Twenty-five students from Ruapehu College endured almost no sleep, an army assault course and some mental challenges in the Longest Day last week.
The Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support programme (Cactus) is designed to extend a young person's mind and physical capability, with a focus on teamwork, goal setting, leadership and discipline.
Course leader Senior Constable Lane Demchy and his team of volunteers from the police, college and NZ Army encouraged the students to look and listen before they act and increase their future opportunities.
Over the past 10 weeks, students have been hitting their boot camp style training three days a week, but nothing could prepare them for the notorious Longest Day.
At 3pm on Friday the happy troupe headed off to the army base in Waiouru full of energy and smiles as they settled into their accommodation and went to the pool for a challenge session. As if to lull the students into a false sense of security, the happy series of exercises continued throughout the evening with bedtime declared at 10.30pm.