Wellington Central Districts

Quality camp puts a smile on children’s faces

17 January 2025

News

Smiles beamed across children’s faces as Camp Quality began another week of fun activities.

Camp Quality run events for children living with cancer to inspire them to get on with being kids again.

The organisation was holding one of its annual camps in Rangitīkei this week and more than 50 children and their companions were staying at Nga Tawa Diocescan School in Marton.

Each day they were busy with activities such as swimming, sports, costume parades and a disco.

On Thursday they were at Dudding Lake where they went on jet boat rides and had a visit from police officers and a police dog, and also went four-wheel driving at nearby Turakina.

Children and their companions took turns going in the jet boat to race around the lake.

Jaxon Lee, 5, from Feilding was jubilant after stepping off one of the jet boats.

“It was so fun. It was my first time ever.”

The activity had been a surprise for him but he had enjoyed it.

This was his first time on a boat and getting wet had been his favourite thing.

He was looking forward to more fun activities during the week.

Camp Quality regional manager David Montgomerie said the camps were always a great week.

“We always hear from the parents at the end of the week. One, they say what a great time the kids have had and two, they have had some time to themselves.

“For some of these kids this is the first time they have been away from home.”

There were five regions across the country, each holding a camp at this time of year.

Camp Quality chairman Alan Knowsley said the camp was about giving the children a week of fun.

“It’s about putting a smile on their faces.”

Montgomerie said they relied on volunteers as companions, so if anyone wanted to be involved they could find more information here.

The Post article

Manawatu article by George Heagney

Photos Adele Rycroft