To Infinity & Beyond -- October Camp 2014

“To Infinity & Beyond” through the Milky Way, past stars, all the way to Mars and back to Earth.  The latest holiday camp at Lonsdale Park was a space odyssey of truly epic proportions.  The 55 children who signed up for this adventure were sent to 4 different planets for the week.  The week began with dinner in the dark ; ration packs being handed out along with glosticks to help them on their way.  Mars, Neptune, Pluto & Venus were proudly represented in all sort of activities including a very wet and tropical Space hunt for clues which led them on to a Space Race.  The Bush Walk & cooking lunch on a fire was also enjoyed along with the usual camp activities of archery, quad bike rides, the confidence & blindfold course and lots of organised games. Uncle Jono and his specialist drama team continued the space theme in the daily chapel times as we learnt about how the world was made.  The final camp send off with a night around the fire toasting marshmallows, looking at the stars through a telescope & singing songs was hampered by the rain but instead led to an impromptu Talent Quest indoors that produced some hidden gems.  The night finished with a blast as we let 6 lanterns off up into space.  The team which ended up with the most rocket fuel and won the big overall prize was Neptune and congratulations to Kiah & Nellie Young who were awarded the top camper prizes.  A big thankyou once again to all the youth leaders and adult helpers who served tirelessly for the week and made camp happen.  Also a huge thankyou to local businesses Pak n Save, Bells & JNL for their generous donations, and to other individuals & churches who gave resources and time towards camp.  All the photos can be found here.  

We will be taking a break over summer & our next camp is planned for the April holidays.

To Infinity & Beyond - Spring Camp 2014

Reach for the stars! We are taking a week long journey into space to discover all sorts of hidden treasure & adventures. Come & join us on this space odyssey as we go to Infinity & Beyond :-)

Dates: Sunday 28th September - Friday 3rd October 2014
Price: $120
Theme: To Infinity & Beyond

Click here for a registration form to print out & post to us or click here to register online.

 **Online Registration opens Monday 18th August
 Registration forms will also be sent to those on the mailing list & schools this week. (If you're not on the list click on the subscribe button.)

 If you would like to be a leader, click here for info & application forms -- online or the print version.

 *FYI - We will not be running a camp this summer, so the next camp planned (after this one) is not until April 2015

Trust Power Community Awards

We were stoked & humbled to received Runner-Up in the Trustpower Community Awards - Education section.
We are thankful for all the volunteer hours that goes into to making these camps happen!

In the local paper again :-)

Egyptian Adventure -- April Camp 2014

We started our Egyptian Adventure with a “feast on the floor” which included yummy pita pocket kebabs.  We also enjoyed a day at the beach building pyramids, a crazy ancient treasure wide game, some fantastic craft groups, and the usual games and activities including sled rides behind the quad bike.  The food was fantastic, the weather mostly good and from all reports every kid had a great time.  One child described it as the “best few days of his life so far”!  We ended the camp with “Egypt has talent” which was a great climax to camp.   Our chapel times were based around the story of Joseph and some of our leaders “wowed” us with their acting skills each night as they dug up different artefacts of Joseph’s life. 

This was our 10^th camp since we  started 3 years ago and I think they just keep getting better.  We were again full with 50 children, 10 adults & 10 student leaders.  It was a great time, that was only made possible by willing people and a generous community who helped make it happen. We would again like to thank Bells Produce, the Salvation Army and other individuals who donated food.  We would also like to thank the local churches who helped in many ways including resources and helpers.  There were also many others who helped, contributed and donated in loads of different ways – thankyou! 

You can find the photos & video of this camp here on our website.  Our next camp is planned for the first week in the October school holidays. 

Egyptian Adventure

The jungle is a distant memory as we head north towards the desert.  Shadowy triangles loom on the horizon as we pause for a drink...
Are you ready to embark on a EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE?  These coming holidays we will take you via camels, through the desert, up sand dunes, through caves, discovering treasure & making friends.  If you think you can handle it, then get your registration form in quick so as not to miss out! 

Dates: Sunday 27th April   - Friday 2nd May 2014
Price: $120
Theme: Egyptian Adventure

Click here for a registration form to print out & post to us or click here to register online.

**Online Registration opens Monday 11th March 

Registration forms will also be sent to those on the mailing list & schools this week. (If you're not on the list click on the subscribe button.) 

If you would like to be a leader, click here for info & application forms -- online or the print version.  

We also have 15 free camps to give to children aged 11-12 who would benefit from a week away.  Please contact us for more details or click here for a sponsorship registration form.Preference for these spots will be given to children based on need & not having been to camp before.  

Another report in the Northland Age

King of the Jungle -- Summer Camp 2014

The mood was certainly tropical as the campers began to register for King of the Jungle camp in the misty rain.  This did not dampen the enthusiasm though as they kicked off the camp by sculpting from play dough their team mascots & preparing a chant to represent their tribe.  From the pink zebras, to the yellow lions, orange tigers & blue elephants each team stood their ground as they survived the ordeals of jungle life. 

The campers enjoyed the beach trip with sculptures, the big dig and a swim to cool off with.  The safari adventure the next day was a big hit & had all the adults & leaders hiding in rather strange places.  The bush walk was again a success, & the giant waterslide on the last day was some good old fashioned kiwi fun.  The regular activities of the confidence course, archery, slug-gun shooting & go kart driving were well enjoyed alongside the usual games.  Possibly the highlight for many children would have been partaking of some jungle food in the form of a 10 meter long banana split!

We had our traditional serial story each night – this time it featured “Madagascar 7” which was written & read by our guest speaker from Sydney.  We also enjoyed Safari Adventures each morning with our Jungle Explorer Aunty Steph.  All the kids enjoyed the theme song & other singing and as camp wound down with our last night bonfire and marshmallows, it was great to hear the kid’s voices under the stars. 

Through the ups & downs, comebacks & losses it was the mighty Tigers who came out on top taking away the coveted “best team” prize.  Lois Ratima & Kauri Travers were awarded the best girl & boy camper awards. 

We would like to thank once again the many individuals, churches & businesses who helped to make the camp possible. Special thanks to Shackeltons Pharmacy for donating items for our first aid kit, to Karikari Educare & the Salvation Army for the use of their vans, and to LJ Hooker for the use of their gazebos.  Our next camp will be 27^th April – May 2^nd.  Check out the camp photos here.