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2020 Back Country Tramping Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 10am Friday 11th Dec - 8pm Tuesday 15th Dec 20
  • Co-Ed School Years 11 - 13​
  • $280 (includes transport to and from location and main meals)
Enrol Now!

About this tramping camp

This backcountry tramping trip takes us along the spectacular yet rugged South Coast Tramping track in the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island. We head into the remote reaches of Fiordland National Park.

The amazing thing about this tramp is there are no hills – just lot’s and lot’s of mud and roots!

We are heading to the same location that the Junior Tramping Camp is heading but don’t be fooled into thinking it will be a “dawdle in the park”:

  • The distances are bigger
  • The track is rougher in places
  • It’s a extra day!

However we will still tramp along golden beaches (which often includes seeing Hectors Dolphins close to shore), and old bush tramways which are dead flat (but also sometimes quite muddy!)

We walk still cross all the wooden viaducts including the Percy Burn Viaduct (the tallest wooden viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere).

To finish the tramp off on the last day we get to travel on the Wairaurahiri Jet for 90 minutes up the Wairaurahiri River and across Lake Hauroko ( NZ’s deepest lake at 632m and the 17th-deepest of the world’s 5 million lakes). The Wairaurahiri River is also known as “New Zealand’s longest waterfall” as it drops 200m in its 27km length.

Location

We are tramping “as much as we can fit” of the South Coast Track near Tuatapere in Southland.

The actual tramping track takes us along the southern boundary of Fiordland National Park along the rugged coastline of the Southern Ocean.

Itinerary

Our intended plan is:

  • Friday 11th December
    We travel from Waihola to Lake Hauroko to catch the Wairaurahiri Jet for our ride down to the Wairaurahiri river from the Lake Hauroko road end. The boat ride lasts 90 minutes and is one of the most spectacular jet boat trips in the world as we drop around 200 metres of altitude over 34kms of Grade 3 rapids. This river is the fastest-flowing navigable river in New Zealand and is a breath-taking ride! We stay in the Wairaurahiri Hut.
  • Saturday 12th December
    Start tramping early we head to the Waitutu Hut (6 hours, 13km) where we will stay the night. The forest we travel through on this leg of our trip is some of the most spectacular in the country. The bird song is astounding as we are greeted with Kaka, Tui and Bellbird song. Once we’ve arrived at the Waitutu Hut In the afternoon we will explore the surrounding area.
  • Sunday 4th October
    A big day trip to Westies Hut at Prices Harbour. This crazy hut is built in sea cave and is on my bucket list to visit. We then return the same way back to Waitutu Hut for another night (10 hours, 24km).
  • Monday 5th October
    Tramp back to Wairaurahiri Hut for a late lunch / afternoon tea and then on through to the Percy Burn Viaduct Hut. (7 hours, 20km). We sleep the night next to the Percy Burn Viaduct that is 36m high and 125m long.
  • Tuesday 6th October
    Our final day has us tramping past Port Craig through to the Rarakau road end. Past beaches featuring hectors dolphins and gemstones. (8 hours, 26km)

CYC Waihola Tramping Camps Feature...

Backcountry Huts and Tents

We will be staying in public DOC back-country huts* in the remote wilderness - these huts give us some shelter but are often cold meaning warm clothing is a must. But the scenery is oh....so amazing!

* we also take tents just in case there is no room for us in the huts

Fun and Games

With no power or cellphone coverage*, we have plenty of time to play cool games like "The Most Awesome Game in the World" and make our own fun in the wilderness.


* we have a satellite communicator for emergencies

Good Food

Tramping is all about walking, good company and eating food. Lots of snacks to build up your energy for tramping

Testimonials from previous tramping camps...

