Children’s Holiday Camp Takes Shape From Farm

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 12

Children’s Holiday Camp Takes Shape From Farm

“The Press" Special Service

HAMILTON, January 21

A children’s holiday paradise is gradually taking shape On the Waingaro road, a mile west of Ngaruawahia, where, thanks to the generosity of Mr V. S. Rankilor, a 92-acre farm is being converted to a permanent camp. The beginnings of this camp have almost a fairy-tale background. Mr D. Bullen, who was working on field duties with the Bible Training Institute, casually mentioned to Mr Rankilor that it Would be a grand thing if a permanent children’s camp could be Set up at Ngaruawahia. He had an area of something like five acres in mind and Mr Rankilor, said he “thought he could fix that tip”—and gave his 92-acre farm for youth work, the only condition being that the work must be non-denominational. Mr Bullen quickly called in friends whom he know were interested in youth work and a committee was formed to take over the trust. Mr Bullen became a full-time worker for the project, which has now transformed Mr Rankilor’s farm. From the heart timber of an old farmhouse near the property a home for Mr Bullen was built by helpers and youth leaders, and then work began on levelling the playing areas and building the first permanent buildings. In two years and a half funds have been raised to finance a central building which constitutes the kitchen and a dining hall to seat 180. Part of this is at present being used for sleeping. A creek in a bush setting was med and a concrete floor was laid for what must now be one of the Waikato's most popular swimming pools. A cowshed was plastered and converted -into a dormitory and, as soon as funds are available, cabins on the YM.C.A. style will be built as permanent sleeping quarters. At present a large wooden-floored tent is used to accommodate some of the 83 girls who are in the camp.

For the first 10 days of this year’s- camp, 101 boys enjoyed

the facilities. A tangled gully is already partially converted to a sunken playground where campfires are held and where a “flying fox” 100 yards long is one of the most popular amenities. Young people who have attended previous' Easter camps at another site at Ngaruawahia have contributed almost £lOOO to the camp funds and many persons and firms have contributed to the scheme.