Over five days, Challenge 2000 staff, volunteers and young people explored various parts of Wellington while enjoying the lovely weather and activities we planned for holiday programmes. Our goal was to not only have fun but connect young people in to what the greater Wellington region has to offer.
Day one saw everyone at ASB Sports Centre having fun competing in netball and floorball in the morning. After a nice lunch up by Mt Victoria lookout, we returned to try our hand at indoor soccer and basketball.
Day two we all journeyed around to Days Bay in Eastbourne, quite a few of our young people had never been before, and when there we separated into two groups. One group went to The Days Bay Boat Shed where they donned a life jacket and headed out onto the water in a kayak with one of the instructors and Challenge 2000 staff. The other group went across the road to the park where we played different games like touch or volleyball. After lunch the groups changed over and those who had been kayaking in the morning had the option of continuing to swim with supervision if they wished. It was a great day and one of the young people’s favourites over the holiday programmes.
Day three we went along to the Aquatic Centre at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and then played sports in Johnsonville. Our young people got to play games and splash about in the pool before we went back to Challenge 2000 for lunch and then sports.
Day Four we all piled into vans and cars and made our way to Battle Hill in Pauatahanui. We were put into five groups and in the morning took turns at each of the five activities; stretcher making, tent erecting and dismantling, camp story creating, observation walk and shelter building. After a yummy BBQ lunch, the groups shared their camp stories and then all went for a walk up Battle Hill to end the day on a high!
Day five – our last day – was our Wellington City Scavenger Hunt. The teams made their way to Parliament to start, then the railway station and then to different destinations along the Queen’s Wharf waterfront, with the final destination at Waitangi Park. Stops included a rock climbing task at Fergs Kayaks, as well as a kayaking task around the lagoon. The young people had fun searching for answers to clues and doing various activities over the day. The weather was spectacular and a really good way to end our Holiday Activity Days in Wellington.
We would like to thank all the young people, our volunteers, sponsors and supports for such a great Summer Holiday Programme! Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming holiday programmes throughout the year.