"I really really loved the tramp up the Huxley valley - it was so fun. I so wish I was able to go again!"
Anon
2012 Tramping Camp Camper
"It was my first tramp and I had no idea what I was doing but that tramping trip down the South Coast was one of my best memories as a teenager. Now I'm in my twenties I'm still doing lots of tramping"
Anon
2013 Tramping Camp Camper
"I just wanted to thank you very much for the tramp in the Hollyford. [My daughter] loved it and she has been talking about it a lot since ... [she] came back further encouraged spiritually"
Anon
2019 Junior Tramping Camp Parent

Essentials to know before you enroll...

These are essentials to know before you enrol in this tramping camp:

  • You will need good fitness and be able to walk at least 20km each day on the flat. You can start building fitness now by going for increasingly long walks each week.
  • You will need to carry all your own gear and food in a tramping pack. We will not carry your food, clothes or even your hairbrush for you. As an group tramping camp we will also be carrying shared equipment which you will need to carry your share of.
  • There are some essential gear requirements for tramping. These include the following non-negotiable items to keep you warm and safe in the wilderness:
    • Good boots with ankle support
    • Warm Sleeping Bag (not a “cheap warehouse one”) – ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IT IS RATED TO -10oC or greater 
    • Waterproof rain jacket (not a “nylon parka”)
    • Good thermal layers (base, mid and top)
    • Waterproof dry bags or pack liner
  •  Our leadership consists of leaders with a combined total of over 100 years tramping experience in the wilderness.

2020 Junior Tramping Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 1.00pm 2nd October - 8pm 6th October 2020
  • Co-Ed School Years 7 - 10
  • $280 (includes transport to and from location and main meals)
Enrol Now!

About this tramping camp

This tramping trip takes us along the spectacular yet rugged South Coast Tramping track in the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island. We head into the remote reaches of Fiordland National Park.

The amazing thing about this tramp is there is no hills. We tramp along golden beaches (which often includes seeing Hectors Dolphins close to shore), and old bush tramways which are dead flat (but also sometimes quite muddy!)

We walk across several large wooden viaducts including the Percy Burn Viaduct (the tallest wooden viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere).

To finish the tramp off on the last day we get to travel on the Wairaurahiri Jet for 90 minutes up the Wairaurahiri River and across Lake Hauroko ( NZ’s deepest lake at 632m and the 17th-deepest of the world’s 5 million lakes). The Wairaurahiri River is also known as “New Zealand’s longest waterfall” as it drops 200m in its 27km length.

Location

We are tramping the first part of the South Coast Track near Tuatapere in Southland.

The actual tramping track takes us along the southern boundary of Fiordland National Park along the rugged coastline of the Southern Ocean.

Itinerary

Our intended plan is:

  • Friday 2nd October
    We travel to Riverton to stay overnight at a crib ready for an early start the next morning.
  • Saturday 3rd October
    Start tramping early from Rarakau carpark to Port Craig Hut (7 hours, 20km) where we will stay the night. It’s easy tramping along a beach and bush track. In fact this is actually day 1 of the Humpridge track. Each time I have tramped this route I have seen dolphins.
  • Sunday 4th October
    We tramp from Port Craig Hut through to Wairaurahiri Hut (6 hours, 16km). This is the day we cross at 4 large wooden viaducts. The Percy Burn is 36m high and 125m long. The tramping this day is along an old bush tramway and is completely flat for nearly the whole day only dropping down 2 river terraces as we near the hut.
  • Monday 5th October
    A day trip towards the Waitutu Hut (we probably won’t get to this hut however). The forest we travel through on our day trip is some of the most spectacular in the country. The bird song is astounding as we are greeted with Kaka, Tui and Bellbird song. We will try to find the old live deer capture pens on the ruggedest beach you’ve ever seen. There is no land between these beaches and Antarctica.
  • Tuesday 6th October
    We explore the Wairaurahiri river mouth and beach before meeting the Wairaurahiri Jet for our ride to the Lake Hauroko road end – the boat ride lasts 90 minutes and is one of the most spectacular jet boat trips in the world as we climb around 200 metres of altitude over 34kms of Grade 3 rapids. This river is the fastest-flowing navigable river in New Zealand ​and is a breath-taking ride!

