A: Canterbury Youth Services (CYS), a registered charitable trust committed to helping local churches build healthy youth Ministries. As well as our involvement with Eastercamp, CYS runs an annual Youth Leader training weekend, Amped Intermediate camp, and Xtend camps for Christian high-schoolers.

Contact the CYS office for information on these events, or for youth leader coaching, youth work resources, youth pastors training courses, mentoring and networking.

A: Ask your young person which youth group they plan to attend with, and then contact the Youth Leader from that group, or the church. They have a ‘letter to parents’ with more information on it to give you. Or download it on this website under the Parents section.

A: It is fine for a person with special needs to bring a carer with them. Both the camper and the carer need to register and pay the full camp fees. Please state any special needs clearly on your registration form so we can assist you as best we can.

A: We put a lot of energy into making sure Eastercamp is as safe as possible. However sometimes accidents and illness does occur.

A team of qualified medical staff - doctors and nurses - is available 24 hours a day throughout camp at a specially setup clinic “EC SCRUBS”. This team is for dealing with moderate and serious medical issues only. A leader should always come to the clinic with the camper and stay during treatment. Serious medical cases or accidents are referred to Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department accompanied by a doctor, nurse or leader as appropriate.

The emergency number provided by the camper will be used to inform a parent/guardian if a camper is referred to the hospital. We have a team of Social Workers onsite also to assist with… well… social issues.

A: Make sure you let us know when you register. We pass all medical information to our Medical team. Make sure you bring the all medication you require to camp. If you have a particularly serious condition that requires some special attention, please contact us prior to camp.

A: We have a shift-based 24hr Safety team patrolling the site internally and along perimeter fences. Intruders are issued trespass orders and referred to our friendly onsite POLICE officers.

A: Contact your Youth Leader and let him/her know. They will ensure you have somewhere to sleep.

A: A few activities/items may attract a small charge but none of these are compulsory. T-shirts, CDs, Freeset tees & bags and other merchandise will be on sale at el-cheapo prices. Helicopter rides may be available for around $40ish - a luxury! You can also purchase snacks at any of the camp cafes at reasonable prices.

So, yes, some spending money would not go astray, but there is nothing else you need to pay for once you get to camp.

A: Email us as soon as you realize something is missing after you get home. Check your tent and poles! If you are in the Christchurch area you can come and look through our stash of lost property during office hours (phone 03 354 2181 first to check).

We do our best to reunite lost property with its owners, but please be patient. It can take some time for gear to be returned to the office, especially if it has been taken home by the wrong person.

Named items definitely stand the best chance of being returned. We may ask you to mail us a post-paid mailing bag before we can return your gear. After six weeks we donate leftover lost property to a local charity.

We do not do mass emails out to all campers in search of individual camper's gear.

A: Cell phone coverage at camp is patchy at best. If you have an emergency, and need us to get a message to a camper, please telephone (03) 354 2181 or message us from this website. If phoning, leave a clear message with your name, phone number, and the name and youth group of the camper.

We will clear the office messages a couple of times a day during camp, and the camper will be able to use the office telephone to get back in touch with you if necessary. Please understand that with an event this size, and depending on what is happening in the programme at the time we get your message, it can take a while to track your young person down.

A: Eastercamp mail should be addressed to: CYS (Canterbury Youth Services), P O Box 5533, Papanui, Christchurch, 8542. (Please do not post cash!) Phone/fax: 03 354 2181.

To send us an email, use the contact form on this website. Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (but ring before you come just in case we’re busy or setting up camp!).

A: When you’ve got over 4000 people showing up for camp it’s hard to cancel/postpone anything with clear communication, so we don’t cancel camp unless the conditions provide any immediate danger.

It is important you bring gear and equipment for all situations/weather, as it can get pretty cold at night. If you have any doubts before camp it’s always best to check with your youth group leader first. This website is the best place to find up to date cancellation and/or emergency information.

A: Easter camp is for those aged between Year 9-13 or are aged 13 at the start of camp (1st April). If you would normally still be at high school in 2010 but have decided to leave then you are still allowed to come.

If you are older than high school age you cannot come as a general camper. You could come as a leader or worker. Contact CYS for further information.

A: We’re  not really sure, but we might get you to count them when you come to camp.

A: Talk to your youth leader first. They have a heap of info that we send to them, including the Leaders' Guide, which may well tell you what you need to know. If you're still stuck, send us a message.

A: Youth Leaders have a supply of forms. If they've run out, get them to contact us, or you can print your own off from here or register online.

A: You need to be at least 13 years old by the start of camp (1st April, 2010) or in Year 9 or above this school year.

A: Yes, $110 per person, but there are some conditions. The family discount applies if:

1. The fees and registration forms are received at CYS by 5pm Monday 15th March 2010. 
2. Registrations are received together (i.e. mailed in the same envelope or hand delivered together)
   AND 
3. Campers are financially dependent on the same adult(s). Proof that campers are from the same family must be supplied if requested.

You cannot register online if you want the family discount. You must mail all forms/fees in the same envelope to Eastercamp, P.O. Box 5533, Papanui, Christchurch or hand deliver to: 472 Cranford St, Papanui, Chch (above Chipmunks).

A: No. Each camper must ensure all fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. Fees cannot be paid on arrival at camp. Registrations close Friday 26th March, 5pm.

A: If you are canceling before 5pm Friday 26th March, notify CYS by phone (03 354 2181) or email. If you leave an answer phone message, please be sure to state clearly your ID number, name, address and contact phone.

A refund cheque for the fees paid, less the $40 non-refundable portion, will be mailed to you after camp.

After 5pm, Friday 26th March, you need to notify CYS by phone with details as above and supply a medical certificate if you require a refund. Campers must phone their Youth Leader to let them know also.

