Junior Camp 2025 was the largest since Covid, with 69 young people, 13 junior coaches, and a dedicated team of adult helpers

filling Houghton’s Bush Camp to capacity. Participants were kept busy from the very start with a wide range of orienteering activities around camp, in Woodhill Forest and at local sprint venues.

The number of junior coaches allowed most training groups to have two coaches assigned to them, with the lead coach, Nathan Borton, moving between groups and managing logistics. This allowed significant differentiation in the training offered, meeting each camper where they were. Groups ranged from confident orange runners learning how to transition into red level through to prospective JWOC candidates being pushed to refine and hone their skills under pressure. Alongside the serious training in the forest and at sprint venues, camp based activities took a more light-hearted approach to improving orienteering skills. Having a campsite with an adventure playground and bush on all sides allowed the coaches to devise some highly entertaining events (for both participants and onlookers). These included punching races with controls at the top of climbing frames, night memory rogaining, where a stationary partner had to describe the control locations to a runner, and the mythical Norwegian control description training.

An afternoon at Parakai Springs Hot Pools provided a break from the intensity of training, and opportunity was provided for those who wished to admire the gannet colony at Muriwai Beach. While the supermarket visit on Sunday afternoon after three full days without such aspects of civilisation appeared to be a highlight for some, every orienteer came away with a new kete of skills and ideas to improve their performance. 

Special mention must be made to our caterers, Norm and Chris Jager. Despite spending only half of the catering budget, they kept 90 people, mostly adolescents, extremely well fed with appetising meals. I have run more camps for young people than I can count, and this is the first time that I have fielded not a single complaint about either the quality or the quantity of food. 
by Susana Carryer