CYC Waihola Tramping Camps Feature...

Backcountry Huts and Tents

We will be staying in public DOC back-country huts* in the remote wilderness - these huts give us some shelter but are often cold meaning warm clothing is a must. But the scenery is oh....so amazing!

* we also take tents just in case there is no room for us in the huts

Fun and Games

With no power or cellphone coverage*, we have plenty of time to play cool games like "The Most Awesome Game in the World" and make our own fun in the wilderness.


* we have a satellite communicator for emergencies

Good Food

Tramping is all about walking, good company and eating food. Lots of snacks to build up your energy for tramping

Testimonials from previous tramping camps...

"The tramping camp down the Hollyford [in 2019] was one of the best CYC camps I've ever been on."
Anon
2019 Junior Tramping Camp Camper
"It was my first tramp and I had no idea what I was doing but that tramping trip down the South Coast was one of my best memories as a teenager. Now I'm in my twenties I'm still doing lots of tramping"
Anon
2013 Tramping Camp Camper
"I just wanted to thank you very much for the tramp in the Hollyford. [My daughter] loved it and she has been talking about it a lot since ... [she] came back further encouraged spiritually"
Anon
2019 Junior Tramping Camp Parent

Essentials to know before you enroll...

These are essentials to know before you enrol in this tramping camp:

  • You will need good fitness and be able to walk at least 20km each day on the flat. You can start building fitness now by going for increasingly long walks each week.
  • You will need to carry all your own gear and food in a tramping pack. We will not carry your food, clothes or even your hairbrush for you. As an group tramping camp we will also be carrying shared equipment which you will need to carry your share of.
  • There are some essential gear requirements for tramping. These include the following non-negotiable items to keep you warm and safe in the wilderness:
    • Good boots with ankle support
    • Warm Sleeping Bag (not a “cheap warehouse one”) – ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IT IS RATED TO -10oC or greater 
    • Waterproof rain jacket (not a “nylon parka”)
    • Good thermal layers (base, mid and top)
    • Waterproof dry bags or pack liner
  •  Our leadership consists of leaders with a combined total of over 100 years tramping experience in the wilderness.

2020 Techno Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 10.30am 28th September - 2.30pm 2nd October 2020
  • Boys in School Year 8 to 11 in 2020
  • $220 (Discounts may apply)
Enrol Now!

About this Camp

  • Love computers – so do we and we thought lets get 20 of them and run a sweet camp for all those hard core gamers out there.

Counter Strike, Team Fortress, Crysis and other games have been played in the past at this sweet camp.

But don’t think its just computers we do at camp …. not at all … in the past we have also:

  • building some ultimate air bottle rockets that should get some serious air time
  • electronic project construction – have you ever built your own computer before?
  • using GPS’s with a twist
  • Drone raced 
Oh … and did I mention we spend an entire afternoon at camp paint-balling. That’s right paint-ball. Taking the computer gaming scenarios and computer game shooting from computer outside and apply it to …. well each other … with paint!!
 
Small Print: CYC Waihola does not condone shooting each other unless it’s done with love ……. and paint 🙂

There are only 20 spaces at this extremely popular camp – so get in early and Enrol online now.

2020 Junior Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 10.30am 5th October - 2.30pm 7th October​
  • Co-Ed Children School Years 2 to 4 in 2020​
  • $140 (Discounts may apply)
Enrol Now!

ALL NEW JUNIOR CAMP

Come along to our first ever Junior Camp for school years 2 to 4.

Get a taste of camping and DISCOVER the fun that is CYC Waihola

Limited spaces so get in quick…

About this camp

3 days of ACTION PACKED Superhero fun

Aimed at helping younger children to experience CYC Waihola. 

This camp will have a higher ratio of leaders to campers, allowing us to give more time to support each individual camper get the most out of their camping experience. 

Campers will get to try out some of the awesome activities we have here at CYC, All with a superhero twist. 

