Christchurch

Making Magic Happen: Spotlight on Christchurch Volunteer Michelle

24 November 2025

News

When you meet Michelle van Onselen, it’s impossible not to notice her energy and warmth. At Christchurch camps, she seems to be everywhere at once – answering companion questions, coordinating details, getting dressed up for the costume party.

But as the Companion Registrar, Michelle’s work extends far beyond just the week of camp. Along with all the other committee members, Michelle volunteers all year to make sure that camp comes together like magic.

How Michelle found Camp Quality

Michelle has always loved working with children. She’s been a primary school teacher for more than 30 years, and a mum to three boys. But at age 43, her life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For a year, her life revolved around treatment and recovery, including chemotherapy, a mastectomy, lymph node removal, and radiation therapy.

“As anyone who has been through the journey will understand, life was suddenly in two parts: the life I had before cancer, and the life after,” Michelle explained.

Despite the enormity of it all, she felt incredibly grateful for all the systems of support that helped her through that tough time. After that, she thought that if there were ever an opportunity to give back in some way to the support network in the community, she would be there.

Through her recovery, she carried on her busy schedule teaching and parenting, and when she was well enough, she helped out at a school camp with one of her sons. “I realised during that week how much I loved that kind of environment,” Michelle said. “I took out my phone in the tent and googled ‘Summer camps in New Zealand’ and Camp Quality was the first hit.”

“I felt like I had found the perfect match when I discovered Camp Quality. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.”

After a long year of waiting to be a companion for the first time, Michelle experienced her first camp as a Companion – and never looked back.

“Until you’re actually there, you don’t understand what Camp Quality is. The people are so special, and you become so close so quickly in a way I’ve never experienced before,” she remembered.

There was something about the environment that hooked her right from the start. “It was like stepping back into childhood – no phones or screens, just games and laughter and old-fashioned fun.”

When the opportunity came up to step into a committee role as Christchurch Companion Registrar, she put her hand up right away.

Bringing people together

The Companion Registrar role is all about supporting the volunteers before, during, and after camp. Throughout the year, Michelle supports the rest of the committee with fundraisers, planning, and coordination. Volunteer recruitment is always a priority, too, and she’s attended Canterbury University's Volunteer Expo to try to get more young people involved as companions.

When it’s time to get ready for camp, Michelle’s email gets very busy. She’s answering lots of questions, sending out updates, and getting together with Kyla, Christchurch’s Camper Registrar, to start matching all 42 campers with their companion.

Finally, it’s time to go camp, and Michelle is on call at all times to support the volunteers. She runs the morning meeting, giving them updates about the day to come – and is right there, notebook in hand, to ensure everyone’s questions are answered and needs are taken care of.

The best week of the year

It’s a big responsibility, and certainly a big time commitment. But as Michelle explains, it’s easy to help when it’s for camp. “It’s truly my favourite week of the year. It’s the best holiday I could ever ask for, and the only sad part is having to leave at the end!”

More than just the sheer fun and adventure of it all, Michelle says that Camp Quality has introduced her to so many new friends. It’s the people, the energy, and the feeling of contributing to something so meaningful that keep her coming back.

This year, Michelle is extra excited about camp, as her oldest son, Toby (19), will be joining as a companion, paired with the very same camper Michelle had her first year!

“I only wish more people knew what Camp Quality really does,” Michelle says. “It’s just such an incredible thing to be part of, and I feel so lucky to have found it.”