Camp opens to community

The new team in charge at Peter Snell Youth Village in Whangaparāoa has been busy since it took over in March, painting, repairing and refurbishing. An old playground has been demolished and a new one purchased to replace it.

Manager JJ van Rooyen says returning the facility to its former glory is a focus of all their efforts.

The village was established in the early 1970sby the NZ Sunday School Union, a Christian organisation, which still owns it. 

The almost 11ha coastal site has expansive sea views and includes access to the shore.

Since the beginning, its purpose has remained unchanged – to inspire and support young people, providing things such as school and church camps, holiday camps and retreats.

There is dormitory style accommodation for 85, and a separate, self-catering building called Dearsly Cottage, which sleeps 32.

Activities on offer include a confidence course, archery, rifle shooting, paintball, water slides and frisbee golf.

The community is invited to come in and take a look for themselves at a free Open Day, to be held at the youth village on Saturday, June 29, 10am to 2pm. As well as a chance to look around, there will be fun activities (for a gold coin donation) and food trucks as well as baked goods for sale. 

Office administrator Janine Ward says they hope to attract help with a number of projects, including repairs to a flood damaged bathroom and an upgrade of the Dearsly cottage bathroom.

She says volunteers, as well as funds, are needed.

“Sometimes an extra pair of hands is better than money,” she says. “The camp is important for our community and has been much loved by many kids. We hope for support to get it back to its full glory.”

The first school holiday camp to be run at the village since the new team took over will take place in the July holidays.