Teenagers learning to become responsible citizens who can be counted on is the aim of a course held in the Papamoa Hills.
A group of Bethlehem College Year 8 students took part in the Seven Habits programme at the Summerhill A1 Youth Academy at the Papamoa Hills this week. Different Year 8 groups from the college have been doing the programme this week.
The students work through a booklet aimed at teaching them how to become an effective teenager and responsible citizen, all the while taking part in fun activities.
When the Bay of Plenty Times arrived at the camp yesterday, students were using bench top machines to core and peel apples for their lunch in the middle of a sheep shearing shed.
Georgia Browne, 12, said she was learning how to get her priorities straight.
Her favourite activities had been making paper planes and trying to land them on a chocolate bar, and trying to earn points for her team by throwing a toy duck into a bucket.
Brodie James, 12, said he was learning how to reach his full potential.
"We're learning to take responsibility for stuff and be better people," Brodie said.
Phil Russell, director of service and leadership training and Christian education at the college, said the programme helped teach teenagers the basic principals they need to build a solid foundation to sustain them through difficult challenges all people face.
"It helps them get organised and to be more responsible. We try to help our teenagers become their personal best so they can give back to their community."
The programme is followed up at during the year so the students do not loose track of their lessons.
"We all have dreams in life we want to achieve. The programme is really to encourage students that they can reach those dreams if they give 100 per cent."