LARGEST IN N.Z.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 September 1938, Page 14

LARGEST IN N.Z.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.

STORY OF PROGRESS.

FI*ANS FOR CELEBRATIONS

Largest of the summer camps for boys ii'-ld annually in Now Zealand during ;he Christmas and Xew Year holiday*, the camp of the Auckland Y.M.C.A. at Itiinua will this year celebrate it* silver jubilee. Founded in 11» 13 it has steadily grown until to-day it is claimed to he the largest and best-ei|iiij)|>ed boy*' camp in Australia or Xew Zealand.

"The aite was overgrown with blackberry bushes and the river banks were a tangle of blackberry and willow when the firet camp was held," said Mr. G. W. Adair, directors of the boys' activities at the Y.M.C.A. to-day. In the days when camping opportunities were few, he selected the site, and has been the supervisor at each of the 25 camps. He stated that over 5000 boys had been through the camp, and the number was being increased by about 450 annually. The 50 boy* who attended in the first year were drawn from Auckland city and suburbs.

In recent years, he said, the boys had come from all over the North Island. They were a cross-section of the community and the camp was entirely undenominational. In the paet two years it had been impossible to accommodate all the boys seeking admission. During 1 the peak of the holiday season ae many as 250 boys were housed in the "cabins ' or under canvae. Much of the area of 30 acres, with the stream running through, had been converted into grass playing fields, and portion contained a grove of native tree«, which provided a cool spot on hot summer days.

The buildings, with a lodge, recreation hall and kitchen a* the central features. were located on the most elevated part of the site, and aroun'l them were beinjr built numerous "cabins," which would eventually entirely supersede tents. The cabinet, designed on the lines of those used in camps in other partm of the world, allowed a free circulation of air and were equipped with shutters to make them stormproof. The capacity of the camp was determined by the size of the lodge and kitchen facilities.

"A total sum of about £2500 has been spent on the site and its development," continued Mr. Adair. He stated that the principal donation had been £000 given by the Auckland Rotary Club, and most of the balance of the money had been received in small amounts from supporters of the camp movement.

Until recent years the boys had the "free run" of the neighbouring hills, but with the extension of farming this freedom was being gradually curtailed. The immediate need was to obtain portion of the wooded hillside for bushcraft and other activities. Experience had.shown that the organisation resulted in the maximum of health and happiness among the boys. The leaders were, drawn from the University College, the Teachers' Training College and the theological colleges of Auckland.

Included in the activities were swimming and life-saving, hiking, bush rambles, nature studies, field sports, overnight camps, camp fire yarns, debates and mock trials and a variety of indoor games for wet days. Proposals now being considered by the leaders and old boys for the coming jubilee included the building of a suitable entrance. With the passing of the years another generation of boys was growing up, and those who now attended the camps included the sons of a number of the early campers. Mr. Adair said that the camp would open on December 17 and remain open until January 28. Already about 20 applications for admission had been received.