Bridge Valley Adventure Centre is a fully catered school camp near Wakefield in Nelson Tasman, about 15 minutes from Richmond and 25 minutes from central Nelson. Set in rural countryside with its own lake, it offers accommodation for around 120 in ensuite cabins and lodges, a dining hall for 150, and a long list of activities, from Nelson’s only luge, high ropes and laser tag to an inflatable aqua park, waterslide and mini golf. Schools can book a full camp package or a single-day Big Day Out.
Why schools choose Bridge Valley
- Camp packages that do the planning for you: accommodation, all meals, unlimited Level 1 activities and staff-run team events are included.
- A huge range of activities: more than 30 options, from instructor-run adventures to free-play favourites.
- Trained parent helpers: Bridge Valley staff train your adult volunteers to run activities and camp duties, which keeps costs down.
- Less admin for teachers: free access to cabin organisation and camp management software.
- Day trips too: Big Day Out packages give classes a full adventure day without an overnight stay.
- Independently audited safety: QualWorx and OutdoorsMark Premium certification, with documentation boards of trustees can rely on.
- Close to town: just 15 minutes from Richmond and 25 minutes from Nelson.
School camp packages
Every school camp includes 24 hours on site for each night booked, a full day of meals on the Bronze menu (afternoon tea, dinner, dessert, supper or hot chocolate, breakfast, morning tea and lunch, plus tea and coffee for adults), unlimited Level 1 activities, one or two team events run by Bridge Valley staff, training for your parent helpers, and free access to cabin organisation and camp management software. Standard pricing is based on at least 25 students for two nights.
Standard
A great first camp experience for students of any age. Parent helpers run the activities after training, which keeps the cost low. Includes unlimited Level 1 activities and a staff-run team event every 48 hours, with specialised activities available as add-ons.
Ultimate
Adds one Level 2 and one Level 3 activity per day, plus an hour on the hydroslide, on top of unlimited Level 1 activities and a team event every 48 hours. Designed with EOTC learning outcomes in mind.
Extreme
The top school package, adding an Extreme activity every day on top of Level 2 and Level 3 options. Students take part in three extended 1.5-hour activity rotations each day, finishing with free water play.
Big Day Out
A single-day programme for schools not staying overnight, built around two staff-run activities, a staff-run team event or water time, and lunch (bring your own or add catering). It suits up to 32 students, or up to 48 doing the same activities in three rotations.
School camp accommodation
- Cabins: eight bunk-style cabins, each with its own ensuite, ideal for grouping students by class or gender.
- Pukeko Lodge: seven bunk rooms sleeping up to 40, with shared bathrooms (including a disabled-access bathroom) and heat pumps.
- Tui Lodge: six motel-style ensuite rooms sleeping up to four each, with bedding and towels supplied and a shared executive lounge and kitchen, well suited to teachers and parent helpers.
Students in the cabins and Pukeko Lodge bring their own bedding.
Facilities for school groups
- Main hall and dining room: seats up to 150, with a sunken lounge area around an open fireplace, games, and the indoor Climb the Rigging activity for wet days.
- Conference room: seats 80, with audio and multimedia equipment, next to an outdoor area.
- Tui Lounge: a comfortable lounge with kitchen, TV and heat pump for staff downtime.
- Lake, swimming pool and waterslide.
- Playground, trampoline and open grassed areas for free play.
Catering
School camps are fully catered on the Bronze menu, covering every meal and snack from afternoon tea on arrival to lunch on departure. Common dietary requirements are catered for, with final numbers and dietary needs confirmed a week before camp. Parent helpers are trained to help with food service and the dish pit.
Activities
Activities are grouped into levels. Level 1 activities are unlimited in every package and run by trained adult helpers, while higher-level and Extreme activities are run by Bridge Valley instructors.
Instructor-run adventures
- Luge: a 300-metre track, the only luge in Nelson.
- High ropes: 16 elements up to 8 metres high, finishing with a zipline.
- Laser tag: outdoor games with multiple modes.
- Tree climb.
- Abseiling and rock climbing.
- Raft mission: a team survival challenge.
- Lake flying fox, crate stack and Climb the Rigging (indoors).
Adult-led activities
- Kayaking, inflatable aqua park and hydroslide.
- Archery and air rifles.
- Mountain boards and drift trikes.
- Fire and damper and team rescue.
Level 1 (unlimited)
- Waterslide, swimming pool and jumping platform.
- Low ropes and team initiatives.
