Giving Young People an Edge

The Y Southland is preparing to launch a free weekly youth leadership programme, to empower leaders of the future.

Get an Edge is a weekly programme, designed to give rangatahi the skills and practical opportunities to enhance their leadership, communication, and team building skills.

With an outdoors-focus, Get an Edge is both a nod to the Y’s past, where once hundreds of young people were enrolled in Y Southland outdoors programmes, and an exciting look to the future as the Y seeks to empower the leaders of tomorrow.

Get an Edge is a four-level programme, designed so participants can work their way up and be challenged by new and exciting outdoor experiences as they move through the levels, with activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, tramping, kayaking, camping, archery, and
more.

Y Southland General Manager Jason Holland says Get an Edge will give rangatahi exciting experiences, and skills that will stay with them for life.

“The outdoors offers the chance to teach young people a whole range of practical life skills,” he says.

“Getting out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it’s also empowering. Get an Edge is about giving young people that edge to be the best they can, to experience new things, have fun, challenge themselves, to make friends, and to help them grow in confidence.”

The programme will be led by Y staff who have relevant outdoor-based qualifications and experience with adventure-based learning and activities.

Holland said there were four programme levels participants could work through; each with their own challenges and experiences. Level One of the programme runs weekly over six months (term time only), before Level Two is introduced.

Participants will start with Level One, which has a focus on fun, engaging with the outdoors, and creating a supportive group environment where they feel comfortable to give new things a go and challenge themselves within the outdoors or with adventure-based learning experience. It will run weekly during term time for six months, before Level Two is introduced.

“We’re really grateful to community funders such as Community Trust South, ILT Foundation and Lotteries Community funding, who all support our work in youth development and youth leadership. Because of them we can run this programme free of charge, so it makes a huge difference,” Holland said.

Get an Edge will start in March. More information can be found at www.ysouthland.org.nz.

What: Get an Edge leadership programme
When: Tuesdays during term time, 4pm-5.30pm
Where: Based at the Y Southland (77 Tay St), but will include trips around Southland
Cost: Free
Sign up or find out more: Visit www.ysouthland.org.nz