Come along and discover your Superhero identity and learn who the Ultimate Superhero is….

 

Camp Features

Fly like Superman

Agility training

Shoot like Hawkeye

Super Sluthing

Learn to fly like Superman or Women along our famous Zipline

Partice your Superhero agility through our customised training course

Learn to shoot arrows like Hawkeye

Search for clues to find the super villans

Fellowship Day – 27th June 2020

Posted on by CYC Waihola

We welcome you to CYC Waihola on Saturday 27th of June to our first Fellowship Day of the year.

It’s a chance to come along and get involved in some of the “behind the scenes” tasks that need to be done. 

So if you’re new to CYC Waihola, come along to get to know some of our staff and long serving volunteers as you work and fellowship alongside them. For those that are “old hands” at CYC Waihola come along and encourage the next generation of volunteers. It will be full of fun and fellowship.

 If the weather is bad we will still run and will appreciate you coming along, there are inside tasks to be completed.

Plan for the day.

  • Meet at camp at 9:00am and at the Main Lodge.
  • Lunch at 12:00pm. Either bring your own lunch or something to share – we’ll provide hot-dogs and hot drinks.
  • Unless you have to head off, stay for some ‘Friendly Competition’ in Archery Tag and have a chance to have some fun together before the day finishes.

 

Fellowship day jobs.

Gardening

Green thumb or not this is the perfect job to get out side and chat as you pull weeds.

Spring Cleaning

As Rapunzel from the Disney Tangled movie sings:
"nine a.m., the usual morning lineup Start on the dusting and sweep till the bunk room's all clean. Polish and wax, do windows, and mop and shine up"
Plenty of different cleaning jobs needing to be done!

Pruning

Try your hand at using 'giant gardening scissors' to prune the bushes and trees!

Who wouldn't want to do this?

Tussock group

Digging up, shifting and replanting tussocks at the camp to improve the landscaping and visual appeal of the campsite.

After all tussocks are so great because they are always outstanding in their field.

2020 Family Camp

Posted on by CYC Waihola

Cancellation (20th March 2020):

It is with much regret that the CYC Waihola Council of Management have decided to cancel this year’s family camp. 
 
Given the increasing spread of Covid-19 and the Government’s announcement yesterday that mass gatherings of more than 100 people inside are banned, our Council of Management believed it prudent and wise to cancel rather than modify the camp format.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:38-39 

Please note:

  • All attendees at our Family Camp must register online for catering and health/safety purposes.
  • Unfortunately our on-site accommodation is now full – however you can register for the waiting list.

About this Camp

  • 4.30pm Monday 20th April - 1:30pm Friday 24th April 2020
  • All ages families and adults (teenagers and children must be registered with a family during the week under supervision of an adult)
  • Attendance by donation
Register Now

CYC Waihola Family Camp is a camp of fellowship, teaching, discussion, great fun, good food and above all getting closer to God through His Holy Scriptures.

The camp is for all families, couples and individuals that desire to dig deeper into the historic faith of the Scriptures. CYC Waihola puts together this camp believing that the Bible is fully inspired by God and is the final authority on all matters of the Christian faith.

The Family Camp committee expects all those at camp to attend all meetings, fully support the camp programme and happily observe the posted camp rules. You will also be expected to assist with camp duties where possible.

Camp Speakers

Here are some of the speakers we have lined up to speak this year….

Alfie Orr

Bio:
Alfie Orr was born in Northern Ireland and came to NZ when he was 21. After marrying his wife Elsie, they went to live in Ireland. At present he is the pastor of South City Reformed Baptist Church in South Auckland. The church started as a church plant about five and a half years ago. He has also pastored churches in both New Zealand and Northern Ireland for over forty years. They have four children and now have eight grandchildren.

Topic:
‘Christ and His Care for His Church.’  Studies in the book of Revelation; chapters 1 to 5.

