Youngsters rise to the Kapiti Youth Support challenge

WALK THIS WAY: Dog walking at HUHA's Otaki animal shelter on a Kapiti Youth Support activity day.

High ropes course challenges, white water rafting, volunteering at an animal shelter - a group of young people will have great bragging rights about their summer holidays.

The Kapiti Youth Support Activity Days programme for young people considered to be vulnerable and at risk was a real success story, KYS social worker and youth coach Christina Franktik said.

The five days of activities for girls and boys aged between 14 and 16 challenged them with physical activities and opportunities to give back to the community.

Kapiti College gave KYS access to their gym for one of the five days and another day was spent attempting the challenges of Adrenalin Forest near Porirua.

"Some young people thrive on risk and this gave them an outlet to be exposed to risk that's safe," Christina said.

"It also brought out team skills with the young people challenging themselves and encouraging others."

Risk with fun was also a drawcard for the white water rafting activity with Captivate Adventure in Otaki.

Only one course participant had attempted river rafting before the KYS Activity Day so this was hugely popular.

A day spent at HUHA's animal shelter in Otaki was an opportunity to give back with the teens walking dogs, doing laundry and working around the animals.

The final day of five was a barbecue for families and community members where awards were presented for skills and development of positive characteristics shown by the young people over the five days.

"It was an opportunity for these at risk young people to hear they had done a really great job."

Before the start of the programme KYS met with the family to outline what the holiday programme would consist of and the safety aspects.

"The parents were very supportive," Christina said.

"We will continue to work closely with the schools now the young people are transitioning back into the school year."

The KYS Stepping Stones team runs all kind of programmes for potential leaders to youth at risk.