Holiday activities galore

The next Peter Jackson could be discovered in a short film competition, one of a wealth of fun summer holiday activities at the Youth Booth in Queenstown.

Team leader Poppie Gerber said the Wakatipu Youth Trust was ''really fortunate to have the support of local businesses to be able to do some fantastic things in and around the Queenstown area''.

''This year, we are offering a jam-packed week of excitement to our youth, with rafting, paintball, horse riding and some good old Kiwi fun down by the bay.''

The programme begins with a ''Sk8 Sesh'' at the Queenstown Gardens on Saturday, followed by rafting with Family Adventures on the upper Shotover River next Monday, those taking part meeting at the Youth Booth, in Stanley St, at noon.

Frisbee golf around the Queenstown Gardens will be held on Tuesday, January 22, starting at 11am, while others will meet at the Youth Booth at 11.15am for horse riding at Ben Lomond Station.

Raft building and racing and kite making are set for Horne Creek at Queenstown Bay on Wednesday, January 23, starting at 11am, then the action moves to Jacks Point for paintball at 1.30pm.

Pancake making will be on the menu at the Youth Booth

on Thursday, January 24, starting at 11am, followed by a Day at the Bay involving kayaks, Frisbees and balls from 12.30pm.

A ''film and a feed'' at the Youth Booth is scheduled for January 25 between 3.30pm and 7pm for the short film competition and fish and chips for supper.

Bookings are essential for the holiday programme and some activities such as rafting, horse riding and paintball have limited numbers. Most activities are free but others, such as horse riding ($30) and rafting ($45), attract a charge.

A parent or guardian must sign registrations.

The Youth Booth will be open from January 17 to 19 from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.