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Big group photo of all attendees in 2025

What is Family Camp?

Family Camp is an three-day event for families living with disabilities. Family Camp is a time for families to do activities, connect and rest.

During camp, each family is paired with a family support volunteer. This support volunteer helps your family get the most out of the weekend. They will attend the programmes with your family and support your family to participate in all the camp activities. 

The next Family Camp is at CYC Ngāruawhāhia's Camp Waikato on the 5-7 June 2026. 

Photo of two young men, one camper and one volunteer, both sitting at the top of the waterslide ready to go down

Apply to Attend Family Camp 5-7 June 2026 in Ngāruawhāhia

Applications are now open for the 5-7 June Family Camp for families and volunteers wanting to attend.

Learn more about attending Family Camp 2026 as a family
Learn more about attending Family Camp 2026 as a volunteer

FAQ

Expand WHO CAN COME?

Elevate Family Camp exists to serve entire families: parents, children, siblings, and even grandparents. 

Elevate's Auckland Family Camp serves families with a child/caregiver/parent with a disability.

Expand CAN SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY COME BY THEMSELVES? 

No. As the name suggests, our Family Camps are designed to be just that: a camp where families attend together.

Expand WHAT TO EXPECT? 

Elevate Family Camps are a time for reconnecting with your family, making memories, and meeting new friends who face similar challenges. We offer a safe environment, where we strive to ensure that each family member feels like they belong.  

The weekend includes combined family worship time followed by age-appropriate programmes in the mornings with a variety of activities planned with the attending campers in mind, including crafts, Bible lessons, and onsite camp activities (flying fox, bonfire with damper, indoor rock climbing). 

Parents will have the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker and enjoy a time of sharing. 

Afternoons are relaxed with optional activities for the whole family. Saturday evening will see everyone gathered around the campfire (weather permitting).

And the best news? No cooking! The amazing team at our host campsite (CYC Ngāruawhāhia, Camp Waikato) will be serving us yummy food throughout the weekend, from Friday supper (please organise your own dinner that night) through to Sunday lunch - and they'll be doing all the dishes! 

With our busy lives, having the whole family sitting around the table at mealtimes can be rare, so at Family Camp we encourage families to make the most of the opportunity to sit with each other at mealtimes.  

To ensure that parents and caregivers can relax and enjoy themselves too, families are assigned a volunteer helper/s - a new friend to serve as a helper, encourager and supporter throughout the weekend. They will assist at mealtimes, and activities, and be with the children during their programmes. Although families are still responsible for their loved one's personal care.*  

*If you need to bring a carer with you make sure to include them on your registration form. We try to allocate families to the most suitable accommodation for their needs, but you will need to bring any special equipment or medical supplies with you. 

Expand WHAT IS THE COST OF FAMILY CAMP?

The cost of Elevate Family Camp includes all accommodation, meals and activities for the whole weekend. 

For our camps, we seek partnerships and funding grants in order to keep the costs down as low as possible for both our families and volunteers. If, however, the cost is still a barrier to your family attending, please contact us. 

Families Fees 2026

Adults and young people 13+ years ($220.00)

Child 6-12 ($200.00)

Child 3-5 ($120.00)

Infant 0-3 ($30.00)

Please note all families are requested to pay a non-refundable $150.00 deposit.

Volunteer Fees 2026

Volunteer adults and young people 13+ years ($150.00)

Programme Leaders Meal Fund ($50.00)

Child and Infant fees are the same pricing as the 'Family Fees 2026' listed above.

 

Expand CAN MY TEEN SERVE AS A VOLUNTEER EVEN IF THE REST OF THE FAMILY COMES AS CAMPERS? 

Absolutely! Although we would encourage families to enjoy their time together, if an older member of your family wants to serve as a volunteer at camp, please indicate this on your family's registration form.

Expand WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WILL WE RECEIVE AT FAMILY CAMP? 

Each family is assigned one (sometimes more, depending on availability and the size of your family) volunteer - a new friend to serve as a helper, encourager and supporter throughout the weekend. Depending on your family's needs, they will attend the programmes and activities with your children, sit with your family during mealtimes and be an extra pair of eyes and hands during the evening activities to allow all family members, even yourselves, to participate in and enjoy camp.  

Each of our volunteers will be provided training and be police vetted prior to camp. 

Expand WHAT ARE THE CAMP ACCOMMODATIONS? 

Don't worry, you won't be sleeping in tents! 

Our Family Camp is going to be held at CYC Campsite in Ngāruawhāhia this year. We are using their Camp Waikato location. You can read more about Camp Waikato here.

Expand MY FAMILY HAS SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS, CAN CAMP CATER FOR THESE? 

The camp staff serve us delicious food and are able to cater for most diet requirements and food allergies. Please note this on your application form.  

Expand ARE FAMILIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LOVED ONE'S PERSONAL CARES AT CAMP?

Yes. Each family is assigned a volunteer helper who will support your family to participate in the various activities and programmes at camp, but they are not responsible for any medical, toileting, bathing, or transfer needs of the campers. Parents, spouses and family members of campers are responsible for these.   

If you require special equipment or medical supplies to support your loved one over the weekend, you will need to bring these with you.  

There will be a first aid officer on camp, but they are responsible for only minor injuries and illnesses. If a camper requires urgent medical attention, emergency services will be contacted. 

Expand WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR CAMP? 

Each year of camp might require you to bring different items and you will be notified of this closer to camp, but here are some of the basics: 

    • Bedding - pillows, sleeping bag/linen and duvet (for those who have attended Family Camp previously, you will need to bring your bedding this year for the June 2026 camp).

 

    • Medication -bring enough for 3 full days 

 

    • Toiletries and towels  

 

    • Comfortable cold weather clothes for 3 days (including a warm jacket for night activities) 

 

    • Swimming gear & towel 

 

    • Sunscreen 

 

    • Hat  

 

    • Rain jacket  

 

    • Torch 

 

    • Bible, notebook and pen 

 

    • Camera, phone, chargers, etc. 

 

Other special items if you need these: 

    • Nappies/Products, Catheters, etc. 

 

    • If you normally use a mattress protector at home, please bring it with you  

 

    • Electric wheelchair charger 

 

    • Transfer belts, Hoist, Commode, etc. 

 

    • Special drink cup and/or cutlery

 

What not to bring: 

    • Your own food, chewing gum, firearms, illegal drugs or alcohol 

 

Expand WHEN DOES CAMP BEGIN AND END? 

Elevate Family Camp begins at 5pm for volunteers and from 6pm for families, however, please check your camp information pack for specific times closer to the date.

Dinner is NOT provided on Friday so please have something before you arrive.    

Camp finishes after lunch on Sunday (approximately 1:30pm).

Four people sitting in a large pile of bubbles at the bottom of a waterslide laughing

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