A: If you have not received a refund by the end of April, please contact the CYS office and we will check it out for you. All refunds are sent by cheque. If you paid your fees by cheque, the refund will be issued to the same name as on the payment, and mailed to the address of the camper. If you paid by any other means, the refund cheque will be issued to the camper. If this is not correct for you, please email us.

A: Absolutely no registrations will not be accepted after 5pm, Friday 26th March. This includes leaders and Youth Group Parents.

A: You need to contact your Youth Leader, as Canterbury Youth Services cannot sign the form as being directly responsible for the camper during the weekend.

The Youth Leader, or a Youth Group Parent who knows the camper and will be responsible for His/her wellbeing, needs to sign as carer, and full fees be sent to CYS in the usual way.

A: Once you have submitted your registration, You will receive a “payment confirmation” email. This email will have a bank a/c & reference number for you to make your payment into. Once we see your payment/reference number on our statement, we change your registration status and you’ll receive a confirmation email.

A: Within a few working days of your registration being processed, a confirmation email will be sent to the address given on your form. Sometimes this email can end up in your SPAM folder, or if you didn’t write clearly on your rego form, you might not receive an email.

If you are not on email, and are not sure if you are registered, ask your youth leader. He/she will also have a confirmation pack for you.

A: No one should miss out on camp because they can’t afford it. Talk to your youth leader about sponsorship options. They may have some church sponsorship available. CYS also has a sponsorship fund available, but you must apply to this through your youth leader. A contribution from the camper is still required.

A: Yes. We encourage the use of busses as it’s cheaper than driving, and reduces traffic congestion & parking requirements. CYS helps Youth Leaders organise busses for Eastercamp. Talk to your youth leader if you are interested.

A: We have limited car parking available onsite. If you can’t use an EC bus then make sure you carpool. Some car parks  are a short distance from the main camping sites so be prepared for a little walk. No cars are allowed onsite during the event without a car pass.

A: Yes, if you are arriving before 11pm, the check-in desk will be open. If you are arriving after 11pm, or on Friday morning, you will have to check in with the Safety Team at the gate. If you are the leader of a group arriving late, please let us know in advance.

A: We take the safety of campers and security of the campsite very seriously, so coming and going during camp is discouraged. Occasionally, however, campers have to leave the site for legitimate reasons, e.g. for work, to give birth (it has happened!) or to attend a wedding. No one may leave the site without authorization from the camp office.

Before camp, campers who wish to leave must supply to in writing to the CYS Offices: reason for leaving, times of departure and return, a contact phone number while away from camp, and if the camper is under 18, signed permission from a parent or legal guardian.

The easiest way is to send a note in when you register. Check with your Youth Leader for details in the Eastercamp Leaders' Guide.

A: Sorry, but day visitors are not allowed. People who attend selected parts of the programme often unknowingly disrupt the community atmosphere of camp. Visitors also create headaches for our Safety Team members who are responsible for the integrity of the site and the wellbeing of a very large number of young people. Let’s not even start on the headaches it causes the cooks.

This includes adults who are just coming to "have a look". If you are keen to be involved with camp, there are plenty of ways you can volunteer to help: Youth Group Parents, Safety Team, site team, activities supervisors, admin, marquee set-up and pack down. Check out the Volunteers page for more info

A: The gates open for campers at 2pm on Thursday 1st April. From that time you can register and set up your accommodation area as directed. Follow the instructions of the Safety Team at all times.

Youth Leaders and Youth Group Parents can set up at other times. Please check the Leaders' Guide for dates and times.

A: Camp closes after lunch, Monday 5th April. Instructions for pack-up will be given and all campers can expect to be involved for a short time. Adults picking up campers can arrive from 1pm.

Please be prepared to wait if your young people are not free to leave at that time. Please be patient if there are traffic hold-ups, and remember that campers and volunteer staff are all likely to be tired.

You may have had the weekend off - we haven't! Your cheerful co-operation with the staff, Safety Team, and Police will be greatly appreciated.

Some youth groups are bussing back to their churches. You should talk to the Youth Leader of the Youth Group your child is going with to arrange pick up times from their church.

A: The kitchen is flat-tack turning out thousands of meals three times a day, so unfortunately it's too much to ask them to handle special food requirements. You will need to bring your own food to fill whatever gaps you need.

We will have fridge space available if you need it, but please let us know in advance. There are no discounts available for not eating the food. Camp is still pretty good value!

A: If you have other special needs, e.g. wheelchair access to facilities, please state them clearly on your registration form. Wheelchair access to toilets and showers is available.

We welcome everyone who wants to come to camp. If you need to speak to someone about your needs before registering, email your question off the website.

A: All meals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are included in the camp fee, as are Monday breakfast and lunch. There is no meal provided Thursday night, but the cafés will be open for light snacks if you have a gap to fill. What a deal!

A: Yes. There are plenty of places to wash dishes, so there is no need to use disposable plates. Be environmentally friendly! Bring your plate/s, cup, bowl, knife, fork and spoon in a named bag that will last the weekend. Bring a couple of tea towels as well.

A: Send us a message off this website to introduce yourself and give us your details. We will send you a leader's info pack and answer your questions.

A: You provide an adult presence based in your youth group’s area as well as helping out with the general running of camp for a short period of time.

Your Youth Leader has more information for you in the Leaders' Guide. Once you have registered for camp, we can send you a copy of the Leaders' Guide on request.  You should familiarise yourself with the information on the Leaders page on this website.

If you have questions in the meantime, please ask you Youth leader.

A: Yes, Youth Group Parents pay only $60, but must have their rego in by 5pm Fri 26 March