Established more than 100 years ago, Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges continues to provide thousands of Kiwi kids the chance to experience the great outdoors.
First opened in 1913, the site overlooking the Hunua Ranges Regional Park today includes four self-contained areas that can house more than 430 people.
Community and family groups, corporates and sports teams all use the facility, run by The Y, formerly YMCA North.
But it’s the school camps that Auckland Council and many of its 21 local boards support.
Franklin Local Board recently agreed a partnership for the next three years.
Board chair Angela Fulljames says the camp’s isolated location means some locals are unaware of the role it plays in children’s lives.
“We can think of our home as a rural paradise with space to play in and explore but most of our kids live in urban areas, and many have no access to a real outdoors experience,” she explains.
“That’s particularly true of schools serving some of our less affluent areas, and the ability to head to these camps means those children don’t miss out.
“No one who has been to Camp Adair and seen children wading through mud, or building a camp with mates can doubt the value of the experience.”
Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole agrees.
“We’ve been supporters for a long time. Many of our kids come back raving about what they’ve done,” he says.
“All we hear is maths and English, maths and English, but experiences like these can’t be undervalued. The kids might not be in a classroom as we know it, but they are still learning.”
Manurewa Local Board chair Matt Winiata is another supporter.
“We have Tōtara Park so we are luckier than some, and our parks staff even offer camping during the year, but there’s no substitute for a school camp.
“Most of us have fond memories of camps. I was fortunate to spend time at Camp Adair during my Homai Primary School days and I have enduring memories of that. I know Manurewa and Papakura schools were there only last week.
“We often say how we should listen to young people, and we have no doubt the kids who were there would tell us how much they enjoyed it, and to keep contributing.
“For many, opportunities to use obstacle courses, roam in bush and to go camping don’t come often, and for some they would be out of reach but for Camp Adair. We’re grateful for what it offers. Let’s hope it can continue for another century.”
To find out more about Camp Adair go here.
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