Oh my gosh! It is seven days till International Camp in New Zealand, and I have left my evening gown at National Camp! What am I going to do? I have nothing to wear to the Gala Ball. It’s the Kain family from Alice Springs to the rescue! They bring my dress all the way back from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and then post it to my Aunt in Victoria, because I am there on holidays. An incredible thanks to the Kain family for responding to my distress call, so quickly and efficiently.

After a long trek, representatives from all over this Great South Land of Australia are finally descending on New Zealand, the “Land of the long White Cloud”! Australia and the other participating countries, Canada, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Wales are welcomed at Lincoln University, with a traditional Maori “Powhiri” (welcome). The powhiri is written especially for St John, New Zealand. “Takitini Taku Toa”- “Our Unity Is Our Strength” is performed by members of the New Zealand divisions. Following this, we are greeted with “hongis” (the pressing of noses) for all the participating countries, by the New Zealanders.

After dinner, we all participate in the Opening Ceremony, where the flags of each country are hoisted up. The St John flag is then also hoisted up, uniting the countries as one St John family. I then drag myself up three flights of stairs to tumble exhausted into bed.

The next day competitors are up bright and early, to change into uniform, have a hearty breakfast, and wait for the beginning of the International Comps. The scenarios consist mainly of a car accident and a plane crash. Australia comes in second on two occasions out of a possible eight events. The New Zealand team blitzes the events except for one which Canada wins.

After the competitions, all the cadets go through the superman telephone box to transform into secret identity superhero costumes. Superheroes from around the world meet and dance together at the Superhero Dance Party!

On the Wednesday, we all go to a sports field two minutes walk outside of Christchurch. We then divide into random groups of about twenty, to compete in the Amazing Race! In our groups we walk around Christchurch, finding sights, completing challenges, and having a great time. After the Amazing Race we all head up to Port Hills, to have our dinner, over-looking the lovely city of Christchurch.

The following day we start with a trip to the Hanmer Hot Springs. After a fantastic morning of swimming, sliding, and saunas we head down the track about seven kilometres to our jet boating, and bungee jumping. The jet-boating consists of a thirty kilometre trip down the lovely Waiau Gorge, coming within just centimetres of the sheer cliff wall! It is adrenalin packed activity with lots of laughter and screams, to much of which I contribute!

Another activity is the Bungee Jumping. Propelling off a thirty meter high bridge, with nothing but an enormous elastic band to brake their fall is only for the courageous or as some people say, “those who have no sense!!! These adrenalin seekers go soaring thought the air at lightning speed! I decide it is far more prudent for me to stay at ground level and take photos.

After such an exciting day it is great to relax at        the Hanmer farm, complete with sheep shearing, cow milking and hairy pigs a -snorting. After a look around, the BBQ food is hungrily consumed by four hundred hungry cadets and adults! This makes the hairy pigs appear civilized by comparison!

After a well earned good night’s sleep; we wake up to another awesome day. About three young people from every contingent give a report about serious issues facing 21st century youth in their country. Amy, Heidi and Casey speak about issues such as homelessness in Australia. After the reports, we all discuss what action may be taken to help reduce some of the problems.

After an incredible enlightening morning of brainstorming, it is time to get sporty, thanks to the IYF World Sports Championship. The action is non-stop, with dodge ball, hockey, as well as an obstacle course. Tug-of-war is a hit as in the last round, the rope decides to abruptly snap on us. Everyone tugging at the time falls over with a domino effect!

Glad this didn’t happen for the intrepid bungee jumpers!

Following this it is a great treat to be able to sit down and watch/participate in the fantastic cultural showcase. With a variety of songs, skits, dances, and more, the whole night is alive with presentations of culture from around the world. The Aussies perform a skit involving representatives from every state and territory. My role is that of an ocker Northern Territorian helping some lost international visitors.

Another day gone and it is the last full day of camp. Today I finally get to achieve my dream to surf. Well, I try anyway. However, I do manage to stand on the board and ride two waves. It is such a rush. I then dash to the Antarctic Centre and see real penguins, get rugged up to enter a room replica of Antarctica, with a temperature of -8 degrees Celsius, and also view a breath taking slideshow of Antarctica.

And what better way to end a fantastic week, then with a Gala ball at the Air Force Museum. This is a chance for everyone to get dressed in their best outfit, for a night of five-star food, singing, and dancing to a live, local band.

In the morning, it is an early start for some, not so early for others. As for the Aussie mob, we leave around lunch time for Sydney, and from there to our respective states/territories. There are goodbyes all around with promises to stay in touch.

International and national friendships were forged in the adventure which was the International Youth Festival. I can’t wait for the next one to be held in Queensland in 2014.

Article by
Kirsty Janssen