Camp KeeWee March 2023

21 lucky KeeWee campers joined us for a fantastic fun packed three days at camp KeeWee 17-19th March. Camp was held at Ngaruawahia Christian Youth Camp in the Waikato.

We had 8 volunteer parent helpers, two Starship nurses Georgie & Nicole, our ambassador Walter & Kidney Kids staff who all contributed to this wonderful experience and a great weekend away. Thank you again to all those who helped as camp would not have happened without you!.

Thanks to everybody who attended, some from as far South as Invercargill. The children were 8-15 years old. Some even flew for the first time as unaccompanied minors. Well done.

Camp life is an enriching experience giving the children the opportunity to try new things such as kayaking and crate stacking and make new friends in a safe nurturing environment. Many of our past kidney kids speak of the lifelong friends they made from camp. One comment which made camp for me was “Rachel I have instant best friends”. This is what it is all about and seeing the children gain confidence and grow over the 3 days.

All children received a certificate saying they attended and completed Camp KeeWee 2023.

Congratulations to these children who stood out and received special awards. Butterfly Awards went to Honour who loved camp, she was so positive and helpful throughout the weekend. Honours happiness was infectious. Tyson received the Green butterfly award as he absolutely thrived with camp life. Lovely to see him smiling and trying all sorts of activities with his new friends.

Outstanding Leadership went to Tarik. He deservingly received this Gold Cup award. Tarik went out of his way to help, was a quiet achiever. Great to see one of our older KeeWee boys go about camp life in such a lovely manner. He was inclusive and had a great attitude.

Ma’afu was a delight to have at camp, he received the Silver Cup award, most improved. He was another quiet achiever and the boys gravitated to him and his relaxed demeaner. We all loved his beautiful piano playing skills!. Ma’afu is self-taught from Youtube and it was wonderful to see him teaching the other boys how to play. What a joy this brought to camp.

Camp wouldn’t be camp without jobs and duties. Everyone pitched in, but some were more efficient and better than others. The Cleanest Cabin, Golden toilet brush award went to the KeeWee Girls in cabin 2B Honour, Libby, Hannah & Imogene. This group of KeeWee girls were always tidy and courteous. Their cabin was sparking clean and they helped in the dining room at meal times too.

Spot prizes for KeeWees were given to Saria who was helpful & gave everything a go, Alexander Montero who thrived at camp and met new friends. Taane too thrived at camp, quietly achieving and had a great time with his Dad leading the group. Imogene who last minute had to fly on her own did so well. And Aaron who gave everything a go.

Well done again to all our KeeWee campers for making Camp KeeWee 2023 such a great success!.