Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre

04/05/2025

It took seven weeks but we finally got to release our eastern rosella back into our native sanctuary at Epworth, a massive thank you to Judy Fentress in Ohaupo for nursing him back to health at her DOC Approved Bird Nursery and Rescue Centre 🦜❤😁

26/04/2025

When your new employee is better looking than you its hard not to get distracted while it works... bluetooth connectivity, cordless technology, infrared sensors to map the pool... look at me sounding like an infomercial, I wonder if I get commission 🤔
We do need to name it though, any suggestions?

30/03/2025

And just like that another Maadi is done at Karapiro; and Epworth, there were some tired bodies and a lot of lost voices from excessive yelling leaving this morning.
It was my first Maadi, and will not be my last, one of my favorite moments at Epworth over this last week was walking into a hallway one morning to be greeted with so much unexpected colour.
The sheets of white paper had a self portrait and someones name on it and then their teammates came along with post it notes and wrote positive affirmations about that person; in a world where so much hatred can be spawned between young people especially on social media it was beautiful and moving to see these young ladies lifting each other up.
Synchronized strokes, synchronized hearts, team building on and off the water.

14/03/2025

I feel like this is a long shot and I'm gonna have to end up taking him home with me for at least tonight, but by any chance is anyone local missing a parakeet? 🙏
I found him in our bush sanctuary area, he has a damaged wing and can't fly 🦜
Straight to the top of the list of strangest things I've found at camp.

09/03/2025

It was Saturday morning, it was a crisp cold morning, one of those mornings that remind you that winter is not far away and as I exited the bush sanctuary to walk down to the river bank there she was, a quiet silhouette at the end of the wharf... at first impression it appeared to be a scene of sadness, quiet self reflection while the fog rolled down the river surrounded by almost complete silence.
As I got closer she heard my footsteps and turned and smiled a massive smile because clasped tightly in her hands was a steaming hot beverage and she had found the most magical place in the camp to enjoy a morning coffee...
Isn't it funny how sometimes things are not always as the are first perceived❤️☕

03/03/2025

A busy weekend for us with multiple groups in but so much fun had by all, the sounds of laughter and fun echoing round the camp is one that I will never tire of, thanks for the great day on Saturday Parafed Waikato

We had an amazing time at Lake Karapiro for our Water Sports Day. A huge thanks to all the volunteers and sports deliverers who made it happen. ...

19/02/2025

17/02/2025

Its the quieter days during the week where Epworth comes alive... there was some creative little builders in our last rowing group, the Epworth fairies were very excited 💚

03/02/2025

Farewell from Ingrid

It’s amazing what stern encouragement does for you when questioning your own abilities to take on a Camp Manager’s role. If it wasn’t for my husband Craig telling me I’d be nuts not to take a job like this right next door, I wouldn’t be who I am 13 years later.

At the start of my camp journey I definitely did not envision the long list of requirements you would need to become a Camp Manager. The name itself is such a ridiculously broad title and sounds a bit boring. These are some of the more creative titles that should have more relevancy:

Logistics manager
Content creator
Outdoor program coordinator
Lifesaving solutions provider
Landscaper
Sous chef / food safety overseer
Maintenance technician
Director of first impressions
Fun police / Chief happiness officer ( that’s a hard one lol)

So many different hats to wear and you run out of hooks to put them on! It’s been tiring at times learning about how to wear these hats the correct way but also satisfying when they feel comfortable from plenty of wear and actually start to look good too!
Hats aside though, it’s been a great 13 years learning and improving the Camp as much as I could.

Thanks to staff who put up with my laid-back management style and all your efforts over the years, enabling my sushi addiction and for helping me find my phone or camp keys I lost during exit cleans ha ha.

Thanks to the committee for trusting me the freedom to make the necessary decisions and vision for Epworth.

Thanks to the businesses and contractors who tried hard to find solutions to problems helping ease my stress levels.

Thanks to the hundreds of interesting groups that I have worked with, some I had never heard of before and some I will never forget!

Thank you to Epworth for the opportunity to become part of its 75 year history. I always say “she’s an oldie but a goodie.”

Thanks to my husband Craig for pushing me out of my comfort zone and having faith in my abilities and also a shoulder to cry on at times, he also came in handy when there was a dead hedgehog stuck in a drain pipe once ha ha ha.

Thanks to my children who helped with the work load and kept the camp full of laughs and cheekiness and kept me young at heart.

I now pass on my hat knowledge to David Raine the new Epworth manager and look forward to the next phase in the camps future and no doubt he will add his legacy.

19/01/2025

Eeny meeny miny moe... thank you Hamilton Jag Club for coming for a day visit and putting on a show

17/01/2025

"It’s summer camp season for rowers around the country but for more than 50 years one place on the Waikato River remains an unforgettable, if not always enjoyable, experience for tens of thousands of rowers"

"As rowing has become an almost year-round school sport, so too has Epworth as a year-round destination"

A beautifully written article by Andy Hay showcasing the long and wonderful history between Rowing New Zealand and Epworth Retreat.

How a Methodist mission became an oarsport sanctuary.