Our LEAP participants are now halfway through their LSV journey at Trentham Military Camp in Lower Hutt – and they’re doing us proud!
Last week, they faced one of the toughest challenges yet: the Longest Day at Trentham in Wellington. Starting at 4am in soaking wet conditions, they pushed through until midday, when the event was called off due to weather. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but they showed incredible grit, determination and even managed to keep smiles on their faces.

We had the privilege of walking alongside these remarkable young people for six weeks during our LEAP course before they began their LSV adventure. Now, with just three weeks to go, the transformation is truly inspiring.

The Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) camp at Trentham Military Camp is a free, six-week residential programme run by the NZ Defence Force in partnership with Work & Income. Designed for 17–24-year-olds not in work, education, or training, it builds confidence, discipline and resilience through a structured routine, physical challenges, teamwork, and life skills training like CV writing and budgeting. Participants often experience significant personal transformation – gaining fitness, motivation and job-readiness – while earning NZQA credits and connecting with potential employers. Many graduates move on to employment, further training, or even military service, with the programme widely praised for its positive, lasting impact.

We can’t wait to cheer them on at March Out on the 26th of July.

Watch this space!