John Van Rij

Bio:
John and his wife Alex have lived in Invercargill since 2016 serving at the Grace Presbyterian Church there. John and Alex were married in Auckland, and soon after went to the States to study at Covenant theological Seminary in St Louis. 

Topic:
Kept for Judgement or Kept for Christ?
Very often we can imagine that the the greatest hinderances to the Gospel in our Country come from outside the church. When we read our bibles however, it appears that internal faithlessness of God’s people is as often as much of a problem as any external attacks. The book of Jude addresses these problems with a description of faithlessness within the church that we are prone to today as much as ever. We will be studying this short letter together, and thinking about how we might contend for the faith in our current time.

Trevor Webb

Bio:
Trevor and Mary both became Christians at Lincoln University and were married in 1974. They are blessed with four daughters and four grandchildren. Trevor has been a ruling elder for over forty years in the Christchurch GPC congregation and they are now members of Grace Bible Church, Dunedin. Trevor has a passion to unfold the relevance of the Old Testament Scriptures.

Topic:
How God kept the Jews through Captivity to Messiah. The 400-year period between the Testaments are often called ‘The Silent Years’. That is because there is no record of this period in Bible history. However, this does not mean that God was not at work! The talks will consider how God preserved his people in Babylon, Egypt and Judea. As in the Old Testament, there were times when God’s people flourished and times where they degenerated. There were heroes of the faith and corrupters of godliness. We will see how prophecy was being fulfilled and how the world was being prepared for the Gospel.

Jason Pickard

Bio:
Jason and Sarah have been married from twelve, almost thirteen, years and are the proud parents of Natalie, John, and Annabelle. Jason attended Westminster Theological Seminary and served in pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America for seven and a half years before coming to do doctoral work at the University of Otago in January 2018.

Topic:
Athanasius and the Arian Controversy/Council of Nicaea

Mervyn Marshall

Bio:
Mervyn Marshall is a long-serving member of the CYC Waihola Council of Management and an elder of the Grace Presbyterian Church in Gore. 

Topic:
Two talks with one on the Scottish Covenanters Donald Cargill and James Renwick and the other talk on John G. Paton – a missionary to the New Herbides

Other Features of Family Camp 2020

Here are the other features of Family Camp this year.

Good Food

Amazing food is a well known feature of our family camps each year.

Children's Program

This year Hamish Smith is running our children's programme. It is for age 5 to School Year 6.

Teenage Program

This year Heidi Aarsen is running our teenager's programme. It is for School Year 7-11 only.

Afternoon Activities

Flying Fox, ArcheryTag and a Treasure Hunt will all feature this year at Family Camp.

2 Awesome movies

This year we also be screening in the afternoon 2 incredible Christian films:









Online Registration

All those attending Family Camp (even as day visitors or just for meals) must register online here:

2020 Mid Winter Tramping Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 4pm Friday 29th May - 4pm Monday 1st June 2020 (Queen's Birthday Weekend)
  • Co-Ed School Years 9 - 13 (must have reasonable fitness)
  • $180 (includes transport to and from location and main meals)
Enrol Now!

About this tramp

This new tramping camp for 2020 opens up our regular leaders winter tramp for campers to attend as well. It's great to get away into the hills in the winter. The air is crisper and the crowds are few.

This is the camp for those with good physical fitness and want to give back-country tramping a go in the winter..

This tramp will involve tramping on established tramping tracks to stay in huts.

Location / Itinerary​

We'll be heading in the mighty Greenstone Valley on the boundary of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park near Queenstown.

We'll be tramping about 18km each day and staying in the Mid Greenstone Hut (which is a private hut we've booked for ourselves).

The plan is as follows:

  • Friday: Travel to Queenstown and stay the night
  • Saturday: Tramp into Mid Greenstone Hut from the Kinloch end
  • Sunday: Day walk to McKellar Hut near Lake McKellar and possibly a side trip up Steele Creek
  • Monday: Walk back to the cars at Kinloch

Tramping Camp Features

Backcountry Huts

We will be staying in huts in the winter - this means warm clothing is a must. But the scenery is oh....so amazing!

