CAMP IS NOW FULL! Registrations are closed for camp.

About Camp

See in the 2025 New Year in Queenstown with Christian friends and family!

Join us at Lakeland Park Christian Camp to spend time learning from Gods word and growing in your faith. This is a family and youth camp organised by the Open Brethren churches of Otago and Southland and has been running every New Years for over 50 years.

Camp will begin with supper at 9pm on Sunday 29th December 2024 (you can arrive and set up at camp from 5pm onwards, please no earlier - you will need to organise your own evening meal) and finish on Thursday 2nd January 2025 after lunch and camp clean up.

We will be staying at Lakeland Park Christian Camp (www.lakelandpark.co.nz) on the sunny Kelvin Heights peninsula. Accommodation will be allocated by members of the camp committee based on registrations.  The majority of rooms are dorm & cabin accommodation with 2 sets of bunks in a room for family/ couples - each family or couple will have their own room. We ask that single males, who will not be sharing rooms with parents/ family, bring or arrange to share a tent (Lakeland Park can supply you with comfortable single bed mattresses to put in your tent if needed!). Please do not make requests for specific accommodation options but please inform us of any disabilities you or family members may have that can help us place you in the most suitable option.

If you are 15 years or under and are attending camp without a parent you must have a guardian also attending camp who is over 20 years old.  Parents/ guardians with a teenager at camp are expected to be responsible for their teen's behaviour and whereabouts at all times.  Please make sure a guardian you nominate on your registration form has agreed to take responsibility for you at camp.

It is expected that those attending camp will follow the directions and instructions from camp leadership.

2025 Camp Speaker

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Dave Firth

Originally from the UK, Dave and his wife Marsha and their three children (Taylor, Michael and Charissa) are based in New Zealand where Dave is the Lead Pastor of Kaipaki Bible Church - a rural fellowship just outside Cambridge in the heart of Waikato.

Prior to pastoring, Dave was the CEO of Authentic Christian Trust and founder of Authentic Men’s Magazine. Previously he spent 11 years at Capernwray New Zealand where he held the position of Communications Manager and directed the 10 week BML (Business, Ministry, Leadership) course.

Dave also worked with Torchbearers International as Communications & Development Manager for 8 years, which saw him work closely with other centres to develop tools to communicate the wider ministry of Torchbearers around the world as well as working with the international office to oversee all Torchbearers promotional activity.

He has visited 20 Torchbearers Centres and has taught at many. He says, "God gave me a passion for preaching and teaching against my wishes! I was the 'behind the scenes' guy, but when He planted the seed of desire to study, He nurtured it into a passion to teach."

Dave has a deep conviction to teach Biblical truth in a bright and refreshing way. “The Bible is an incredible book, but more importantly, it’s all about Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation. What else can we do with our time that is as valuable as learning from Him and His word? Not much!”

What To Bring

It's always handy to know what to bring .... so you don't forget your toothbrush!

  • Bedding:
    • Sleeping Bag OR Sheets/blanket
    • Pillow and Pillow case
    • Note: Linen Packs (Sheets, Pillow, Duvet and Towel) can be hired for $20 each from Lakeland Park if indicated on the registration form
  • Spare clothing including warm clothes in case it gets cold
  • Shoes suitable for short walks and active activities (e.g. games and sports)
  • Towel & toiletries (including your toothbrush!)
  • Wet suit and/ or Swimming gear (plus a spare towel)
  • Bible, pen, notebook
  • Torch
  • Sunscreen !!
  • Some baking or snacks to share for morning tea and suppers please

 

  • Optional Extras:
    • Board Games / Downtime Activities to share and play with others (please name these)
    • Spending Money (Please note that all activities, meals and accommodation is included in camp fees but sometimes the camp has free time activities where we might be out and traditionally the young people have headed to MacDonalds after the midnight swim on New Years Eve ... there is no requirement to buy anything however!)
    • Some $1 & $2 coins if you want to do washing at camp ($3 per wash OR dryer)

Camp Activities

New Years Camp always has a selection of fun games and activities that we do. All activities are free of charge and included in the camp fees.

Activities at camp may include (dependant on weather and the finalised camp program):

  • Boating / Jet skiing / Biscuiting on Lake Wakatipu
  • Sports Activities
  • Team Games
  • Out and About Games / Challenges at somewhere like Glenorchy OR Arrowtown.

Note:

  • In recent years there has been a tradition of jumping off the wharf into the lake at midnight followed by late night "McDonalds run" where some like to get something to eat. There is no compulsion to buy anything although you might like to bring $2 for a softserve cone.
  • We try to arrange carpooling for any off-site activities we do.

Camp Prices

Full Camp Fees for those staying the whole camp:

  • $195 per adult
  • $165 per student or beneficiary (this includes high school students in school years 9-13)
  • $140 per primary school aged child (children in school years 0-8)
  • $30 per pre-schooler

For those staying part of camp only:

  • $55 adult per night
  • $50 student/beneficiary per night
  • $35 primary school aged child per night
  • $10 preschooler per night

Day Visitors:

  • $15 each per meal + a $15 contribution towards the speaker cost

Payment of Camp Fees

  • Please make online payments to Westpac Account #03 1750 0190581 00 (Queenstown Family Camp), and use your full name as reference.
    • Please register before Friday 20th December 2024 and make a minimum of $100 deposit at time of registration to secure your spot at camp.
    • Remaining camp fees must be paid in full before camp starts.

Financial Assistance

  • For those that might struggle to pay camp fees ... please speak with your local church OR make a note in the "Camp Payment" field in the registration form OR contact Johno Ferguson (027 444 1102) if you would like to discuss financial support further.

It is our strong desire that all that want to can attend camp and we don't want financial restraints to prevent anyone from attending.

Register