New Zealanders are known around the world for our resilience, our ‘can do’ attitude and our skills in outdoor environments. The YMCA believes this hype, but also knows that young people need opportunities to develop these capabilities – we are not born with them. The outdoor camping tradition where children must learn to cope with new people, new environments, new challenges without the comfort of familiar adults and surroundings has long been considered a safe and memorable place to build self confidence, self esteem and self determination.
We also know that parents and caregivers need to trust that their children will be kept physically, emotionally and spiritually safe – and this trust is hard earned. Our focus on all our residential camps is pastoral care first and foremost, because if children and young people do not feel safe they cannot develop the other stuff. Our camps are designed to be a place where children and young people can make friends, have fun, be adventurous and most importantly, go home with positive memories, happy stories and new skills. We look forward to meeting your son or daughter at a YMCA camp!
Y Camp is a very popular six-day residential school holiday camp. From the age of 7 years, children can come and participate in the vast array of fun activities led by our outstanding experienced and qualified instructors.
A strong focus is on social interaction and as the children grow into teenagers, leadership development and goal setting is incorporated into the programmes. Regular camps run through the school holidays.
9–10 year olds
As this is the first opportunity for campers to be away from home for five nights, this programme is designed around building independence and resilience while enjoying a mixture of our onsite and local activities.
11–12 year olds
The focus of this programme is on building social interactions and skill development while having fun in a mixture of onsite and local activities.
13–14 year olds
This programme is designed to meet the needs of the teenaged youth. The focus is on communication, responsibility, decision making and challenging oneself while having fun in a mixture of onsite and local activities.
15-16 year olds
This programme is designed around goal setting, developing leadership skills and reflection. We have a maximum of nine participants to enable us to provide campers with a wide range of outdoor pursuits and journeys onsite and offsite.
7–9 year olds
Sandhoppers is a shorter 3 day introductory residential camp with lots of opportunities to participate in many fun activities while making new friends.
Not running October 2021
6 day residential Y Camp
$350
3 day residential Sandhoppers Camp
$200
Children are dropped off at the City YMCA, and will then be transported by coach to Wainui Park.
10-12 year olds
This three night camp includes a range of our onsite activities such as high ropes and search & rescue, as well as a day hike and an offsite trip to the Alpaca Farm.
Enjoy staying in the warm Wainui Heights with a smaller number of campers. It’s a great opportunity to get off technology, make new friends and have fun!
4 day residential camp
$399
Parents Handbook & Gear List – Winter Camp
Drop off and pick up at the City YMCA (transported provided between Wainui Park and the City YMCA)
11–13 year olds
A two night camp for those with a passion for food! Spend a busy couple of days learning how to cook meals and delicious treats, while staying in the comfort of Wainui Heights. The camp will culminate in a Family Feast on Saturday where campers will be able to invite up to 3 family members or friends to share a meal they have prepared, then take them home after clean up!
3 day residential camp
$299
Parents Handbook & Gear List – Cooking Camp
Drop off at the City YMCA (transported provided to Wainui Park, pick up required at Wainui Park on the last day of camp)
16-24 years
Volunteering is a great way to gain hands on experience and show future employers that you are willing to get stuck in and serve others.
Leaders work alongside our qualified instructors and are responsible for supervising the campers. They will work with one age group for the week and have the opportunity to participate in the activities.
To find out more about volunteering contact olivia@ymcachch.org.nz
We are now running a series of new residential school holiday camps out of our YMCA Outdoor Education Centre at Arthur’s Pass.
Young people can come to learn outdoor living and survival skills, while having heaps of fun with their peers, in a unique alpine environment. Led by experienced instructors, the main focus is learning and adapting to your environment, working as part of a team, and developing connections and friendships with others.
Since these programmes are designed for small groups of only up to 18, we are able to provide unique experiences that allow the participants to have lots of hands on fun and make close connections with others on the camp.
Learn outdoor skills, environmental education, and experience a first introduction to having an expedition. Activities may include hiking, river crossing techniques, shelter building orienteering etc.
Multi-day tramping trip around Arthur’s Pass National Park. Participants will be self-sufficient – carrying their gear, camping out in tents, cooking on stoves and navigating their way on a journey.
An introduction to winter in the mountains! Get the opportunity to go on the Tranz Alpine train, have a fun ski day at Porter’s, learn about the area, seek out the snow and participate in fun outdoor activities!
5 day residential camps
Summer Adventure$375
Autumn Expedition$400
Winter Explore$500
Spring Expedition$400
Camps include all activities, accommodation and meals – the camps are NOT WINZ or MSD subsidised
Parents Handbook – Spring Expedition Camp
Spring Expedition Gear List
Parents Handbook – Winter Explore Camp
Winter Explore Gear List
Parents Handbook – Summer Adventure Camp
Summer Adventure Gear List
Parents Handbook – Autumn Expedition Camp
Autumn Expedition Gear List
Every winter the Christchurch YMCA runs two residential ski camps for 9-15 year olds. These camps are a great way to gain skills and confidence in skiing and snowboarding and make new friends! We have highly qualified and talented instructors who lead ski camp and work alongside the equally skilled staff on the skifields.
In 2021 both week one and week two camps will be based at the Lodge at Mt Hutt Bunkhouse (exclusive use) and skiing at Mt Hutt. Departing on Sunday afternoon and returning late Friday afternoon, allows for maximum time on the mountain!
Both of these weeks cater to all skills and abilities, and includes transportation, accommodation, food, lift passes, & 2 compulsory lessons on Day 1 & 2.
Ski Camps are NOT WINZ or MSD subsidised
