Stories - Kids Camps New Zealand http://www.kidscamps.co.nz Kids Camps New Zealand are specifically designed to create happy memories for children who have been victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. en Highlights from Parents and Caregivers Thu, 12 Sep 2013 20:05:21 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster)
  • My daughter's favourite part of camp was the tea party, food and the buddy where she felt safe and ecure. The support and the attitude of staff was friendly, supportive and positive. My son enjoyed all the activities. He has picked up skills and has grown and developed in to a role model. They both did not want to leave camp and spoke about this for weeks after and felt special that they got to go - what more can a child ask for? The photo albums and comments they treasure. My daughter was definitely happier, confident and felt she could do anything which was asked of her. She has a spark that I hadn’t seen in her for some time. My son is more responsible in his actions and considerate of others especially his brother and sister. He is confident about himself and tries hard at school. He always questions and wants everyone to be fair. Overall it has been an awesome learning fun experience for them. The children love camp - the staff - buddy system, meals and activities. I could not give this to my children being on a low income. They come
    back full of enthusiasm, positive and the attitude and energy they have shows their confidence and new skills.
  • Hi my name is Angel (Confidential) a mother of five children and I am writing this letter of thanks to you all from camp 2011 and 2012. I wish to thank those who finance and organise to provide this camp to hildren in our region. I say from the bottom of my heart that I and my family appreciate all the work that is put into the camp for the children. The children come back with sparks in their eyes, full of enthusiasm and the biggest smiles. They look so full of life and positive in their words, actions and behaviour. There is nothing more than for me to see my children enjoy life, learn and grow in a healthy, safe and happy environment like any other parent. I want them to experience and have fun. I don’t want them to be afraid of tomorrow, death . I have had my life turned upside down 360 degrees within a year when I was diagnosed with cancer. I describe having cancer a life of pain, emotional and physical trauma and uncertainty. A life of hospitals, needles and gowns. My children were my will to fight to live. I am now in remission and fight every minute so that I can spend every second, minute, hour and days watching my children grow up. So once again my heart sings and praises to you all who have made my children and other children have an awesome experience and memories they can cherish.
  • My son had an incredible time at camp. The photos you gave me of him are the only photos we have since our house burnt down. I knew that as his Father I needed to be a better Dad to him and have joined  groups that are teaching me new skills that I did not have. I loved hearing his camp stories about how much he enjoyed the fun activities and want to thank you for the opportunity to us all.
    • ]]>         Highlights from Vounteers Tue, 14 May 2013 01:06:43 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster)
  • It was amazing to see the unfolding of children who had been “closed” up in a world of who knows what when they realised they were safe and protected. NL
  • Seeing an overview change between the individual kids from the previous year when they attended camp and noticing how much more confident and blossomed they have become because of CAMP! Being given this opportunity to use my gifts to be a positive male role-model for the campers was a wonderful opportunity. I did enjoy my role at camp and am still humbled by its experiences. In the role of uncle I was able to relate it to my culture as we are firm believers of a village raising a child!! VS
  • I’m not sure if I can pin down the highlights of camp to one moment, but just letting these kids be kids- having fun running round, playing with others kids of the same age and not having to worry about serious things for a while. PL
  • I think the most rewarding part of the camp for me was seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces, seeing them able to just be kids, how much fun they were having, their self-esteem go from rock bottom to the point where they could stand up and perform at the talent quest, to see some of them really get the fact that they were loved and that they were beautiful. To know that I was a small part of giving these kids some much needed joy and love was very rewarding. Camp is Fun, difficult, rewarding, heart-breaking, exciting- all at the same time! It was an incredible role and one that I would like to do many more times. DR
  • Seeing physically a positive change in campers' attitudes and behaviour throughout camp and realising that we as buddies are actually making a change in their lives and of course the friendships made and life-long memories made. Being a buddy was great. Everyone always looked out for other so it made it much easier. My personal reflection of camp, is all about the attitude and faces of the campers each day. When they first arrived, some were excited, some were withdrawn and some were quiet. As camp continues, you start to see the changes. One of the best examples, is Mary (name confidential) - she came out of the bus as this quiet little girl, next minute, she’s playing, volunteering and actually talking and laughing. On Friday, is when you see the real difference in everyone. Some look down, quiet or just plainly sad. You ask them if they are okay, and they say that they’re not looking forward to go home. At the same time, this applies to me. Just four and a half days with these kids, and you don’t want to let them go. I will never forget these kids (especially my camper), and I am looking forward to another SUCCESSFUL camp because I know the difference that this has made for them! SC


    • New Zealand should be very proud of the amazingly dedicated and resourceful young people who strive for excellence in serving the often very wounded children who attend a Kids Camps (NZ) camp. I continue to be amazed with their hard work during very long hours and their continuous selfless acts of kindness they exhibit during the week at camp. The comments above is a small example of feedback we have received after the Wellington Camp. Anita Vermeer (National Camp Director).

    ]]>         Sarah Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:45:17 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster) At breakfast on the last day of camp, Sarah (8) was asked if she had enjoyed camp. She replied that she had. She was then asked "Of all the experiences you have had at camp this week, if you had to pick just one, which would be the very best?" Sarah thought carefully for a few minutes and then replied "The very best thing this week is my buddy, because she has been with me all week and she likes me." Positive relationships are so important to all of us, but especially to these children.

    ]]>         Bobby Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:45:09 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster) Bobby has struggled through school and had a teacher aide with him at interval and lunchtimes due to his tendency to hurt other children. Bobby attended camp as an eleven year old and after camp he attended an Intermediate School. A camp staff member met up with him at this school and was informed by school staff later in the year that Bobby was having the best year of his school life so far. He talked about camp and how much he had enjoyed it and what fun he had. Now he could interact with others without having an adult present at all times. Even a small input into a young life can have a long reaching effect.

    ]]>         Tane Tue, 14 May 2013 01:08:37 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster) Tane (10) had established a reputation at school as a bad boy. He showed no respect and swore at his teachers. He attended a "Kids Camp New Zealand" camp and returned a different boy. He received awards for his behaviour, and showed leadership qualities. At home when visitors come, he shows them his memory book from camp and tells them about all the activities he took part in at camp. All those involved with Tane attribute his change in attitude to his camp experience. Boys are looking for role models - what a change with positive, supportive role models.

    ]]>         Tessa Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:44:56 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster) Tessa (11) arrived at camp as a very withdrawn and sad looking girl. At the girls tea party on Thursday she blossomed, and looked so happy as she realised that she is a beautiful young lady, and her confidence had grown as she achieved success at the challenging activities. A year after camp her caregiver told a staff member that she still talks about that camp, and it was a significant time for her as she doesn´t usually get to go on camps. Every child can find their worth and develop confidence when provided with the right environment.

    ]]>         Jason Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:44:49 GMT admin@kidscamps.co.nz (Webmaster) Jason (12) arrived at camp wearing gang colours, a bandana covering his face,cap pulled down, and strutting like a gangster. Staff gently told him that gang colours were not permitted at camp. He complied quite willingly, and was soon enjoying the activities of camp, and over the week he became a great support to the younger children as he encouraged them verbally and helped them wherever he could. An adult from his school knew him as someone who would "undermine anything you try to do" and yet that was so far from our experience of Jason. We saw him as a leader who showed empathy and compassion towards his peers, and was not a problem at all. We all need to feel a sense of belonging. Give kids a positive alternative and they respond.

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