16/03/2026
Thanks for a wonderful article highlighting Camp Raukawa and our wonderful site manager and host, Robyn Mann.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DCkpQHdc8/
YMCA Raukawa Camp takes camping back to what it was
Thousands of children and adults have created lasting memories at YMCA Camp Raukawa since it first opened in the 1950s, tucked 50km up the Parapara Road. For generations, the camp has offered the simple joy of being outdoors together — something Y Central is now proudly returning to.
With the recent clearing of the pine plantation and extensive tidy-up work across the grounds, Camp Raukawa has been revitalised, reflecting the care invested in the site and strengthening its role as an enduring place in the community. That renewed sense of openness and simplicity mirrors a broader shift in direction. While the camp has at times focused on catered programmes and high-adventure activities, changing needs among schools and community groups have inspired a refreshed approach — one that returns to the fundamentals of shared outdoor experience.
“We want to take Camp Raukawa back to camping as it was,” says Andy Savage, Regional Manager.
Instead of packed schedules and structured thrills, the focus is shifting to a slower, more traditional camp experience:
• Evenings around the campfire roasting marshmallows
• Games on the field
• Nature crafts and bush walks
• Simple team-building activities indoors and out
It’s a chance for tamariki, families, and groups to step back from fast-paced, screen-heavy routines and reconnect — with each other and with the environment.
To help make camp more accessible, Raukawa is now offering self-catering options. Groups can prepare meals together, keeping costs down while strengthening the shared experience that makes camp memorable.
The camp is once again in the hands of a familiar face: Robyn Mann, who many will remember from her decade as Camp Manager from 2009 to 2019. After six years leading RDA in Whanganui, Robyn has “come back home,” returning to Raukawa just over a year ago.
Robyn and Andy note that Camp Raukawa’s versatility makes it ideal not only for school camps but also for community retreats, church and youth gatherings, weddings, motorbike groups, yoga retreats — and even a Medieval re-enactment group, hosted just last year.
“Whatever you’re looking for, you can make it your space,” says Robyn.
With no screens and plenty of room to breathe, imagination becomes the most valuable tool at camp — and community becomes the greatest outcome.