Fun and Games

With no no power or cellphone coverage, we have plenty of time to play cool games like "The Most Awesome Game in the World" and make our own fun in the wilderness.

Good Food

Tramping is all about walking, good company and eating food. Lots of snacks to build up your energy for tramping

Essentials to know before you enrol

These are essentials to know before you enrol in this tramping camp:

  • You will need good fitness and be able to walk at least 12km each day. You can start building fitness now by going for increasingly long walks each week.
  • You will need to carry all your own gear and food in a tramping pack. We will not carry your food, clothes or even your hairbrush for you. As an group tramping camp we will also be carrying shared equipment which you will need to carry your share of.
  • There are some essential gear requirements for tramping (especially in the winter). These include the following non-negotiable items to keep you warm and safe in the wilderness:
    • Good boots with ankle support
    • Warm Sleeping Bag (not a “cheap warehouse one”) – ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IT IS RATED TO -10oC or greater 
    • Waterproof rain jacket (not a “nylon parka”)
    • Good thermal layers (base, mid and top)
    • Waterproof dry bags or pack liner
  •  Our leadership consists of leaders with a combined total of over 100 years tramping experience in the wilderness.

2020 Southern Lads

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 10:30am 6th July 2020 - 2:30pm 10th July 2020
  • Boys School Years 9 - 13
  • $220 - discounts may apply
Enrol now

About this camp

Come along and experience the skill of being a Southern Lad.

Get your hands dirty in the outdoors while enjoying good company and learning skills such as deer stalking and possum trapping along with other farm related work plus hut and track development in the back blocks of Tupeka West.

Sleeping in wool shed and being fed on good New Zealand tucker each day: Experience a sheep and beef farm like no other along side the legend that is ‘Alf Bradfield’

Sign up now and let your training begin…

Camp Features

This camp may feature building and sleeping in a back country hut, deer stalking, possum trapping, farm related work and much more! It is sure to involve good honest hard work with dirty hands and smelly ‘arm-pits’ coupled with a sense of accomplishment!!!

You will sleep in a wool shed and experience good New Zealand tucker each day.

2020 Boys Winter Camp

Posted on by CYC Waihola
  • 10.30am Monday 13th July - 2:30pm Friday 17th July 2020
  • Boys in school years 5 to 8 in 2020
  • $190 (Discounts may apply)
Enrol Now

About this Camp

Are you faster than a speeding train?

Have the Archery skills of Hawk-Eye?

Can you lift more then the Hulk?

Then this is the camp for you…

Come along and hone your Superhero skills through our speciality training facilities plus unlock the truth of who the ultimate Superhero of all time is… 

Camp Features

Here is some of the features that you might get to experience at this camp…

ArcheryTag

Bubble Soccer

Disc Golf

Zipline

Archery

Air Rifles

Mountain Boards

2020 Teen Girls Camp

Posted on by Ministry Coordinator
  • 10:30am 13th July 2020 - 2:30pm 17th July 2020
  • Girls School Years 9 to 12
  • $220 - discounts may apply
Enrol Now!

About this camp

Come and join us for this small but epic camp for teen girls.  Spend the week chilling with old friends and making new.

Learn about what defines us, how are we defined by God and how we can have a personal and meaningful relationship with Him.

Explore local surroundings through a range of outings and challenges. Look at creating portraits, natural beauty products, mirror craft and much more. 

A perfect way to unwind from the stresses of life. 

Camp Features: may include

Previous camps have featured

Photography: Learn how to get the most out of your phone camera or a traditional camera from the talented Lara Moss. Get out in nature and learn some of the tricks of the trade for creating instagram worthy posts that will amaze your followers. 

Town trips: Exploring the metropolis of Dunedin.

Craft: Creating your own take away art 

Chill: This has to be our most laid back camp. Spend the week re-energising yourself by chilling out with other teen girls.