Living Springs was home to Camp Quality Christchurch in January for our 40 excited and energetic campers; an ideal setting for our theme “The Wonderful World of...”. 

We got off to a great start with Campers’ families joining us for a fun family day at Living Springs Farm, with carnival games, horse rides, wagon rides and trying out the Zorbs. 

A very special event took place this year.  Instead of releasing balloons as we have done in the past, Campers and their Companions planted 10 Totara to commemorate their week at camp.  It was so successful that we’ve decided to do this from now on. 

What would camp be without a day on the water?!  We had a wonderful time kayaking, boating and swimming in the sun with the team from KORE (Kiwi Outdoor Resilience Education). Thank you! 

We are also grateful to the other generous locals who made our camp extra special; She Universe for a chocolate making lesson, 
Christchurch School of Gymnastics for a workout session, and chance to meet the Canterbury Crusaders.  The Commodore Hotel treated us to an amazing lunch to acknowledge our leavers, and Escape Artists Christchurch provided our leavers with an opportunity to test their teamwork and problem solving skills. 
A visit to the International Antarctic Centre was the perfect place to “chill” out as camp wound down. 

Throughout the week we had some exciting visitors – thank you all for making the time to come and hang out with us.  The Canterbury Kings once again proved very popular with our Campers and were prepared to get truly involved in camp hi-jinks.  The Governors Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade ensured the water slide was extra slippery.  The Leadership group from Lincoln High School spent an afternoon with the campers making friendship banners. Treza Green, from LadyT Hip Hop, led us in an energetic Hip Hop dance class.  And it was great to see Peter Gamble – the vice DG for the Lions Clubs of District 202E. 

By the time camp came to a close on Friday afternoon there were a lot of tired smiles. As always our companions had done an amazing job making sure each camper was well looked after and had had a great time, and special thanks to the amazing volunteer staff who, again, worked tirelessly to ensure camp was a blast! 

We do not receive any Government funding and rely on the generosity of those who donate goods and services and help us fundraise for camp. 

A special thanks to PMP, who print our Log Book, which we give to our Campers as a memento of their week at Camp Quality Christchurch. 

In February, a team of committed campers, companions and staff headed over to Westport to participate in the Buller Gorge Marathon and raise funds for Camp Quality Christchurch.  It was great to have the Murphy family from Greymouth there to help with bucket shaking, and congratulations to both Tasja and Pyper who competed in the Junior run.  Heartfelt thanks to organisers, Dennis and Renee Straker for raising over $7,500 for us.  Camp Quality Christchurch is the recipient charity again next year so mark your diary – Saturday, 10^th February 2018; we’d love you to join us!

Damian Young,

Regional Manager, Christchurch