiring trip, full of emotion, and some strong friendships were made. (Some of those continue now through the marvel of technology and mobile communications.) We stopped at Reefton again and had a chat about what was good on the trip and what we could do better. We also talked about how we had all benefitted from being away and with different people and discussed other possible trips. Our return to Greymouth - a little later than expected - was just as exciting as our departure. So much to tell!

I lent my camera to the group and some amazing photos of the trip were taken. Two have been entered into the competition at the Left Bank Gallery and here is wishing the photographer luck with them.

This camp was an amazing experience, not only for the group but also for us, the leaders. As the leader of the group from Greymouth I was very pleased and happy with the Coast rangatahi. Everyone fitted in and helped out, even when things were out of our comfort zone, people gave things a shot. It was a great time away and I cannot wait to do more camps and trips, exploring this part of the country and making new friends across the mountains.

Andy Ross
Youth Programme Lead, YouthTown.