CHURCH CAMP

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30076, 9 March 1963, Page 13

CHURCH CAMP

Melbourne Man Honoured

When Mr W. R. Hibburt arrives in Christchurch next week from Melbourne he will see for the first time a youth camp named after him. The camp is that of the Churches of Christ at Spencerville.

Mr Hibburt was the first youth director of the Churches of Christ in New Zealand. He retired about 25 years ago. It had been one of his dreams that a permanent camp for young people be set up, but at the time various factors prevented it. When building the Spencerville camp the Christchurch Youth Committee, remembered this, and called the camp Hibburt Park. For three years the camp operated with limited facilities, and was then closed for extensions. Now the original buildings have been renovated, and three new dormitories, each accommodating 24, have been built. The work was done almost entirely with the voluntary labour of young persons, and the camp will now accommodate 100.

The new buildings will be officially opened on March 17, and a group in New Zealand raised the money to bring Mr and Mrs Hibburt from their home in Melbourne for the ceremony. Mr Hibburt will officially open the buildings. ■ The camp buildings now comprise a main block, three dormitories, an ablution block, and a library. The main block includes a 1000 sq. ft. hall with piano, trestles and tables; two 12bed dormitories; a cook’s room; a leader’s room; a kitchen with three electric stoves, and a washhouse with a refrigerator. Each of the three dormitories has three eight-bed rooms, and the library has a small ' reading room. The camp, six miles from Christchurch and less than half a mile from Spencerville beach, is on five acres.