Northern Easter Camp is an annual youth event where thousands of teenagers come together for a jam-packed weekend filled with activities, seminars, worship, great speakers, live music, sports and a whole heap of good times to celebrate the Easter story and the hope of Jesus. With over 100 youth groups coming from all over the North Island, Northern Easter Camp is the largest youth camp in Aotearoa. We’re passionate about uniting the young people of our country and pointing them towards their Creator in a fun and creative way.
Easter camps have long been a significant part of the Christian youth landscape of New Zealand, with events taking place since the early 1900s. By the 1970s, multiple Baptist Easter Camps were being run in most districts of New Zealand before evolving into larger united gatherings in major regions by the early 2000s.
Northern Easter Camp attracts over 4000 young people who descend upon Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton, where a small city is created by more than 100 youth groups from all over the North Island. In order to ensure that everyone is suitably cared for and connected with a community, all attendees are required to attend with a registered youth group.
We were all young once. We can remember wanting to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, something that was fun, adventurous and crazy! For almost 5000 teenagers and young adults, from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and the far North regions, Easter Camp is that place.
Easter Camp is packed full of worship, world-class communicators, live music, sports competitions, seminars, creative arts, talent quests and many other fun and engaging activities. So, why do we do this? Because there are many teenagers in our society who feel misunderstood and confused about many of the issues they face in life.
At camp, we want to create a space where young people can belong to a community, through a local youth community. Together, young people can learn about the issues they face and the challenges they will come across in life. In challenging these young people mentally, physically, spiritually and socially we hope to provide them with tools for life and a hope for the future.
DIRECTOR
Blue Bradley has been the Director of Northern Easter Camp for 15 years. Blue has worked in youth ministry for more than 30 years and is passionate about seeing young-people’s lives transformed to reach their full potential.
Blue is supported by a team of almost 30 Crew who, along with their volunteer teams, help make Northern Easter Camp happen each year.
NORTHERN EASTER CAMP BOARD
Our board is made up of diverse, passionate, skilled, faith-based individuals, representing our key regions.
The role of the board is to support the director and management team in spiritual oversight, key strategic direction and accountability.
CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Blue Bradley
Jonathan Edmeades
Clint Harris
Jess Lovatt
Sarah Barnett
Michelle Harrison
Kia ora team,
I can’t believe it’s that time again. We are super pumped to be launching EC25 and opening registrations this early. We hope it does that extra bit to make the process even easier for you and your youth.
It’s so good to have groups from Central Easter Camp joining us again this year. A massive welcome back to you. I hope you have a fantastic time as we celebrate Easter together.
I still marvel at what God did last year. It was a first for me. I have never experienced a camp where the Holy Spirit was so peacefully present. During our camp set-up week we could feel it in the auditorium and the tent communities. I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness.
I can't wait to see what God will do in the hearts and lives of so many young people this year.
It is a great reminder to keep the main thing, Jesus, the main thing. We will do all of the usual things to make camp awesome. There will be an epic village, all things mud, sports, talent quests, main auditorium mayhem, worship and praise, and so much more. While these are exciting and fun, they are not the main thing. To follow Jesus when we are called and to adopt the way of life Jesus offers us.…. now that's exciting.
Can you remember when God called you to follow Him? Can you remember how it felt? How overwhelming and kinda scary? What about when you were called to serve in youth ministry? The sacrifice, the long nights, and, of course, the fun. Hearing God's voice and feeling called to follow can be daunting and exciting all at once. I’m looking forward to hearing fresh stories of the invitation Jesus will give to us at this camp. Expect our young people to be called by Jesus to follow Him and deepen their relationship with Him. Can I encourage you as leaders please prepare to support them in that calling?
This year, we’re believing Easter Camp to be a stake-in-the-ground moment for thousands of youth. That when they hear the Easter story, they will also hear Jesus calling their name. They will know they are called to be free, called to be healed and whole, called to be light, called as sons and daughters, and called to follow Him.
Every story I hear of how God changed someone’s life at Easter Camp is because they heard the call of Jesus and decided to follow Him. So, in 2025, we’re putting out the call again…Jesus is calling, will you follow Him?
I can’t wait to gather together again! See you in April 2025!
Nāku, nā
Blue