Mia Cable and Blake Affleck headed north during the first week of their school holidays when they attended the New Zealand Area Schools Leadership Camp in Akaroa. This leadership camp brought together Area School students from all over New Zealand, spanning from Raglan Area School to Waiau Area School. 

The camp offered a wide variety of activities designed to challenge and team build, ranging from coast steering, raft building, to heart-pounding high ropes and the iconic giant swing. Among these activities, the giant swing emerged as a personal favourite for both Mia and Blake. This involved being hoisted up to a height of up to 17 meters by other group members and then released, sending them soaring through the air in a harness.

Besides the adrenaline-pumping activities, the camp provided invaluable opportunities for leadership development and team building. Mia and Blake not only extended their leadership skills and obtained credits but also gained friendships. 

They enjoyed the chance to try something new and to step out of their comfort zones and learn from peers across the country. The New Zealand Area Schools Leadership Camp happens yearly and both Mia and Blake would highly recommend it to any student if they are offered the opportunity!