The Y School Camps

With The Y camps for schools, kids are guaranteed an enriching outdoor education experience

Our school camps are an ideal venue for school groups. With over 10,000 children visiting our camps for schools each year, The Y (formerly YMCA) knows what works. We provide high quality outdoor education experiences to children from primary through to secondary school age.

With two camps based in Auckland, The Y Camp Adair and The Y Shakespear Lodge, both within 50 minutes of central Auckland and one based at Port Waikato, The Y Surf Safety - The Y camps for schools give kids the opportunity to experience some classic outdoor activities such as archery, climbing, bushcraft, kayaking, raft building, surfing, snorkelling, and so much more.

Options include single day, overnight and multiple day camps. Support for funding applications also available, please advise at time of enquiry if you would like further information about this.

Why Us?

The Y camps for schools are designed to meet the needs of your group, and we can accommodate all levels of fitness and physical ability. You’ll have a dedicated host for the length of your stay and we can also offer catering, as we believe healthy, wholesome meals are a key part of successful camps for schools.

We know how important it is that your children are in safe hands, so all Y camps for schools are OT approved and all of our school camps meet the criteria of the OutdoorsMark external audit scheme.

The Y Camp Adair

Enjoy the fresh air, open fields and the native bush of one of Auckland's oldest regional park right from the doorstep.

  • Self contained villages
  • Outdoor activities (archery, hiking etc.) & activity based learning
  • Tailored programmes to suit your school's needs

Address: 2487 Hunua Road, Hunua, Auckland

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Shakespear Lodge

With sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf, Shakespear Lodge is perfectly placed to provide a fun, adventurous and educational outdoor experience for schools!

  • Cabin/dorm style accommodation
  • Outdoor land based and sea activities (archery, climbing, kayaking etc.)
  • Tailored programmes to suit your school's needs

Address: 1503 Whangaparaoa Road, Shakespear Regional Park, Army Bay, Auckland

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Surf safety camp

YMCA North is excited to bring our long history of running safe school camps to Sunset Beach, Port Waikato. Working in partnership with specialists, schools complete four beach safety modules:

  • Beach Education
  • Wave warriors/Surf Safety
  • Safe Boating
  • Learn to Fish Programme

Address: Sunset Beach, Port Waikato

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Activities Available

High Ropes

Confidence Course

Climbing Wall

Low Ropes Course

Air Rifles

Adventure Based Learning Games

Confidence Course

Mud Slide

Archery

Tramping

River Traverse

Glow Worms

Camp Fire

Raft Building

Abseiling

River & Ocean Kayaking

Bushcraft

Orienteering

Burma Trail

Super Fox

Sailing

Mountain Boarding

Mountain Biking

Coaststeering

Bush Cooking

Tramping

Sanctuary Discovery

UHF Radios

Water & River Safety

Astronomy

Catering

Healthy, wholesome meals are a key part of every camp. Our school's menu offer Health Camp meals and can be adjusted to the individual needs of your group including for dietary requirements.

The Y Outdoor's kitchens are certified with 'A grade certificates of registration' from Auckland Council and are fully equipped with a wide range of appliances, utensils and cleaning equipment.

Tailored Programmes

At The Y we understand that the requirements and camp objectives are different for every school. To accommodate this The Y Outdoors tailor programmes for every school group based on their unique needs.

Two Unique Facilities In The Auckland Region

Get A Proposal

Find out how The Y Outdoors can create a tailor made programme based on your unique needs