Family Camp – 2025

Hi everyone,

Below are the registration details for the upcoming MHE Family Camp weekend at Camp Rangi Woods. Registrations will close on Wednesday 2nd April.

Camp will begin at 6:00pm pm Friday 4th April and go through to 2:00pm Sunday 6th April.

To keep costs as low as possible for families, this will be a self-catered camp. You will need to bring your own breakfasts and lunches and a dinner and dessert dish for a shared meal on the Saturday evening.  Please clearly label your food/containers. The kitchen contains a fridge/freezer, ovens, microwave, toasters. Please bring your own pots and pans, as well as your own plates, cups and cutlery as there is a limited supply at the camp.

We would also appreciate it if you could bring some slices, biscuits etc. for morning/afternoon teas and supper to share. Please label if it is dairy free, gluten free, sugar free etc. Hot drinks and milk will be provided. Please also feel free to bring games/puzzles etc.

There are 10 cabins available. These will be assigned to the first 10 families who register and require a cabin. There is ample space for those bringing tents/campers.

Teens who are in shared tents or cabins are respectfully asked to keep cellphones or other devices off through the night.

There will be a roster for camp clean up after lunch on Sunday. Please add your name to the list provided to ensure everything is done.

Please note, there is limited cell phone coverage in this area.

The program is VERY relaxed and flexible. Other than a couple of family activities, the goal of camp is to relax and enjoy fellowship and friendship with other home schoolers. During free time people are welcome to play games, sports, enjoy the play areas, go for walks, swim in the river (with parental supervision) etc.

We will have some family fun on the Saturday evening and a short time of family worship on Sunday morning. 

The costs for camp are as follows and are the rate for the full weekend:

(note, if you are wanting to secure a cabin but are unable to make the full payment now, please get in touch with Hayley. Full payment will be required before camp)

For those wanting a cabin:

Adult – $60

Child (ages 5-18) – $32

Preschoolers – free

Tenting at Camp Rangi Woods

Adult – $40

Child (ages 5-18) – $27

Preschoolers – free

This year, there is a third option. For those tenting, you can book your own space at Totara Reserve at a lower cost. You are now required to book an actual site, so you can let Kelly know you would like to be as close to Camp Rangi Woods as possible. You will be responsible for making your own booking and further costs (to MHE) are as follows.

https://www.totarareserveregionalpark.co.nz/accommodation/ (you are booking in Kereru Campsite)

Adult $10

Child (ages 5-18) $7

Preschoolers – free

Day Visitors $7 per person (Ages 0-4 free)

Non MHE members are welcome but will be charged an additional $15 to your total fee.

Equipment List (The camp facilities are quite basic so please look carefully at the list of what to bring – you don’t want to forget toilet paper!)

Your food, cooking equipment and plates, cutlery, tea towels, dish wash liquid etc.

Morning and afternoon teas

Bedding and pillow

Toiletries (Including toilet paper, soap)

Torch

Appropriate clothing and footwear

Togs and Towels

Sports equipment, board games, cards, bikes etc.

Directions

From Ashhurst drive north on Pohangina road for 9km, turn right into Pohangina Valley East road and
travel for 14km. Turn left into Churchill Drive, travel for 1km. The camp entrance is slightly left into
Totara Reserve. Follow the metal road and the camp is on your left.

If you have any questions, please contact Hayley Smeaton at:

davidandhayley@gmail.com

027 697 1388

Health & Safety: Manawatu Home Educators will, as far as reasonably practical, provide a safe environment for all staff, children, parents, and others involved in our activities. Where an activity is run by an outside organisation, we will come under their health and safety procedures. 

Parents are expected to stay and are responsible for their children at our activities and events. Where a parent is not staying, it is their responsibility to ensure another parent or organiser knows and is in charge of their child. They should also ensure someone at the event has their contact details, should the need arise.