Dianne Gates

I have just been reading about adventurer Sir Graeme Dingle, who has a new book out.

Reading through a One News article, I see that besides being an amazing man and hero, he made a comment that pertinent to the ridiculous concept that the National Party has towards already traumatised young kids who are heading towards these very expensive and negative “boot camps”.

From Dingle: “I’ve seen so many kids transformed by the outdoors. That’s my greatest feeling of fulfilment – that I’ve been able to help so many young people through The Graeme Dingle Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering kids through youth development programmes. I’ve also learned the principles of keeping something going.

“With a profit-motivated company there’s a clear bottom line. Our bottom line was proving that what we set out to do worked, and I think that goal has sustained us through the 30 years and the 400,000 kids who’ve come through the programme.

That’s the same number again that have come through the Hillary Outdoors Centre.  

These centres have been running in New Zealand for years. The Government could be paying these camps to assist the “at risk” kids in a much more constructive and supported way.  Let’s go with the proven method.