Christchurch businessman Malcolm Paynter prayed about getting a camp established in Canterbury. A suitable site was located at Woodend, north of Christchurch and a meeting was called for all interested parties to pass on the vision and register their interest. The response was very good, and a Trust Board was formed. Finances were soon raised and although inconclusive, it appears land for the Woodend Camp was purchased in 1956 or earlier.
The Woodend site was very rough, covered in gorse, broom and sandhills. Before construction commenced, access had to be gained and the site cleared. The area was infested with rabbits and so a rabbit-proof fence was erected around the perimeter. Trees were soon planted and the main complex was built in 1957.
Launching together
Once the land had been purchased, Saturdays became working-bee days, and carloads of men and women from most of the Christchurch brethren assemblies, even from as far away as Glentunnel, joined with many volunteers preparing the block of feral land so a campsite could be built.
Committee members Malcolm Paynter and Peter Partridge built the Flying Fox and were quite chuffed when it was finished. The only thing that needed doing was to test it. Believing it was strong enough to hold them both they launched themselves and quickly discovered they had made the angle of the wire rope too steep.
The caretaker or the tree...
At the pace they were travelling they were going to do some serious damage when they slammed into the tree. Fortunately, the Camp Caretaker had spotted the speedsters and running as fast as his short legs would carry him, was trying to grab the rope to slow their descent. He managed to get the rope just in time to stop the daredevils from a crushing dismount. Needless to say, adjustments were made before the next run.
