Coopers Beach Christian Youth Camp is a self-catered school camp in Doubtless Bay, Northland, overlooking Coopers Beach with the sea just across the road. Run by a not-for-profit charitable committee with resident camp managers, it sleeps around 120 people in dormitories, lodges and family rooms, and has an 80-metre waterslide, kayaks and a confidence course on site. It suits schools that want a large, well-equipped base in the Far North where they can run their own programme.
Why schools choose Coopers Beach Camp
- Room for a whole school or year group: around 120 beds, with separate boys’ and girls’ dormitories and lodges for staff and parent helpers.
- The beach on the doorstep: a safe swimming beach is just across the road, ideal for swimming, beach games and kayaking.
- Plenty to do on site: an 80 m waterslide, kayaks, confidence course, trampolines, gaga ball, slippery hockey and more.
- A kitchen built for big groups: commercial ranges, a combi oven, walk-in chiller and a dining hall seating around 130.
- Your camp, your way: self-catered and self-run, so teachers set the timetable, menu and activities.
- Not-for-profit: a registered charity set up to give young people outdoor experiences that build confidence and character.
- Handy to shops: a supermarket is close by in Coopers Beach for top-up supplies.
School camp accommodation
The camp sleeps approximately 120 across a mix of dormitories, lodges and smaller rooms, making it easy to house students by gender or class and give adults their own space.
Dormitories
- Boys’ dormitory: 33 beds, plus two attached family rooms with a further 13 beds, handy for supervising staff.
- Girls’ dormitory: 47 beds.
- Each dormitory has its own attached bathroom block with three showers, three toilets and a disability-friendly wet room.
Lodges and staff rooms
- Cooks Quarters: five rooms behind the hall and kitchen (a family room, two doubles and two twins) with two shower and toilet rooms, well placed for the kitchen team.
- Norfolk Lodge: four twin bedrooms with attached shower and toilet facilities.
- Totara Lodge: six queen rooms (three also have bunks) and a twin room, three showers and three toilets, and a kitchenette. Linen is supplied in Totara Lodge.
Caravans and tents
There are two caravan or motorhome connection points and room for tents.
Mattresses are provided in the dormitories, Cooks Quarters and Norfolk Lodge. Bring sleeping bags or bedding, plus towels.
Facilities for school groups
- Commercial kitchen: two commercial electric ranges with gas hobs, a combi oven, microwave, zip hot water, steam steriliser, two fridges, mixer, toasters, utensils, cutlery and crockery.
- Food preparation room: deep freeze and walk-in chiller for storing supplies for a full camp.
- Dining hall: seats around 130 at collapsible tables, so it doubles as a space for assemblies, games and wet-weather sessions. A piano, projector and DVD player are available.
- Leaders’ room: a quiet room off the hall for staff meetings or time out.
- Laundry: two commercial washing machines and a coin-operated dryer.
- Accessible bathrooms: a disability-friendly wet room in each dormitory block.
- Outdoor courts and games areas: volleyball, basketball, gaga ball and space for team games.
- Fire pit for evening gatherings.
Self-catering
Coopers Beach Camp is self-catered. Schools bring their own food and cooks, and the commercial kitchen, prep room and walk-in chiller are set up for feeding large groups over several days. The dining hall takes around 130, so the whole camp can sit down together.
Activities on site
All activities are run by the visiting group. Before using any equipment, groups appoint adult supervisors who meet with the camp managers, and follow the camp’s risk management assessments, which makes planning and EOTC paperwork straightforward.
Water activities
- Waterslide: an 80-metre slide, a favourite with students on warm days.
- Kayaking: 13 single and 2 double kayaks, with life jackets provided.
- Swimming and beach activities: Coopers Beach is just across the road, with several other beaches nearby.
Challenges and games
- Confidence course for teamwork and challenge sessions.
- Mountain boards for something a bit different.
- Trampolines, tug of war and table tennis.
- Slippery hockey and gaga ball, popular active games for large groups.
- Volleyball and basketball.
Evenings
- Campfire evenings around the fire pit.
- Concerts, quizzes, films and group sessions in the dining hall.
