Senior National Camp
In October of last year, 35 senior NZ Rally members (and 12 leaders) arrived at Ngaruawahia CYC to enjoy 4 days of fun for the Senior National Camp. The weather played ball and stayed fine for most of camp.
Senior Nationals and Arura camps are times of catching up with old friends as well as making new ones. So, with some already knowing each other from past times together, it didn’t take long for everyone to relax and feel they belonged.
After everyone arrived, found their beds and had a look around camp, we were put into four teams. A bit of an Olympic flavour... we had to choose a name for our team, invent a country, design a flag, create a song/chant etc. This was a good time of interacting and getting to know others.
Greg Wallace was MC for camp and Jono Bay was our speaker. Greg kept us well occupied with activities and Jono took a theme of life being a journey/race & running it well.
Day Two – was our Great Race Day at Senior National Camp. Heather McIntosh planned an amazing array of activities. Each team chose 2 members to compete in each activity, so that everyone had to do something. Teams were judged, and points given for each activity.
We had outdoor races:
- Throwing a disc as far as possible from off the verandah
- Standing long jump, and running long jump
- Running & a team relay
There were outside competitions:
- Archery
- Flying fox – holding a cone of water in your mouth
- Catapults
- Gumboot throw
- Shotput
- Mini putt golf
Then kitchen challenges:
- jointing a chicken
- Icing & decorating cupcakes
- Cutting a pineapple
- Making meringues
Also, how quickly your whole team can get into a small car; & drinking a 2 litre bottle of cold flavoured milk! Yes, a rather large amount was brought up again by the contestants!!
In the evening we enjoyed a great bonfire, with damper & s’mores (toasted marshmallows between biscuits).
Day Three – Go 4 Gold, a dance/drama performance. Each team came up with an idea….Jonah & the big fish, drink drivers, bullying, & don’t judge outward appearances… and Melissa Bonner (a dance teacher) shared ideas, help & encouragement to all the teams. There were props to make, moves and lines to practice and then it was performing in front of the others.
Day Four – was the Trip Out – to Candyland, Hamilton. We started early to get the morning session. There were so many of us we had to book ahead. A very informative lecture on chocolate, how they coat lollies & then we all chose a lolly to dip & eat. On to the candy making - after we watched them make the candy, we all got a large piece of it to twist and/or wrap around a stick. Mmmmmm!
Back to camp for lunch and then to enjoy all the special activities the camp had to offer. There was an awesome hydroslide, flying fox, kayaks and paddle boats. A swim in the hot pool was crowded & noisy, but a great luxury after a tiring day!
