Camp guide
Everything you need to know about Hotfish
Dates, address, costs, kit list and answers to the questions parents and youth leaders ask us most. Read it through before you register — and if something isn't covered here, just ask.
Where camp happens
Camp runs at Higham Beach on the South Head peninsula — sand, bush and the harbour on the doorstep.
Higham Beach
195 Higham RoadSouth Head 0874Getting there
Your church's youth leaders organise transport to and from camp — talk to them about getting your young person there and back.
The trail through a day
Every day looks roughly like this. The weather and the odd surprise sometimes change the plan.
best bit is after dark
Activities
Activities run through the day as tribal challenges and games — everyone takes part.
- Lake trip
- Tribal games
- Burma trail
- Tribal challenges
- Campfire
- Night activities
Pack list
Name everything you can. Lost property gets donated two weeks after camp.
Pack this
- Tent, pegs and mallet
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Towel and toiletries
- Raincoat and warm layers
- Sneakers, plus shoes or gumboots that can get wet
- Old clothes for messy activities
- Togs
- Torch
- Refillable drink bottle
- Any medication, clearly labelled and in its original packaging
- Bible and notebook
Leave at home
- Large amounts of cash
- Expensive jewellery or electronics
- Energy drinks
- Alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, or drugs
Cost
$130 each, due before camp.
Included
- All meals from Wednesday dinner to Sunday lunch
- Use of the camping field and site facilities
- All activities and equipment
- Evening programme and materials
Not included
- Travel to and from camp — speak to your youth leader for details
Subsidies may be available through your church. No young person misses camp because of cost — ask your youth leader in confidence to find out.
Safety and Safer Churches
Camp is run by police-vetted volunteers under our Safer Churches policies. We don't have a dedicated lead on site, but any questions or concerns can go to fini@hcc.net.nz.
First aid
A qualified first aider is on site 24 hours a day. The nearest clinic is Kaipara Medical Centre, 30 minutes away (8:30am–5pm, Monday to Friday). Out of hours, Waitakere Hospital is open 24/7 and about 1 hour 10 minutes away. We will call parents straight away for anything beyond a plaster.
Ratios
We run at least one youth leader for every six young people, and church groups stay together for camping and small groups.
Water safety
Every swimming session at the lake or beach is run and watched by our water safety team. Nobody goes in the water without their parent or guardian's permission, which the registration form asks for along with how confident a swimmer they are. Non-swimmers with permission stay in the shallow, marked area with the team.
Photos and video
We take photos and video during the week for the last-night slideshow, and some of it ends up on this website and our social media. The registration form asks each of these separately, and a no to either is respected; you can change your answer at any time through your church's youth leader.
Around the fire
The questions parents and youth leaders ask us most.
Who can come?
Any young person in Year 9 to Year 13, attending with a church youth group. If your church isn't running a group this year, get in touch and we'll try to link you with one nearby.
Who looks after the young people?
Your church's youth leaders look after the young people throughout camp, alongside the camp volunteer team. Every youth leader and volunteer is police vetted, and there is a qualified first aider on site at all times.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Young people camp in separated boys' and girls' tent areas, alongside other youth groups. Church groups bring and pitch their own tents. If you don't have a tent or sleeping gear, talk to your church's youth leaders and they'll help get something sorted.
Can you cater for allergies and dietary needs?
Yes. Tell us on the registration form. If your child has allergies or dietary needs, please register as early as you can — our cooks need plenty of notice to cater for them safely. Our catering team will be in touch before camp if we need more detail.
Can my child swim at camp?
Yes, with your permission. The registration form asks whether your child may swim at the lake or beach, and how confident a swimmer they are — the water is a lake or the sea, not a pool. Every swimming session is run and watched by our water safety team. Nobody goes in the water without permission, and non-swimmers with permission stay in the shallow, marked area with the team.
Can a youth leader give my child pain relief?
Only with your permission. The registration form asks whether a youth leader may give your child paracetamol (Panadol) for pain relief at camp, at the dose on the packet for their age, without contacting you first. If you say no, a leader will contact you before giving them any.
What if my child needs medication?
Bring it in its original packaging with clear instructions. Your child keeps their own medication and is responsible for storing it safely, and they must tell their church's youth leader what medication they've brought so the leaders know what's on site.
Can I contact my child during camp?
Probably not directly. Phones stay in tent bags during sessions, and because the site runs on generators with limited electricity, young people can't charge them, so most will run flat early in the week. Mobile signal at the site is patchy too. Each church's youth leaders keep their phones charged in case of emergency, so they are the best point of contact between you and your child: message them and they'll pass it on.
Still got a question?
Your church youth leader is the quickest route to an answer, but you can always come straight to us.
- Camp office
- fini@hcc.net.nz
- General questions — we aim to reply within two working days.
- Camp phone (during camp week only)
- 021 121 2732
- Staffed 8:00am – 10:00pm.
- Safer Churches questions
- fini@hcc.net.nz
- Any concern about a young person's welfare.