Summer begins at Maranatha

Summer begins and the storms arrive. The Bangalows are in fruit and the birds are loving it.

If you've stayed at Maranatha then you've met our Kookaburra. He will fight you for your breakfast, or take on a giant moth. No fear.

The old hall "Birra-Wa" is getting a new look. Hardwood timbers, soft colours, and fire engine red for the doors, fire hose and bell.

Here and there take the time to notice the details.

Bai Rui  - Tae Kwon Do are our last big job for the year.

160 fighters, no trouble.

 We are looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.

 Thanks to all our visitors throughout the year, from the staff at Maranatha Recreation camp.

Meet the team - part one

Local boy, Michael Vermeulen is one of the old crew. He started at Maranatha straight after leaving school, and apart from a stint at Uni has been here ever since. Michael heads up the instructor team and we are delighted to have him on full time in 2012.
Adored by kids for his sense of fun and respected by the team for his experience. Also known as Micka.

Yandina girl, Michelle Finnigan another of the same vintage, returned from motherhood and back on activities.

We love having Michy back and so do the kids.

New guy Nick Barnes has been around the camps in the capacity of programs manager for many years and more recently at Maranatha we have grown to depend on his solid performance in all the technical ropes positions.

Great to have you Barnesy, hang around.

We love winter at Maranatha

Summer is great. There's the pool and the river. But winter days are so perfect. I won't lie, it's cold at night but the days are warm and clear. Coffee in the morning sun, hot chocolate by the campfire at night.    

 We still get consistently high praise for the menu and service.

The winter maintenance projects continue. This year we are embracing the old.
Birra-wa hall was built sometime in the 1950's and the latest renovations reveal layers of history.

 The new landing on the hall uses recycled Australian hardwood with beautifully worked detail and the original steel handrails.

The Ping Pong tables get a new look.
Ping Pong endures as a favorite of kids even in the electronic entertainment age.
It's hard to imagine how many thousands of kids have played on these tables.

The kitchen gets more and more fabulous all the time. New equipment, new styling.

The old kitchen door gets a treatment - stripped back, painted, printed, lacquered.

 

The rain earlier in the year has given such a boost to the greenery. everywhere there is new growth.

 

Office makeover 2010

Out with the clutter.
The overhaul is more than skin deep.
We have rewritten all of our risk assesments, proceedures, food safety program, human resources files, in fact almost every aspect of the office has been modernised, to cope with our bussiest year ever, coming up in 2011.
Thanks to Sandra's vision, and all the staff for a huge effort.

New poolside cafe at Maranatha

We have created a new outdoor area over looking the pool.

Our favourite new shadey area for a coffee at breakfast time, while the kids do the cleaning up inside, or a cool place for dinner on a hot night. You are invited.

Bridge building sessions

In response to a request for a knots and rigging session, we designed the bridge building activity.

Students are taught square and diagonal  lashing, hitches and tensioning techniques to construct their own Burma Bridge. 

There is enough tying and rigging to keep everyone engaged, and the outcome is something to be proud of.

How to recognise good climbing gear when you see it.

 Click on the photo to enlarge

We know for a fact that some school camp operators are using gear that is waaaay too old.

Here's some tips on making a judgement for yourself:

Helmets: A good helmet looks good. If the clips at the back are threaded ring style, its way too old. If the straps are deformed and deteriorated along the edge its too old. If they are a wild mixture of different brands, styles and colours, beware.

Maranatha use new Edelrid Ultralite helmets U.I.A.A. approved.

Carabiners: Maranatha use all "keylock" gates. That's a system where the gate keys together with the body in a way that prevents snagging. All Kong carabiners have this and since Kongs' patent on the system ran out, newer carabiners of other brands also have it.

Notice the 4 bands of knurling on the gates. That signifies it is the newest version. 3 bands for the previous model. The screwgate carabiners pictured are Stainless Steel, more expensive but a joy to use.

Harnessess: It is vital to use good harnesses. Maranatha use "Vertical" brand "Gym" harnesses. We have 150 of them in service. Notice that they have a new shiney appearance. That's cause they're new. Look for the date of manufacture on the belt. If it is not there, be suspicious.

Ropes: We buy it by the 200M roll, Sterling brand from the USA, we give it light use then we throw it out.

If ropes look furry, faded or un-even be suspicious.

K2 Base Camp in Wickham St. Fortitude Valley is the exclusive supplier of climbing gear to Maranatha.