Passionist Youth Retreats - North Island 2007

I was very tired at the end of a long term at school when Colin and I headed for Ashurst for the Passionist Youth retreat. My colleagues back at school could not believe that I was mad enough to be choosing to spend a part of my holidays with 25 teenagers. I was beginning to agree with them. But, the truth turned out to be the opposite. I left the camp 4 days later quite revitalised and with my faith in the next generation restored.

The local organisers had done a great job of planning, purchasing and preparing the food. The first evening meal was all precooked in large tin foil trays and just needed reheating. The daily delivery of fresh bread and anything else we decided that we needed made catering a low stress exercise. We even got to entertain ourselves making a few extras like soup, fancy jelly and banoffee pie. We could have coped with a few dozen fewer bananas, but they got put to good use in the end. We seemed to specialise in impromptu changes to the menu and inventive ways to use up leftovers.

The cheerful, if sometimes a bit exuberant, way the youth approached dish washing and drying meant that the most onerous task was over quickly and efficiently every time. There was also the strange disappearance of a jar of marmite, half of which turned up later in random places in the dormitories.

The good company of Norma and Colin in the kitchen meant that the work was always enjoyable and time passed quickly. Vanessa was often on hand to help out when we needed a little extra. She had such a good balance between interacting with the adults, interacting with the youth and doing her own thing. Few children of her age could blend so easily and intrude so little on the proceedings, while still having a good time. I did enjoy our afternoon walks through the reserve when the dinner was all prepared and the youth all busy.reflecting.

By far the most impressive aspect of the retreat was the way that all of the youth were pleasant, positive and polite. No one complained about anything. Everyone ate what was provided and thanked the cooks. No one was fussy about what was offered to them. A few quietly dodged the pumpkin, but without a word and with a smile on their faces.

Joan McLellan