Camp Adair opening for families to experience

Many people have childhood memories that include sitting around the camp fire, cooking baked beans on a little gas cooker, solar showers and hanging our togs on the guyropes of the tent to dry.

YMCA Auckland is giving families the opportunity to create more of these special memories, by sponsoring 30 families to attend a Family Camp at their iconic Camp Adair facility in Hunua.

‘‘Camping is such a Kiwi rite of passage, but it’s not something all families get to experience together,’’ camp manager Zach Johnston says.

‘‘The aim of Family Camp is to take families out of their normal environments and create opportunities for them to connect and become stronger as a family unit.’’

The opportunity to attend Family Camp is open to the public on a fee basis, however, YMCA Auckland will provide a 100 per cent subsidy for 30 deserving families to attend.

Families can apply or be nominated for sponsorship online at ymcaauck land.org.nz.

Recipients will be selected based on deserving circumstances with a preference given to those who might normally be excluded from similar circumstances by cost.

There is no limit to the size of the family, in terms of the number of kids, but parents must attend – it’s not a ‘‘ship off your kids’’ occasion. Applications close on September 15. It might not be tents and solar showers, but it’s guaranteed to be a good time.

Families will be provided accommodation, meals and a range of camp activities, including bushwalks, raft building, camp fires, sports, abseiling, climbing, etc. All ages and abilities.

Family Camp is on from October 4 to 6 and coincides with Camp Adair’s 100th birthday.