Elevate Family Camps are a time for families to reconnect, make memories and meet new friends who face similar challenges. We offer a safe and accepting environment, where we strive to ensure that each family member feels like they belong.  

The weekend includes combined family worship time followed by age-appropriate programmes in the mornings with a variety of activities planned with the attending campers in mind, including crafts, Bible lessons, and onsite camp activities. 

Parents will have the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker and enjoy a time of sharing. 

Afternoons are relaxed with optional activities for the whole family. Saturday evening will see everyone gathered around the campfire (weather permitting) and then relaxing, snuggled up in blankets for a family movie.  

The amazing teams at our two host campsites (Teapot Valley Christian Camp and Willow Park Christian Camp) will be serving us yummy food throughout the weekend, from Friday supper (please organise your own dinner) through to Sunday lunch. 

With our busy lives, having the whole family sitting around the table at mealtimes can be rare, so at Family Camp we encourage families to make the most of the opportunity to sit with each other and their family supporters at mealtimes.  

As a family supporter, you will be assigned to a family to ensure that parents and caregivers can relax and enjoy themselves too. Your role is to be a new friend to serve as a helper, encourager and supporter throughout the weekend. You will assist at mealtimes, and activities, and be with the children during their programmes. However, families are still responsible for their loved one’s personal cares.  

As a volunteer, you will receive much more than you give!

We welcome applications from anyone who is interested in serving our families. Ideally, as our family camps are all about creating communities that go beyond just the weekend of camp, you will live within or close to the region of the specific camp, but if not, we still would like to hear from you! 

You don’t need to have special qualifications or even experience in working with people with a disability, simply a heart to serve and a willingness to learn, adapt and make some awesome new friends!  

All volunteers will need to complete a Police Vetting form. 

To start the application process please select the camp you would like to volunteer at in the section above and complete the application form. Applications will not be considered until a completed Police Vetting Form (available on the application page) and the required ID is emailed to us at familycamp@elevate.org.nz.

Once the necessary documents have been received, your application will be processed, this could take up to 2 weeks. Successful applicants will then be sent an invoice with payment details and any further necessary information. 

All fees are non-refundable. 

For serving at camp for only one day, the short answer is no. Camp offers such a unique experience because it creates an intentional community for the weekend. Having people come and go retracts from this community.  

However, if you would like to still be involved, there are some other volunteer opportunities available prior to camp, for set/pack up and we welcome donations (financial and/or goods) to help with materials for the programmes or for sponsoring families who may not be able to afford to come to camp.  

If you have an idea of how else you would like to serve please contact us at familycamp@elevate.org.nz. 

The cost of Elevate Family Camp varies by location and includes all accommodation, meals and activities for the whole weekend. Please go to the application page for your camp of choice to see camp fees. 

For both of our camps, we seek partnerships and funding grants in order to keep the costs down as low as possible for both our families and volunteers. If, however, the cost is still a barrier to you attending, please contact us. 

Yes, we will send you a link to a short online training course that you will need to complete before coming to camp.    

In the week leading up to camp, we will give you a call to talk about the family and programme you have been assigned to assist and how you can support them during the weekend. This may be one-to-one or we might organise a group meeting on Zoom. 

Friday afternoon we will have a meeting at camp before the families arrive. Please contact us if you think you will have difficulty arriving in time for this. 

No, Elevate will not be organising any transport to and from camp. Campers and volunteers will need to organise this themselves, however, if this is a struggle for you we may be able to put you in contact with other volunteers within the area who you may be able to carpool with. 

That’s fine! We do not expect our volunteers to have any prior experience. All we ask is for you to come with a willingness to learn, be humble, adapt and show the campers the love of Jesus. Before camp we will provide you with training and there will be people who will continue to support you throughout the weekend and can answer any questions that you might have. 

Don’t worry, you won’t be sleeping in tents! 

Elevate’s South Island Family Camp is being held at Teapot Valley Christian Camp, a beautiful rural campsite, only 25 minutes out of Nelson. 

Our North Island Family Camp is being held at Willow Park Christian Camp a seaside camp within 30 minutes of Auckland.  

Cabins at both campsites are made up of a mix of bunk beds and single/double beds.  

Volunteers will be allocated into separate female and male cabins.   

You will need to bring all your own pillows and linen/sleeping bags. 

and linen/sleeping bags. 

The camp staff serve us delicious food and are able to cater for most diet requirements and food allergies. Please note this on your registration form. 

No. Family supporters will support each family to participate in the various activities and programmes at camp, but you are not responsible for any medical, toileting, bathing, or transfer needs of the campers. Parents, spouses and family members of campers are responsible for these.   

There will be a first aid officer on camp, but they are responsible for only minor injuries and illnesses. If a camper requires urgent medical attention, emergency services will be contacted. 

Each camp might require you to bring different items and you will be notified of this closer to camp, but here are some of the basics: 

• Bedding – pillows, sleeping bag/linen and duvet 
• Medication –bring enough for 3 full days 
• Toiletries and towels  
• Comfortable cold weather clothes for 3 days (including a warm jacket for night activities) 
• Swimming gear & towel 
• Sunscreen 
• Hat  
• Rain jacket  
• Torch 
• Bible, notebook and pen 
• Camera, phone, chargers, etc. 

Other special items if you need these: 

• Nappies/Products, Catheters, etc. 
• If you normally use a mattress protector at home, please bring it with you  
• Electric wheelchair charger 
• Transfer belts, Hoist, Commode, etc. 
• Special drink cup and/or cutlery

What not to bring: 

• Your own food, chewing gum, firearms, illegal drugs or alcohol 
• We recommend you don’t bring electronic devices (e.g.iPods, DVD players, computers) 

Elevate Family Camps typically begin at 4:30pm for volunteers and from 6pm for families, however, please check your camp information pack for specific times closer to the date.

Dinner is NOT provided on Friday so please have something before you arrive.    

Camp finishes on Sunday after a short volunteers debrief once families have left (approximately 2pm). 

Our highest priority is to the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our camp community, as such we are we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will take every precaution necessary to provide the healthiest experience for our campers and volunteers. In order for our camps to run, we will be adhering to the latest government guidelines. 

Such precautions may include: 

• Not coming to camp if you are feeling unwell 
• RAT testing if needed
• Encouraging using face masks 
• And social distancing 

We understand that not everyone will be able to work within these. Although our desire is to provide a camp for all families, we have decided it is better to hold a camp with some restrictions than no camp at all. If you and your family are not able to partner with us in this way to provide the safest environment we can, Elevate Family Camp may not be the right fit for you during this season of Covid-19, and that's okay.