Over eight weeks, 12 teenage boys came together for Big Buddy’s Auckland Group Programme 10, an experience designed to build confidence, resilience, communication skills, trust and meaningful connections.
Through a combination of workshops, outdoor challenges and a four-day camp, the young men were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills and discover what they’re capable of. Each boy arrived with their own challenges, experiences and expectations, but together they formed a supportive group that learned, laughed and grew alongside one another.
Setting the Foundation
The programme began with an Orientation Evening, giving the boys their first opportunity to meet the mentors, facilitators and each other. Through a series of icebreakers and activities, the group started forming connections while learning what the programme would involve and the commitment required to see it through.
The first workshop focused on creating a positive group culture. Together, the boys established the values and behaviours they wanted to uphold throughout the programme. These were captured on a Rākau (talking stick), with each boy contributing words and phrases that reflected what mattered most to them. The Rākau then accompanied the group for the remainder of their journey, serving as a reminder of the culture they had created together.
Learning Through Challenge
Outdoor adventures played an important role in helping the boys build confidence and resilience.
At the High Ropes Course in Henderson, participants faced both physical and mental challenges. Despite wet weather cutting the day short, every boy showed courage and determination, pushing themselves to their own personal limits while supporting their peers to do the same.
Back in the workshop environment, activities focused on communication, active listening and understanding different perspectives. Through engaging exercises, the boys explored the impact of truly listening to others and learned how looking at situations from another person’s point of view can change understanding and strengthen relationships.
The Power of Teamwork
One of the programme highlights was a raft-building challenge at Lake Pupuke. Working in teams, the boys were tasked with designing, building and racing their own rafts.
The activity brought plenty of excitement, problem-solving and moments of frustration. When both rafts quickly met their fate and sank, the teams switched to giant paddleboards, where they discovered firsthand the importance of working together and moving in the same direction. It became a powerful metaphor for life and the value of collaboration.
The day also produced a memorable moment when one participant wished the programme’s two fathers a happy Father’s Day. It was a simple but touching gesture that demonstrated the empathy and awareness developing within the group.
Building Trust
As the weeks progressed, a strong sense of connection began to emerge.
A standout activity was the “Trust Blanket”, where each boy had the opportunity to be lifted and supported by the group. For some, particularly those who found trust challenging, the exercise required courage and vulnerability. The boys also took turns leading the activity themselves, helping to build both confidence and leadership skills.
Outdoor rock climbing at Maungarei Springs Wetland Reserve provided another opportunity to develop trust and responsibility. Working in pairs, participants belayed one another, relying on clear communication and mutual support. While some boys tackled the climbs with confidence and others faced significant personal challenges, the encouragement from mentors and peers created an environment where everyone could succeed.
An Adventure to Remember
The programme culminated in a four-day camp in the Huia and Whatipu area, based at Huia Lodge and including a night of tent camping at Karamatura Campground.
For some of the boys, this was their first experience spending extended time away from home or exploring the outdoors in this way. The camp challenged them physically, mentally and emotionally as they tackled coastal and bush walks, caving, swamp-bashing adventures, camp cooking and early morning walks, with the option of a swim in the sea for the brave.
Alongside the adventure were opportunities for reflection, discussion and future planning. Away from daily distractions, the boys had space to think about who they are, where they’re heading and the kind of young men they want to become.
Celebrating Growth
The journey concluded with a Homecoming Hui attended by parents, caregivers, whānau and mentors.
The boys shared reflections on their experiences, celebrated the friendships they had built and acknowledged the challenges they had overcome. A song was performed, certificates were presented, and the group took time to recognise the growth that had occurred over the previous eight weeks.
While the programme may have come to an end, the lessons learned, the connections formed and the confidence gained will continue to travel with these young men into the future.
For Big Buddy, Auckland Group Programme 10 was another reminder of what can happen when young people are given opportunities to be challenged, supported and encouraged to grow together.
