Whangarei Youth Space holds its final meeting for tomorrow night's 200 young people who will stay up all night participating in a number of fun team-building activities. Here Velma Brown, left and Jackson Moetaira prep their table tennis skills ahead of the all-nighter. Photo / John Stone
Whangarei Youth Space holds its final meeting for tomorrow night's 200 young people who will stay up all night participating in a number of fun team-building activities. Here Velma Brown, left and Jackson Moetaira prep their table tennis skills ahead of the all-nighter. Photo / John Stone
Hundreds of teenagers will be up all night tonight on a wholesome fun bender, an event attempting to make Whangarei more exciting for its younger residents.
Whangarei Youth Space's Terry Watts said seven organisations were collaborating on the all-nighter, which would see up to 200 13 to 18-year-olds participate ina team-building Burma trail through the bush, laser maze, swimming and bowling. The 12-hour marathon would finish up with a movie and breakfast at 6am tomorrow.
"We want to bring young people together for a positive, non-alcohol, smokefree event ... to have a good and safe time together, no matter what backgrounds they come from," Mr Watts said.
Young people in Northland were often represented negatively in the media and this was a chance for them to connect, he said.
"It was also about showcasing the co-operation among the organisations. We can come together and organise an event and showcase the positive side of young people."
Mr Watts said he suspected most participants would have no trouble staying awake all night - "that's why we jam-pack it with activities". Though, he said the movie which preceded the farewell breakfast was there so those who needed it could grab a quick nap.
The young people participating paid $5 for the event, which had also a received a $6000 grant from Whangarei District Council.
Most participants had been referred by the agencies involved, including Whangarei Youth Space, 24/7 YouthWork, Te Ora Hou, Family Works, Rubicon and Central Baptist Church.
