Three Tauranga teens have returned from representing New Zealand at Blue Light’s International camp.

The camp saw 13 Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, 11 young people from Police Citizen’s Youth Clubs Australia, and two young people from the Police Athletics League in America, come together with thirteen young people from New Zealand for a leadership programme with a difference over six action packed days in August in New Zealand.

“The experience was definitely enlightening in the sense that now I realise people from abroad are way less different than you’d think,” says Wesley Newland, 17, from Otumoetai College, on his selection to the camp.

Adisen Mahy, 16, from Mount Maunganui College agrees.

“It was easy to bond with everyone on the camp, especially the boys, because we all shared similar interests. We talked about sports and our countries' cultures which really made it easy for discussion and learning about each other on more of a personal level.”

Levi O’Hara, 15),from Aquinas College, who attended along with Adisen and Wesley says he enjoyed meeting the new people and getting to know them and where they were from.

Levi O’Hara, left, Adisen Mahy and Wesley Newland, Blue Light International Camp Graduation, Auckland.

“It has been a privilege for Blue Light to host and bring young leaders from the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, PCYC in Australia, and PAL America together with young leaders from here in New Zealand,” says Blue Light CEO Rod Bell.

“It is impossible not to be impressed with these young people. They have taken up this opportunity with skill and enthusiasm and no matter what pursuits they ultimately choose, I have no doubt our countries will be well served by them.”

At camp the Scottish accent proved an interesting challenge. “The toughest challenge was probably trying to interpret what the Scottish people were saying but we managed to get past this because the Scots eventually just talked slower,” says Wesley.

Adisen, Wesley, and Levi took part in mixed international teams and leadership exercises such as the tower of tyres, lava crossing and cool the bomb with Blue Light’s partners, the NZ Defence Force/

“Leadership can actually just be providing ideas and accepting other people's ideas. You don't actually have to be running everything, you can just be there to help as much as anyone else,” says Wesley.

Levi (fourth from left standing back row), Wesley (centre back row) and Adisen (centre back row arm over Wesley) sports afternoon, Blue Light International Camp, Auckland.

Other activities Adisen, Wesley and Levi took part in on the camp included learning drill, waiata, designing and 3-D printing their own taonga, and teamwork exercises including a session on the bongos, football, pump track and other sports. Highlights included two quintessential New Zealand experiences: Weta Workshop Unleased and the All Black’s Experience at Sky City.

At the graduation evening both the Australian and New Zealand young people concluded their time on the camp.

The Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and young people from PAL America meanwhile continued on to explore New Zealand’s amazing recreational adventures, with hosts Blue Light, before flying home later in August.

“I have made connections that will last a lifetime. I have all of the friends I made on social media such as Instagram and Snapchat where we chat regularly to keep updated on life outside of camp,” says Adisen.