Overall Excellence Award Winner Maori Te Wake and Reviewing Officer Sergeant Dave Fraser, NZ Police, Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Waiouru Military Camp,
Maori Te Wake’s Blue Light Life Skills Camp experience was a week of growth and determination.
Blue Light Life Skills Camp Graduation, Waiouru Military Camp
“I got mostly discipline out of attending Blue Light’s Camp… along with persistence and resilience,” the 15-year-old from Te Awamutu said.
He revealed he had been determined to stay and complete the week-long camp — a commitment that paid off when he was awarded the Overall Excellence Award.
Blue Light’s Life Skills Camp was held for the first time at the Waiouru Military Camp in mid-October.
“I wasn’t expecting much, so when my name got called, I was both shocked, proud, happy, and sad all in one — but had to hold it in and be strong.”
Reviewing Officer Sergeant Dave Fraser, NZ Police, Overall Excellence Award Winner Maori Te Wake and New Zealand Defence Force Sergeant Major Roy Kennedy, Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Waiouru Military Camp
One of his biggest challenges at camp was “following the rules and being told what to do,” but he was determined to finish what he started. His dedication and perseverance didn’t go unnoticed by Blue Light and Defence Force staff.
Blue Light Camp Coordinator Easter Misi said Maori showed maturity and intuition, excelled as a team member, displayed positive qualities of leadership, and was respectful towards staff and fellow camp participants.”
Now the teenager says he hopes to attend the Blue Light 100-Person Leadership Camp in December, along with the Vanguard Military School, and, when he is 18, do the Limited Service Volunteer Course.
Camp participants outside Waiouru National Army Museum, Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Waiouru Military Camp
For other teens considering a Blue Light Life Skills Camp, he says it takes a strong mindset to overcome some challenges… “but overall I loved the connections I made along with the achievements I accomplished”.
Senior Constable Scott Miller of Te Awamutu has referred many young people to Blue Light Camps.
“Don’t hesitate to refer youth to the Blue Light Life Skills Camps,” he says. “They are all unsure, and out of their comfort zone when they arrive, but the change in attitude in just one week is opposite. You will be picking up a young person who won’t be able to stop talking about their experiences, the challenges they overcame, and the peers they met, and they’ll want to stay at least another week.
“They’ll also be talking about their future plans, which they did not have previously.”
Overall Excellence Award Winner Maori Te Wake and Reviewing Officer Sergeant Dave Fraser, NZ Police, Blue Light Life Skills Camp, Waiouru Military Camp,
