Camp Bentzon Trust – bringing the outdoors to our youth since 1972
Camp Bentzon on North Cove, Kawau Island is a registered charity.
“Generosity gave the camp life and continues to be its main driving force”.
The facility is situated at Kawau island on 28 acres of bush right by a stony beach providing easy access for kayaks, sail boats and SUPs, which are all included at no extra charge. A peaceful Island, there are no roads and lots of bird noise. It is an “overseas escape in NZ”.
Camp Bentzon provides a facility for school camps during the weekdays. Weekends are for family groups, churches, playcentres, youth groups, scouts, cultural groups and many other types of large groups.
The camp is managed by Peter and Erin Hyde who have filled this role since 2006. Peter and Erin report to a Board of 10 volunteers, many of whom have been on the board for over 10 years.
How to get there:
Camp Bentzon is close to Auckland, but it feels like you have “escaped”. Travel to Sandspit, Warkworth by road (approximately 60km from Auckland) then a short, sheltered boat ride on a regular ferry service – 6 nautical miles. The ferry drops you off at our wharf which is a short, 3-minute level walk to building.
ARCHERY
PADDLE BOARDING
SAILING
KAYAKING
CONFIDENCE COURSE
PLAYGROUND
Camp facilities:
The camp has 110 beds and a separate 10-bed facility with wheelchair access and own bathroom – with tenting we can take up to 140 people. There is a full commercial kitchen, cutlery and plates are supplied and of course there are plenty of outdoor activities to do.
Camp activities:
Schools only activities:
Archery, Raft building, Abseiling, Orienteering.
Sailing and Kayaking Instruction available for schools only.
Camp activities for everyone:
You must already have the necessary skills to use Camp Equipment. It is use by self management ie no Camp Bentzon staff will be overseeing you or available for training.
Wharf jumping, Kayaking, Sailing, Confidence course, Stand up paddle boards, Fitness trail, Fishing, Damper making, Bush walks, Playground
Equipment is included in your nightly charge meaning you are not faced with extra costs to do activities whilst here, unless of course you want to walk over the hill to the café / pub or do other activities outside of Camp Bentzon: no “buy pressure”!
CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY…
