We welcome applications from anyone who is interested in serving our campers. For teenagers wanting to come and serve on their own, there is a minimum age limit of 14yrs old. 

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 (see the registration form). 

Our biggest need for volunteers at camp are people to be assigned a camper to support for the weekend. This person is called your ‘Buddy’. For campers who need more assistance during the weekend, we might assign two helpers as their buddies. As a helper you are at camp to support your 'Buddy' and help them have a great weekend!   

This involves being a new friend to serve as a helper, encourager and supporter throughout the weekend. You will assist your buddy at mealtimes, activities, and during their programmes. Depending on the individual needs of you buddy, this may also include helping them with their basic personal cares.  

Other areas include medical, security, tech support, cleaners, prayer teams and general assistance. 

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

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 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 nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz 

The cost of Elevate National Camp is $275pp (adult) for Earlybird and $300pp (adult) after 10th September. Camp fees cover all accommodation, meals and activities for the whole weekend.  

For our camps, we seek partnerships and funding grants in order to keep the costs down as low as possible for both our campers and volunteers. If the cost of attending camp is difficult for you perhaps you could approach friends and family to support you. Perhaps your church might allow you to run a fundraiser.  If, however, the cost is still a barrier to you attending, please contact us at nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz. 

Yes, training is provided prior to camp, as well as a recap training session on the Friday night of camp. The training before camp is provided online, you will have the option to either attend an evening Zoom meeting (Tuesday 26th September for volunteers and Wednesday 27th September for leaders), where there will be an opportunity for questions and answers, or to complete it in your own time. 

During camp we have people who are there specifically to support our volunteers, including Cabin/Motel Leaders, Area Leaders and a Medical Team. These people will be identified to you during the Friday night meeting.  

We do not expect you to know how to deal with every situation or to have experience in all areas. If you are unsure what to do or are uncomfortable assisting your buddy in a certain way please see your Cabin/Motel Leader. 

If at any time over the weekend you feel you don’t know something or are feeling like you’re struggling, please reach out to these people. 

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. 

Depending on who you are allocated to, yes, you may need to assist your camper with their personal cares. We provide training for this and there are people who can support you in this over the weekend. 

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

Elevate National Camp is held at Totara Springs Christian Centre, situated in a beautiful setting, nestled at the foot of the Kaimai mountain ranges in Matamata. They have a fabulous camp with various types of rooms. These include cabins, motels and lodges. 

Accommodation is assigned based on the needs of the camper and are separated into female and male accommodation. Where you sleep will depend on the camper you are ‘buddied’ with.    

You will need to bring all your own pillows 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. 

Totara Springs Christian Centre caters for all allergies and diets. Unfortunately, Totara Springs does not allow any external food to be brought onsite. This includes chewing gum. If you have any dietary concerns, please contact us at nationalcamp@elevate.org.nz or on 09 636 4763.  

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 4 full days (just in case one rolls under the bed, best to be prepared)    
• Toiletries and towels   
• Comfortable all-weather clothes for 4 days (including a warm jacket and pants for night activities)  
• Swimming gear & towel  
• Sunscreen  

• Hat   
• Rain jacket   
• Torch  
• Bible, notebook and pen  
• Camera, phone, chargers, etc. (optional), however, if you bring any valuables with you to camp these are your responsibility to keep safe    

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) unless they are used as aids (communication, sensory, calming, etc.). 

Elevate National Camp registration (sign-in) opens at 6pm on Friday night, with the leader’s and volunteer’s meeting beginning at 7:30pm. 

Dinner is NOT provided on Friday so please have something before you arrive. There are plenty of great food options available in Matamata. 

There will be a sausage sizzle from 6:45pm, however there is typically only enough for 1 per person, so please don’t count this as your dinner. 

Camp finishes after lunch on Monday (approximately 1pm). 

Yes and no. Elevate can help organise a limited amount of transport within the Auckland region. For other regions, campers and volunteers will need to organise transport 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. 

We ask that you do not come to camp if you are at all unwell. Cold or Flu, tummy bugs, spots, vomiting etc can spread through the camp very quickly. Please call the office 09 636 4763 to let us know. There is a high possibility that if you come to camp unwell and if you fall unwell during camp, that you may be asked to go home.