Shawn Samuels. Photo suppliedVolunteering for a school holiday programme has been a good opportunity for Shawn Samuels to look at ways to volunteer in the future.

The YMCA Mid Canterbury student recently spent his own school holidays as a youth leader helping to run the campus Breakaway holiday programme for 11 to 17-year-olds.

Activities on the agenda included archery, a mini Olympics, swimming and football played in giant bubble suits.

“Volunteering has given me something to do during the school holidays,” he said.

“It’s all about helping the kids out, getting them to look after each other and support them.”

A keen mountain biker, Shawn said he was able to utilise the skills he learned during his eight years of biking for the various physical activities on Breakaway.

One of the motivations for volunteering was to set a good example for the younger kids on the programme who he hoped would become youth leaders as well one day.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and enjoyed teaching the younger kids,” he said.

Shawn hopes to become a truck driver when he finishes his study and is keen to look at how he can incorporate more volunteering into his future.

YMCA South and Mid Canterbury manager/community and youth development Poppy Cooper-Vear said she was proud to have some of her students sharing their time by volunteering on the holiday programme.

“Everybody’s time is precious, regardless of how old you are,” she said.

“All youth leaders attend our youth leadership course before starting the programme.

“It’s an opportunity to come together as a team and learn skills in conflict resolution, bullying, sport and recreation facilitation, and risk management.

“They also learn YMCA values which are respect, honesty, responsibility and caring.

“We say, ‘be the type of leader you would follow’.”

© The Ashburton Guardian - 2 May 2017