Two Local Waihi teenagers have taken out top awards at the recent Blue Light Life Skills Camp.

Bailey Cameron, 17, was awarded the ‘Overall Excellence Award' and Zinzan Coop, 17, the ‘Peer Choice Award'. Both Waihi College students beat a strong group of young people from the North Island to take out their prizes on the weeklong residential course.

Blue Light Blue Light Life Skills Co-ordinator Abbe-Mae says Bailey was awarded the Overall Excellence award as he showed maturity, intuition, leadership and teamwork skills.

"Positive qualities that made him the best overall student on the course.

'Zinzan was awarded the Peer Choice Award as he was an integral member of the team and the camp as a whole."

He demonstrated respect and encouragement towards his fellow team members and participated in all the camp activities with a positive attitude."

Harley North, Senior Constable, Eastern Waikato Police, who referred both Bailey and Zinzan from the newly established Police Studies course in Waihi, comments that 'attending a Life Skills course can be life changing”.

The new Police Studies course is being delivered by Waihi College teacher Kate Morley and is being supported by NZ Police Recruiting. Harley, who mentors participants on the course along with fellow Police Officers Snr Constable's North, David Grant, and Melissa Whiteman from Eastern Waikato Police, states that he is looking forward to sending more rangitahi to Blue Light's highly successful Life Skills programme.

Run in partnership with the NZ Defence Force for the past 11 years the adventure-based experiential learning is a key part of the programme, and provides 14 – 17-year old's critical life skills such as self- development, self-control, and teamwork that will enable young people to be successful in their homes, schools, communities, and employment.

Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, the Central North Island and Burnham locations.
For more information about the Blue Light Life Skills Camps visit www.bluelight.co.nz.

Blue Light is grateful for the support of the sponsorship of the Lion Foundation and other community supporters.