I love camp.....camp, camp, camp.......I love camp......
So this weekend we had our winter camp for Camp Quality. This year it was Taupo and the snow for the weekend!
Firstly, it all started on Friday. I had arranged to have the day off, but our big boss decided to have a team building day that day. So I organised myself on Thursday night and headed to work as normal on Friday. We went to the Hamilton Gardens, where we did Myers Briggs stuff. For those who don't know, it's all about your personality type. We worked on the different types in the group and how to best work and communicate with them.
Of course the fun stuff started in the afternoon, when I had to leave for camp! We had clues that took us around the Gardens, looking for more clues.
Luckily the bus for camp was picking the Hamilton group up at the Gardens (I organised that before I even knew about the team building day!). The bus was due to leave at 3.00pm sharp. Sadly the bus company had other ideas. Once we finally arrived in Taupo (after another 5 pick ups), we were an hour behind schedule. Burger King and McDonalds were waiting for us, although I have to say Taupo BK is not the best place to go for a group. They wouldn't pour drinks for us, so a group of us stood in front of the drinks machine and poured about 30 drinks - much to the disgust of their other customers. McDonalds on the other hand, felt bad that we were running late and would have cold chips, so they packed another 4 VERY large bags of fresh, hot chips. Go Taupo McDonalds!!!!!!!!! We ate on the bus, on the way to our camp in Mission Bay.
We all settled into camp on arrival, had the safety video and headed to bed. The next morning I was up at 6.30am. No different to a work day....sigh. Lorraine and I were on kitchen duty. We got to the dining room and were given the job of setting the tables. Once that was done, so were we. They had it all under control. We asked about setting up stuff to make packed lunches and they wondered what we were talking about. They had made filled rolls for everyone! After breakfast, we did a few of the big dishes that don't go in the steriliser and tidied a few kumaras that didn't go through the potato peeler, and we were done. The easiest kitchen duties I've ever done!
We then headed up to Whakapapa ski field for a day at the snow. I don't really like snow and cold! I know! A sook, but I don't care. The kids got to go for a ride on the big chairlift to see what the top fields looked like. Then they headed to the area where you can use toboggans. With a quick break for lunch (sheltering on the bus) most of the kids headed back out. I stayed on the bus with the few little kids that had had enough of the cold.
On the way back down, we stopped at some random hot pools, just out of Turangi. Never heard of it and would have no idea how to find it again! It was just a quick visit to warm everyone up.
Saturday night was the greatest feast! Lorraine and I went to help with dinner and we were told we'd only be needed to help dish the second course. That's right - SECOND course! We had a 3 course dinner! Amazing! Soup, roast beef and vegies then raspberry & apple shortcake! YUM! Again, only a handful of dishes to do before we were dismissed.
Sunday we headed to DeBrett's Hot Pools for the day. They've done it up well since I was last there (ok that was last century). We managed to leave earlier so by the time the bus got back to Hamilton, we were only 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Thanks to my darling flatmate, Cam, we scored a ride home! Thanks Cammy! ;-)
It was a fabulous weekend and the kids had a great time! OK, us adults also had a great time! Also amongst the talk, I seem to have volunteered to organise next year's mini camp! I did manage to drag in my friend Trudy to help!
Bring it on!!!!!!!!!
