Youthtown Raises a Smile in Canterbury

Much of the support and media focus post quake has centred on loss of life, damage to buildings and disruption to business. Less has been shared about the plight of young Cantabrians struggling with daily life since February 22.

However Youthtown, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected national youth charities, has been listening to their stories. In response, the charity today unveiled a series of special projects that will offer young Cantabrians in the worst quake affected areas a well deserved outlet for physical, social and creative activity.

Youthtown’s plans for Christchurch are twofold: the opportunity for 500 young people to take a ‘Break from the Quake’ camp during the July school holidays; and a Christchurch based programme of activities led by the Youthtown team and designed to make life fun again.

The holiday camps (18-29 July) will see 500 students aged 10-17 years flown to Auckland for camp-based adventures in locations throughout the North Island. Two series of week-long camps will engage, educate and entertain young campers, providing a much needed Break from the Quake.

Christchurch students will get to enjoy a range of activities that include outdoor adventures at Tongariro National Park, getting intrepid on Great Barrier Island and taking exciting day-trips in and around Auckland city. They will be accompanied by selected supervisors and caregivers to ensure continuity of care for those still experiencing trauma.

While Youthtown is a national charity, the organisation does not have a Christchurch branch despite future plans to set up in the city. Youthtown revised its longer-term plans following the earthquake to meet the immediate needs of the city and its young people.
Youthtown CEO Keith Thorpe said the organisation would do everything it could to work with existing youth organisations that are doing a stellar job in difficult circumstances.

“We’re conscious that many local youth facilities, sports grounds, schools, and extra-curricular activities are simply no longer able to operate. For some, that will be just in the short term, for others, it will be part of a long, slow rebuild.

“Our consultation with Christchurch colleagues revealed some consistent truths – young people coming to school with behavioural issues, experiencing signs of stress, students not returning to school and a real lack of organised fun taking its toll on everyone in the community.”

Applications forms are now circulating through schools and community organisations as Youthtown searches for 500 students who have the most to benefit from the holiday experience. They will be nominated by their school, family or mentor. Youthtown’s Break from the Quake camps will be held at a range of North Island locations with all costs fully funded by Youthtown, including airfares, travel, meals and accommodation.

In addition, Youthtown is kicking off the Christchurch-based school programme this week. This initiative will run for 11 weeks until the end of Term 3 and includes organised sport, recreational activities, artistic endeavours – anything young people want to do that will replace some of the organised fun they have been missing out on since the earthquake struck.

Youthtown is supporting primary and intermediate schools with lunchtime and after school activity. Schools within the most affected Eastern suburbs of the city are involved.

The organisation will also be working closely with the “twin schools” of Linwood College and Cashmere High to offer morning and afternoon sessions in the time that students are not in class.

Students are in for an array of activities that include games, 3on3 basketball, indoor soccer, touch rugby, netball, cricket, volleyball, art and break dancing workshops and rock climbing sessions.

Youthtown has partnered with a series of organisations to bring the Break from the Quake camps to fruition, including Air NZ, Auckland Council and The Levene Foundation. The generous support and contribution from these organisations has helped enable Youthtown to provide exceptional programme of activities for the young Cantabrians.

Other organisations who have generously donated products and services for free or at discount for the camps include Telecom, Rainbow’s End, Auckland Zoo, Spirit of Adventure, Eden Park Trust Board, Auckland Rugby Union, Snowplanet, Tree Adventures, Subway and Restaurant Brands.

For more information on Break from the Quake visit www.youthtown.org.nz.