PLANS FOR EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH CAMP AT MAUNGATUA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27271, 23 December 1949, Page 6

PLANS FOR EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH CAMP AT MAUNGATUA

A Government grant of £ 750 is to be made available to assist in the development of the Methodist youth camp at Maungatua. The camp property, which is known as Wesleydale, covers 213 acres on the slopes of the Maungatua Range, near Berwick, and when fully developed it should rank as the finest camp of its kind in New Zealand.

Work on the development of the camp ground has been proceeding rapidly since the project was launched early this year. Parties of young people have visited the camp site regularly at week-ends and on holidays in an endeavour to hasten the development. Present plans envisage two distinct stages of development. The main building is now under construction and soon a start will be made on the erection of women’s quarters. At the same time a system ensuring an adequate supply of water is being evolved, and roadways are being built to give better access to the camp area. Later permanent quarters for young men will be erected and provision will be made for a swimming pool as well as suitable playing areas. As soon as these more immediate plans are complete a large area of possibly -50 acres will be planted in trees and the whole area developed and farmed in some way to help to make it self-supporting. For instance it is hoped to derive some revenue, from timber, when the trees mature. The main building, which combines B hall 'and cookhouse, is now well advanced towards completion and it is hoped to have it practically finished early in the New Year. The hall Is 54ft by 27ft and will have seating accommodation for up to 300. Ample provision has been made for the cookhouse, store and cook’s quarters. Everything is being arranged with a view to convenience and efficiency.

To accommodate young women it is proposed to start immediately on the erection of two rustic huts. Each will nieasure 20ft by 16ft and accommodate about 16. By using some of the large quantity of manuka available on the surrounding hillsides it will be possible to build suitable units at a comparatively low cost. If the first two huts prove satisfactory then a further number as required will be erected. These will be of varying design and arranged attractively on a sunny slope within a short distance of the main building. For some time, young men will be accommodated in tents and a suitable area is now being laid out in an ideal position. There, provision will be made for up to 16 bell tents. In the next three weeks about 40 young men and women will be spending most or part of their holidays at the camp. They intend to devote their mornings to work with a view to pushing on with the work as quickly as possible. So far the entire work in the development of the camp, even to the extent of cutting a road to provide better access, has been done by this voluntary labour. It is hoped to have the first major camp next Easter, when it is expected that about 200 young people will be present.