What is National Camp?

Yes absolutely! Campers requiring general support and basic assistance will be allocated a volunteer helper for the weekend, or be placed under the responsibility of their group leader.  

Campers with a higher level of care will need to bring their own caregiver, appropriate friend or family member. This includes campers with complex care needs, those who use a hoist to transfer, or those needing significant assistance to transfer. 

We are aware this may make attending camp more difficult for some people therefore application can be made for assistance towards caregiver camp fees if required. Please contact us if you are unsure if you will need to bring your own caregivers.  

The cost of Elevate National Camp is usually around $300pp (adult). Camp fees cover all accommodation, meals and activities for the whole weekend. The official prices will be released in 2026.

For our camps, we seek partnerships and funding grants in order to keep the costs down as low as possible for both our campers and volunteers. If the cost of attending camp is difficult for you perhaps you could approach friends and family to support you. Perhaps your church might allow you to run a fundraiser.  If, however, the cost is still a barrier to you attending, please contact us at nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz.  

Absolutely! If you're attending camp as a family, 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. 

National Camp needs many people to make it happen and we can all have a part to play. Please contact us at nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz or call the office on 09 636 4763. We would love to have your involvement! 

Campers requiring general support and basic assistance will be allocated a volunteer helper for the weekend, or be placed under the responsibility of their group leader.  

Campers with a higher level of care will need to bring their own caregiver, appropriate friend or family member. This includes campers with complex care needs, those who use a hoist to transfer, or those needing significant assistance to transfer. 

We are aware this may make attending camp more difficult for some people therefore application can be made for assistance towards caregiver camp fees if required. Please contact us if you are unsure if you will need to bring your own caregivers. 

All of our camp volunteers are provided with training and are police vetted prior to camp. 

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

Elevate National Camp is held at Totara Springs Christian Centre, situated in a beautiful setting, nestled at the foot of the Kaimai mountain ranges in Matamata. They have a fabulous camp with various types of rooms. These include cabins, motels and lodges. 

Accommodation is assigned based on the needs of each the camper and are separated into female and male accommodation.  

You will need to bring all your own pillows and linen/sleeping bags. 

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

Totara Springs Christian Centre caters for all allergies and diets. Unfortunately, Totara Springs does not allow any external food to be brought onsite. This includes chewing gum. If you have any dietary concerns, please contact us at nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz or on 09 636 4763.  

Each 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  
• Medication -bring enough for 4 full days (just in case one rolls under the bed, best to be prepared)    
• Toiletries and towels   
• Comfortable all-weather clothes for 4 days (including a warm jacket and pants for night activities)  
• Swimming gear & towel  
• Sunscreen  
• Hat   
• Rain jacket   
• Torch  
• Bible, notebook and pen  
• Camera, phone, chargers, etc. (optional), however, if you bring any valuables with you to camp these are your responsibility to keep safe    

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  
• We recommend you don't bring electronic devices (e.g. iPods, DVD players, computers) unless they are used as aids (communication, sensory, calming, etc.). 

Elevate National Camp registration (sign-in) opens at 6pm on Friday night, with the leader's and volunteer's meeting beginning at 7:30pm. 

Dinner is NOT provided on Friday so please have something before you arrive. There are plenty of great food options available in Matamata. 

Camp finishes after lunch on Monday (approximately 1pm). 

Yes and no. Elevate can help organise a limited amount of transport within the Auckland region. For other regions, campers and volunteers will need to organise transport themselves, however, if this is a struggle for you we may be able to put you in contact with other volunteers within the area who you may be able to carpool with. 

We ask that you do not come to camp if you are at all unwell. Please call the office 09 636 4763 to let us know. There is a high possibility that if you come to camp unwell and if you fall unwell during camp, that you may be asked to go home.