Our Taupo location began in 1959, when an idea began to grow on how to enhance the work of Every Girls and Boys Rally. This organisation was a prolific youth movement connected with local churches around New Zealand.
The search began for a suitable campsite, one that would allow for a Christian camp to grow and thrive over time. The site chosen was in the ideal location, located right off Highway 1, with sweeping views across Lake Taupo, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ruapehu rising just in the distance.
After years of negotiations, the property was acquired in 1965 by Robert Laidlaw and Houlton Forlong for £252 ($504) and the Mission Bay Youth Camp was established.
From its early development, men and women from all over the country dedicated themselves to building a place of education and a venue where God’s mission could be carried out. They believed that a Christian youth camp would help young people find their direction and purpose in life.
During the first year of ownership, groups came simply to camp under the stars, where the only roofs were made of tin and canvas, water was collected from the lake, and dishes were washed in drums of hot water.
The first official camp was not held until 1966 during the school holidays. Houlton and his wife Mabel cooked, while young adults from local churches volunteering their time to lead, united together in a desire to share God’s message.
In 1988, the camp was renamed Lake Taupo Christian Camp to avoid confusion with a similarly named site in Auckland.
As we approach our 70th anniversary, we reflect on the thousands of campers and leaders who have come to this camp and have been refreshed and restored through God’s word.
The search began for a suitable campsite, one that would allow for a Christian camp to grow and thrive over time. The site chosen was in the ideal location, located right off Highway 1, with sweeping views across Lake Taupo, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ruapehu rising just in the distance.
After years of negotiations, the property was acquired in 1965 by Robert Laidlaw and Houlton Forlong for £252 ($504) and the Mission Bay Youth Camp was established.
From its early development, men and women from all over the country dedicated themselves to building a place of education and a venue where God’s mission could be carried out. They believed that a Christian youth camp would help young people find their direction and purpose in life.
During the first year of ownership, groups came simply to camp under the stars, where the only roofs were made of tin and canvas, water was collected from the lake, and dishes were washed in drums of hot water.
The first official camp was not held until 1966 during the school holidays. Houlton and his wife Mabel cooked, while young adults from local churches volunteering their time to lead, united together in a desire to share God’s message.
In 1988, the camp was renamed Lake Taupo Christian Camp to avoid confusion with a similarly named site in Auckland.
As we approach our 70th anniversary, we reflect on the thousands of campers and leaders who have come to this camp and have been refreshed and restored through God’s word.