- Orienteering and the Burma trail.
- Mini golf and slippery pole.
Free time
- Small flying fox, confidence course, playground, trampoline, table tennis and Ed’s Alley.
Curriculum connections
A camp at Bridge Valley fits well with education outside the classroom (EOTC) and can support learning in:
- Health and Physical Education: challenge, risk management, water confidence, teamwork and leadership.
- Key competencies: managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing through cabin life, team events and camp duties.
- Science and Technology: orienteering, navigation and problem solving through raft and crate challenges.
Safety
Bridge Valley holds QualWorx certification for all activities covered by the Adventure Activities regulations, along with OutdoorsMark and OutdoorsMark Premium, which goes beyond the baseline standard for safety systems, staff and volunteer training. Schools and boards of trustees can rely on that certification, the supporting documentation and Bridge Valley’s internal training when approving a camp.
About Bridge Valley
Bridge Valley grew from Allan and Stephanie Moore’s vision of a ranch where town kids could experience the country. The Moore family gave their land, volunteers built the centre, and it opened in 1982. It is run by Bridge Valley Limited for the Bridge Valley Christian Trust, with Christian values at its heart, and welcomes campers of all backgrounds.
School camp rates
Camps are priced per package (Standard, Ultimate or Extreme), based on a minimum of 25 students for two nights. Big Day Out pricing is based on 25 people. Extra Level 2, Level 3 and Extreme activities can be added. Contact Bridge Valley for current rates.
Example three-day camp
An example of how an Ultimate package camp could look (programmes are tailored to each school):
- Day 1: Arrive for afternoon tea, settle into cabins, Level 1 rotations (waterslide, low ropes and orienteering), evening team event.
- Day 2: High ropes, kayaking and an hour on the hydroslide, Burma trail, hot chocolate supper.
- Day 3: Luge or laser tag, mini golf and free time, lunch, then depart.
Getting there
Bridge Valley is on Moore Road near Wakefield, about 15 minutes from Richmond and 25 minutes from central Nelson, making it easy to reach for schools across Nelson Tasman.
Nearby attractions for school groups
- Tasman’s Great Taste Trail: an off-road cycle trail looping through Wakefield, Nelson, Māpua and Motueka.
- Faulkner Bush Scenic Reserve, Wakefield: boardwalks through native bush and a playground.
- Wai Iti Recreation Reserve: access to the Wai Iti Dark Sky Park and Kainui Bike Park.
- Founders Heritage Park, Nelson: history-based class activities and education resources.
- Natureland Wildlife Trust, Tāhunanui: native birds including kākā and kea, with a conservation focus.
- Abel Tasman National Park: DOC-supported school education programmes.
Other groups and events
- Holiday camps: school holiday camps for ages 8–13, plus leadership pathways for older teens.
- Church camps and retreats: weekends, women’s and men’s events.
- Conferences and team building: a conference room for 80, Silver or Gold catering and activities for corporate groups.
- Family reunions, weddings and birthdays.
- Christmas functions and day adventures.
Good to know
- Final numbers and dietary requirements are due a week before camp.
- Minimum activity group sizes apply (10 students for Standard and Ultimate, 14 for Extreme).
- Student teams help with cleaning under adult supervision.
- Some activities have a minimum height of 1.1 metres.
- The lake is unfenced, so children must be supervised.
Frequently asked questions
How many students can Bridge Valley accommodate?
Bridge Valley sleeps around 120 across eight ensuite cabins, Pukeko Lodge (up to 40) and Tui Lodge’s six motel-style rooms, with a dining hall seating 150.
What is included in a school camp package?
24 hours on site per night, all meals on the Bronze menu, unlimited Level 1 activities, staff-run team events, training for parent helpers and free camp management software.
Can we visit for just one day?
Yes. Big Day Out packages include two staff-run activities, a team event or water time, and lunch options, for up to 32 students (or 48 in three rotations).
What activities are available?
Luge, high ropes, laser tag, abseiling, rock climbing, tree climb, raft mission, kayaking, an inflatable aqua park, archery, air rifles, orienteering, Burma trail, mini golf, waterslide and more.
Is Bridge Valley safety certified?
Yes. It holds QualWorx certification under the Adventure Activities regulations, plus OutdoorsMark and OutdoorsMark Premium.
Where is Bridge Valley?
It is on Moore Road near Wakefield in Nelson Tasman, about 15 minutes from Richmond and 25 minutes from central Nelson.
