Healing, caring captured in camp's new name

CARING FOR YOUTH: Camp Anderson's new name, Waimanaaki, reflects its philosophy of caring for, healing and befriending young people.

Camp Anderson's philosophy of nurturing and healing young people is to be reflected in its new name.

The Riversdale camp, which hosts retreats for children and youth, is rebranding, and will shortly adopt the name Waimanaaki.

The camp site was purchased by the Learn N' Live Ministries Charitable Trust, which runs children's programmes incorporating Christian values, in 1997, and named after the Anderson family who donated money for the land.

These days, Camp Anderson runs regular holiday programmes for five to 13-year-olds, as well as church camps and community retreats.

Director Tania Hopman said the rebranding to Waimanaaki was the natural next step for the camp, which re-opened last year after major renovations.

She said the camp's board wanted a name which would also appeal to those wishing to use it as a venue for major events, such as weddings, family reunions, and school trips.

"We didn't want to change for the sake of it, and we wanted to honour the camp's history," Mrs Hopman, who co-ordinates the children's camps with husband Stephen, said.

"But we want to see it used more widely by the community -- and so we needed a strong brand name."

Mrs Hopman said the name Waimanaaki represents the camp's coastal location and care for young people: with "wai" meaning water and "manaaki" referring to the acts of caring, befriending, welcoming and healing.

Healing is particularly important -- as many of the youth come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are referred from Child, Youth and Family and counselling services.

"It's exactly what we're about: we're a place by the water, which takes care of people," Mrs Hopman said.

"And it's not just limited to kids -- we hope most people can come to the coast and feel healed and rejuvenated."

She said the board consulted with iwi when choosing the name, including Hoani Paku, Masterton District Council Maori liaison officer and kaumatua of Motuwairaka Marae.

"The Maori language is more romantic in the sense that words can take on many different meanings."

Waimanaaki's new logo will include the image of a sprout, representing youth, surrounded by a cradle symbolising water -- also a nod to the camp's spiritual elements.

"We wanted to appeal to the secular market, but didn't want to downplay the fact it's a Christian camp," Mrs Hopman said.

"So the logo represents God's living waters."

Mrs Hopman said Camp Anderson has had a busy year, with larger numbers signed up for the children's camp.

She said she was grateful for the support of the Rotary Club of Masterton and the Tinui Women's Institute, which sponsor children to attend camps, and the Wairarapa Building Society, which helped the camp set up an automated computer booking system.

For more information on Camp Anderson, contact Tania Hopman on 027 278 6208.