Eligibility

This a chance for young orienteers from around Aotearoa to spend time together, explore new terrain, build navigation skills and enjoy plenty of orienteering alongside other juniors who share the same passion for the sport.

The camp is open to students who are in Years 9–13 or home-schooled in 2026, are studying at an NZ school, and are competing at red level or are competent at orange level in regular competition. Eligible applicants will be welcomed, with their club confirming their competition level.Applicants must be:
• secondary school students between Years 9 and 13 in 2026
• belong to an ONZ affiliated club
• competing at red level or competent at orange level in regular competition.

There is a place for every eligible junior who meets the criteria, provided:

• the application is completed by 30 September 2026 (applications after this date will be placed on a waiting list);
• the place is accepted by the nominated date;
• camp fees are arranged with Orienteering NZ by the due date; and
• there are no outstanding ONZ fees from previous trips or camps.

Students who are attending the High Performance Camp are not eligible for Junior Camp. Year 13 students and those who have recently left high school may instead be considered for the High Performance Camp (formerly U23 Camp).

Five days of orienteering, adventure, new friendships and being part of the junior orienteering community will soon be here!

Cost and invoicing

The cost for the Camp has been budgeted based on 100 paying participants attending for a week. Over the last three years the camp has been catered and volunteers have not been responsible for meals – this is the case again this year.  We are still confirming van hire but have estimates for most of the other key costs for the camp.  Until such time as we can confirm all costs, the final cost of the camp cannot be confirmed. As an indicator, the estimated cost per participant is to be advised. ONZ will share the final costs as soon as negotiations are concluded.

Participants will be invoiced after registrations are closed and clubs substantiate applicant information. Registrations will be open for the month of October, those failing to make this deadline will go on a waiting list in the order that their applications have been received. Camp fees will need to be paid by Friday 27 November 2026.

The overall budget for the Junior Camp is in excess of $70,000. Orienteering New Zealand contributes approximately $10,000 towards the camp. Key costs for the camp include accommodation, food, transport, a koha towards travel costs for the volunteer coaches who come from around New Zealand to help with the camp, and a contribution to the host club to help cover expenses incurred from organising and running the camp.  

Although the camp is run by a group of experienced individuals, they are all volunteers and this allows us to keep costs considerably lower than would otherwise be the case.

Parent involvement

The Junior Camp can not take place without parent support. While ONZ works behind the scenes to ensure that the camp has great leadership and trained coaches, we do need the support of parents to ensure that we have effective supervision ratios. We are asking for expressions of interest from any parents interested in attending the camp. Because parent supervision is an essential element of safely running our camp, accommodation and food costs for parents are factored into the camp budget.