Boys Brigade camp at Ohakune

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 33, 7 February 1984, Page 5

Boys Brigade camp at Ohakune

One hundred and thirty members of the Boys Brigade, aged between 1217, spent more than a week under canvas at Ohakune's Mangawhero Lodge over the New Year period. They, together with about 40 others including brigade officers, cooks, parents and helpers, arrived on 27 December to set up camp and stayed until 5 January. The boys were all accommodated in sleeping tents while some of the others 'camped' in caravans using the Mangawhero Lodge itself only as a firstaid and medical centre. Meals were prepared outside and cooked over a trench fire but eaten in a huge, 40ftx80ft marquee which was also used for meetings and briefings. Some of the wide range of activities undertaken by the boys during their 9-day stay included: climbing, tramping, canoeing, trout fishing, possum trapping, go-karting and swimming. The boys also visited Ohutu Grazing to watch sheep-shearing and the QEII Army Memorial Museum in Waiouru. They also organised their own sporting competitions. "The weather was mainly good throughout and everyone enjoyed their stay in the Waimarino," said Boys Brigade camp organiser, Keith Procter.