Curriculum connections
A camp at Coopers Beach fits well with education outside the classroom (EOTC) and can support learning in:
- Health and Physical Education: water confidence, kayaking, challenge activities, teamwork and leadership.
- Science: beach and coastal ecosystems around Doubtless Bay.
- Social Sciences: the history of Doubtless Bay and Mangōnui, including pā sites and early whaling.
- Key competencies: managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing through shared living and cooking.
Run by a charitable trust
The camp is owned and run by the Coopers Beach Christian Youth Camp Ownership Committee, a registered charity whose purpose is to give young people an outdoor activity facility that builds confidence and character. It is a member of Christian Camping NZ, and resident camp managers look after the site. Alongside school and group bookings, the camp runs its own family and kids’ camps through the year.
School camp rates
Rates are charged per person per night, with different rates for the dormitories, lodges and tent or motorhome sites. A minimum nightly charge and a deposit apply, and rates are higher in the peak summer season (20 December to 31 January). Term-time camps fall in the off-peak period. Contact the camp for current rates and availability.
Example three-day camp
An example of how a school camp at Coopers Beach could look (every camp is planned by the school):
- Day 1: Arrive and settle in, waterslide session, beach games across the road, campfire evening.
- Day 2: Activity rotations (kayaking, confidence course, mountain boards and gaga ball), visit to Rangikapiti Pā lookout, evening concert in the hall.
- Day 3: Beach and coastal study session, team clean-up, depart for home.
Getting there
The camp is on State Highway 10 at Coopers Beach in Doubtless Bay, approximately four hours’ drive north of Auckland. Mangōnui is just along the coast, and Kaitāia and Kerikeri are both within day-trip distance.
Nearby attractions for school groups
- Rangikapiti Pā: a historic pā site above Mangōnui with wide views over Doubtless Bay.
- Mangōnui Heritage Trail: a self-guided walk through the history of Mangōnui.
- Butler Point Whaling Museum: Butler House, built in 1847, with a whaling museum and gardens of ancient pōhutukawa.
- Karikari Peninsula: Maitai Bay and its headland track, with sheltered beaches.
- Cable Bay: a neighbouring beach, good for a change of scene.
- Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga): a significant day trip to the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.
- Te Paki Sand Dunes: giant dunes popular for sandboarding, on the way to Cape Reinga.
Other groups and events
The camp takes group bookings only, and welcomes:
- Church and youth groups: a Christian camp with its own family camps at Easter and King’s Birthday weekend.
- Family reunions: lodges with queen rooms and family rooms alongside dormitory space for larger gatherings.
- Community groups and training providers: a dining hall for 130 and plenty of accommodation for residential courses.
Good to know
- Arrival is between midday and 5pm, and departure is by 10am.
- Bring bedding (except in Totara Lodge), towels, a first aid kit, toilet paper, tea towels and detergent.
- Each group nominates a first aid officer.
- Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am.
- Alcohol, smoking, vaping, dogs and fireworks are not permitted. Check fire rules with the camp managers before using the fire pit.
- Equipment stays on the grounds, and groups leave the camp clean on departure.
Frequently asked questions
How many students can Coopers Beach Camp accommodate?
The camp sleeps approximately 120 in boys’ and girls’ dormitories, lodges and family rooms, with space for tents and two motorhome sites.
Is Coopers Beach Camp catered?
No. It is self-catered, with a commercial kitchen, prep room, walk-in chiller and a dining hall seating around 130.
What activities are available on site?
An 80-metre waterslide, kayaks, a confidence course, mountain boards, trampolines, volleyball, basketball, gaga ball, slippery hockey, table tennis, tug of war and a fire pit, with the beach across the road.
Are instructors provided?
No. Activities are run by the visiting group, with adult supervisors who meet the camp managers before using equipment.
Do we need to bring bedding?
Yes. Mattresses are provided, but groups bring their own bedding, except in Totara Lodge where linen is supplied.
Where is Coopers Beach Camp?
It is on State Highway 10 at Coopers Beach in Doubtless Bay, Northland, approximately four hours’ drive north of Auckland.
