YMCA Tauranga to Carry On Kiwi Camping Tradition

Monday, 28 March 2011, 10:50 am
Press Release: YMCA

March 28, 2011

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

YMCA Tauranga to Carry On Kiwi Camping Tradition

In the modern age of high definition television, gigabytes and PlayStations, it is easy to get caught up in the hype and distraction of modern technology.

But what about the good ol’ days of simple fun when kids didn’t need batteries to have a good time let alone five different remote controls?

The YMCA Tauranga fondly remembers those days and wants to see them come back! That’s why they’ve planned an overnight camp on Wednesday 27th April up at the TECT All Terrain Park as part of its Autumn Holiday Programme.

As YMCA OSCAR Coordinator Valdina Camille-Dawson explains, the aim of the camp is to let kids be kids while in an educational and safe environment.

“In asking kids what they want to do, we found out a lot of them had never slept in a tent,” says Val. “Given that one of the Y’s goals is to get our participants back in the tradition of relying on their natural environment to create their fun, it was a natural choice to take them bush and have them experience the wonders of camping.”

Supervised by TECT All Terrain Park’s Ranger, Jarron McInnes, as well as capable YMCA staff, the kids will get to experience pony rides, abseiling, mountain biking and hut building before going on a night walk. They’ll also be learning how to build a fire and cook on it, star gazing and discovering other bush survival skills.

“I’m really excited by hosting the camp” continues Val. “I remember sitting around the campfire while toasting marshmallows and having a singalong when I was younger. It saddens me to think that not all kids get to experience that these days.”

In addition to hosting an overnight camp, the YMCA Tauranga has a full two weeks of fun planned for the Autumn school holidays. Depending on which Holiday Programme they choose, participants can look forward to going scuba diving, having Gorgeous to Ghoulish makeovers, tramping in Karangahake Gorge and hunting for Easter eggs.

For more information on how your kids can have heaps of holiday fun while making friends, learning life skills, and being nurtured by a great team of dedicated staff, contact the YMCA Tauranga office on (07) 578 9272 or visit www.ymcatauranga.org.nz.

About YMCA Tauranga

To us, it’s all about showing your spirit. Ask yourself, when was the last time you showed yours?

Most people hold tightly onto theirs, often too shy to release it. Some people let their spirit run wild, and sometimes have to rein it in- and we meet tonnes of people who have just never been shown how to find theirs. You also get the occasional person who reckons they are just saving their spirit for later.

At the YMCA we work with people to help find their spirit, so they can make the most of their experience and unleash their potential on the world around them.
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YMCA

Building strong kids, strong families and strong communities

The Y has been in New Zealand for over 168 years, building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. There are 48 Y centres across New Zealand.

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