Leadership Camp 2024
Rangatahi from across Aotearoa came together in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in May for Leadership Camp.
The focus of Leadership Camp was whanaungatanga - creating connections between our Leaders through shared experiences and working together, to build a sense of belonging – a whānau.
Leadership camp is part of Canteen's Leadership Programme. We have a proud history of rangatahi leadership, and the programme aims to provide rangatahi with opportunities to develop skills and connections that will benefit their long-term future while also contributing to the direction of the organisation.
Leaders took on a range of team-building exercises, including a Canteen Task Master challenge, they strengthened relationships through a collaborative waiata session, and learnt and developed new skills through story-telling and leadership project tasks.
We were also grateful to have inspiring Canteen Ambassador Sulu Fitzpatrick join us, who gave a speech about her journey as a Silver Fern, followed by a questions and answers session.
The core responsibilities of our Leaders include advising, advocating, providing peer support, and community presence. As we strive to work together to build a safe space for all rangatahi impacted by cancer across Aotearoa.
Leadership Camp is a place for rangatahi to build connections with those who understand what they're going through, which rangatahi leader Quinn knows all too well:
"I joined the Canteen Leadership Programme when I turned 16. The Leadership Camps are a crucial part of the support I received through Canteen. Spending a whole weekend with other rangatahi who have been on a similar path to me, instantly connecting and becoming part of the whānau - there’s nothing better than that. Once I arrive at camp, I am instantly happier and feel like I belong somewhere.
“I’ve been able to socialise outside of Canteen with the friends I’ve made through Leadership. Whether it’s been three, six, or nine months since we last saw each other, we can always pick up where we left off. Just knowing that I have people I can turn to, who know what I’m going through and never have any judgement, it’s really amazing.” - Quinn
A huge thank you to Canteen partner Hireace for providing vans to get rangatahi to camp and back home.
