Children raring to get into holidays
This holidays will be packed with fun and excitement as the YMCA prepares to show youth in the community a good time.
The South Waikato YMCA will host up to 60 children per activity during this year’s Easter breakaway programme.
Eight exciting activities planned for the Easter break already have 35 youth raring to go.
Youth programme co-ordinator Aroha Riki-Hamana said the free programme will keep children engaged.
‘‘It’s awesome to keep the kids in a positive mindset,’’ she said.
‘‘The South Waikato YMCA Breakaway sport and recreational Easter holiday programme helps build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Breakaway offers opportunities for youth aged between 11-17 years from all cultures, with all personal confidence and social levels,’’ she said.
The programme will be held over the two-week holiday period and entails four out-of-town trips and four activities held in Tokoroa.
Children will travel to Mt Maunganui, Taupo, Rotorua and the Waimarino River.
Riki-Hamana was especially excited about the Waimarino trip.
‘‘It is the best fun to have on a river,’’ she said.
She said the activity called ‘‘the The YMCA allows the children to get in touch with nature. blob’’, where the children are bounced off a giant balloon and into the river, was the best.
But not only does the programme offer a fun experience, she said it helps build the children’s characters.
‘‘It builds confidence and helps nurture the individual’s development,’’ she said.
The unique activities include the amazing race, beats by Tok at the media hub, pay it forward and a sports day with the Mangakino Breakaway programme.
The challenging activities will bring them out of their comfort zone, she said. ‘‘The children really enjoy it.’’ As well as paid staff, volunteers are recruited to help run the holiday programme.
Last year’s breakaway programme saw about 22 volunteers involved. Riki-Hamana said they are thoroughly checked.
She said the programme is still running strong after four years despite a few ‘‘inconsistencies’’ with children signing up.
‘‘It has been birthed from a great team, and some [children] have been with the programme for years,’’ she said.