Echoes of laughter filled the air in Murchison during the last week of May as local youth engaged in an epic Nerf battle.
Armed with foam darts and imagination, they transformed the school hall into a battleground of fun.
The Nerf battle, initiated by the Murchison Youth Council and supported by Murchison Sport Recreational and Cultural Centre, TDC and Murchison Area School, was part of the nationwide Youth Week which is a celebration of youth aged 12 -24. Youth Week events aim to encourage youth to share ideas, take on challenges, and focus on the positive aspects of being young.
“The Nerf battle was hosted at lunchtime over three days, and each day more and more kids started to join in, around 60 youth took part,” activities coordinator at Murchison Sports Recreational and Cultural Centre, Rebecca Hockey, says.
“It’s harder to get outside and be active in the winter months and not all kids are into sports, so we found that this event connected with a wide range of kids and encouraged them to be active in a fun way.”
From elaborate ambushes, daring rescues, capturing the flag, and the last man standing, there was always infectious laughter in the air.
During the last man standing, where kids are working solo to be the last person left at the end of the game, there came a point where everyone had to turn on each other, which was challenging for some, but allowed the kids to experiment, find solutions to problems, work out the best strategies, and build new confidence skills or learn how to sit with defeat.
“We did have a small group of winners to which Buller Canyon Jets have kindly donated white water thrill jet boat rides. The ten kids who get to go on the jet boat are very excited,” Rebecca says.
“Overall, it was an amazing event, full of good laughs all round.”
