Kia ora and welcome to our first camp newsletter!
July – October 2026
It’s been a busy and exciting few months at Ōhope Christian Camp, with plenty happening behind the scenes to improve our facilities, welcome new groups, and prepare for another wonderful summer season.
Whether you’re a regular summer camper, part of a church or school group, or considering visiting us for the first time, we’d love to keep you up to date with what’s happening around the camp!
Here are a few highlights from July through to October.
Improvements Around the Camp
We’ve been making some significant improvements to our facilities over the past few months, with several exciting projects now completed.
Kitchen Upgrades
Our camp kitchen has received some fantastic new additions, thanks to generous funding from Trust Horizon.
- A brand-new commercial dishwasher has been installed, making cleaning up after large groups much easier.
- We’ve welcomed a new commercial Convotherm combi-oven, providing improved cooking facilities for groups using our hall and kitchen.
We’re incredibly grateful to Trust Horizon for helping make these improvements possible!
Better Showers, Less Water Waste
We’ve installed new water-saving shower roses and shower timers in our ablution blocks. The new shower roses have received positive feedback, particularly for their improved water pressure, while the timers will help us use water more efficiently.
Drainage Improvements
Important drainage and sewage pipework has been completed behind Horwell House, helping improve the camp’s infrastructure and address some longstanding drainage issues.
A Fresh Look Around Camp
There have been plenty of smaller improvements too, including:
- New entrance signage to help visitors find their way into camp.
- Painting and touch-ups in several cabins.
- General tree pruning, bamboo clearing and grounds maintenance.
- New recycling instruction signs to help everyone dispose of their rubbish correctly.
We’ve also been working on improving the grass beneath our large plane tree in the front camping area. We’re hoping to establish a lovely green space there in time for summer!
Cabin 5 Has Had a Makeover!
Cabin 5 was temporarily unavailable following a smoke incident in July.
We’re pleased to report that restoration work is now complete! The cabin has been professionally cleaned, repainted and refreshed, with new electrical fixtures, curtains, a blind, and an oven.
After plenty of hard work, including a very thorough final clean by the camp managers, Cabin 5 is looking much better and is ready to welcome guests again.
Looking Towards Solar Power
We’re excited to share that our application to the PDS Green Enterprise Fund was successful!
We’ve received approximately $18,000 in grant funding towards the installation of solar panels at the camp.
This is an important step towards reducing our electricity consumption and making the camp more sustainable into the future. We look forward to sharing further updates as this project progresses.
More Schools, Churches and Clubs Discovering Our Camp
One of the greatest joys of running Ōhope Christian Camp is welcoming such a variety of people and organisations through our gates. Over the past few months, we’ve hosted rugby clubs, surf lifesaving groups, school groups, church organisations, families and independent travellers.
It’s been lovely seeing familiar faces returning, alongside new families, casual campers, and international visitors discovering our little corner of Ōhope. Thank you to everyone who has chosen to stay with us!
Alongside this, we’ve been connecting with Presbyterian churches throughout the central and lower North Island, sharing information about our facilities and a special 20% accommodation discount available to Presbyterian churches.
It’s exciting to see more organisations discovering what our camp has to offer, and we look forward to welcoming many new groups in the months ahead!
Exploring Local Partnerships
We love being part of the Ōhope community, and we’re exploring opportunities to work alongside other local businesses and organisations.
We’re also exploring ways to make a stay at Ōhope Christian Camp even more enjoyable. With surf lessons, beach activities and local attractions close by, there’s plenty for families and groups to enjoy during their time here. We’re excited about the possibility of offering visitors even more opportunities to experience the best of Ōhope, whether that’s trying surfing for the first time or simply enjoying a relaxing break by the beach!
Watch this space!
Looking Ahead – Summer 2026/27!
We’re looking forward to another wonderful summer at Ōhope Christian Camp!
With summer bookings filling up, returning families, new group enquiries, and plenty of activities to enjoy nearby, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Our focus over the coming months will be on preparing the grounds and facilities for the busy season, continuing to improve our accommodation and welcoming everyone who chooses to spend some time with us.
Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a church retreat, a school camp, a sports team weekend, or simply a few nights by the beach, we’d love to welcome you.
A little reminder: We’re open year-round, not just over the summer holidays!
Come and enjoy Ōhope!
With the beach just across the road, wonderful local attractions nearby, and a welcoming Christian camping environment, we hope Ōhope Christian Camp will be a place where you can relax, reconnect and make some special memories.
