Camp Community: Shenanigans and Friendship

In true Kiwi nature, living out of town and driving in everyday is normal. But leaving the city and living rurally for 2 weeks every term break is the real reality of the leaders and workers of Karakariki Christian Camp. 

Karakariki Christian Camp (KCC) is located 20 minutes out of Kirikiriroa Hamilton, on the way to Raglan. Nestled in the bush, the location is what makes the camp come to life. 

KCC has facilities for up to 90 people, and boasts activities for all ages, from rock climbing to archery, as well as a walking track down the road that is well used to promote outdoor activity.  

JonJon Ruakere lives and breathes the camp life. He started as a leader in 2013 at the recommendation of his High School’s Chaplin and was “thrown in the deep end”. Unlike most new leaders who are placed on the Go Team to learn how the Holiday Camps work, JonJon was appointed as a team leader right away, and the team he was given was a handful of troublesome kids and leaders.  

No matter the difficulties, it was a summer love for JonJon, who is still involved with KCC to this day.  

Working with young ones was a highlight, seeing them change and grow. “What really kept me coming was the people, working with the kids… seeing different people grow up, I’ve got campers and kids that I’ve seen as babies here who are now in school. And seeing all these different kids grow”.  

The friendships formed with other leaders and the shenanigans they got up to also kept him returning.  

Some hijinks were useful and tame, like covering the hall floor in dish soap and playing hockey, the soap and suds causing the concrete floor to be cleaned for the following camp. Others did have repercussions, such as the famed ‘Pancake Night’, when JonJon and a group of leaders made pancakes at midnight in the middle of the field. It was a night of believing that they had gotten away with up until a characteristic “NO” from the Camp Director was heard booming across the field. Even though punishments were given out, being able to face the consequences and still have fun was a learning moment. 

Living the camp life has been beneficial for JonJon, as he met his wife Victoria while volunteering in the Summer Holidays of 2019. 

Creating and maintaining a sense of community within the camp is an important value of KCC. For many who come in the holidays it is a welcome break from high school drama and a solid routine to be in. 

Many of the Campers return as teens and adults to be volunteer leaders and staff, and some even have children who go to camp and keep the cycle going.  

Creating long term friendships and community for Staff and Volunteers is what keeps KCC alive 

If you are interested in volunteering or working with the team at Karakariki Christian Camp, you can visit their website here