School holiday programme a big hit

The July holiday programme run by the Taupo Events Centre was a hive of activity these school holidays.

The programme, which was based at the Taupo Events Centre, played host to more than 50 children a day. A full range of activities were on offer including indoor stadium games, rock-climbing, baking, arts & crafts, team building games, and even screen printing T-shirts. The programme involved organised trips to a wide range of other Taupo venues including visits to the Library, Museum, Town Centre Park, rock-climbing wall, and swimming at the AC Baths. It also incorporated adventure recreation activities with other local providers such as the Lilliput Farm, Rock 'n Ropes, Huka Prawn Park, Tauhara Gym Club, and Volcanic Centre. But the highlight for most kids was a trip to Whakapapa ski field where they were given an opportunity to experience the snow-skiing with a ski or snowboard lesson.

Taupo Events Centre has been running a school holiday programme for a number of years, before becoming an OSCAR approved programme in 2007. The programme is one of the most affordable and accessible programmes in the district catering to a wider part of the community while still providing quality care. Support from WINZ is available for parents & caregivers that qualify. Taupo Events Centre Manager Julie Waitai says "We are very proud of our programme staff for another successful programme, the children really enjoyed the opportunities and variety the programme offered and we look forward to seeing the children in the next holidays".

The programme has been so popular recently that the Taupo Events Centre has had waiting lists for certain activities and days. The Taupo Events Centre also runs an after school programme, which is also experiencing high demand.

Due to the increased demand the Taupo Events Centre is planning to expand the programme in the future, enabling more kids to come along and be a part of the fun. The programme gives the children the opportunity to develop, learn, grow and have fun through participation in a wide range of exciting activities. The Taupo Events Centre is proud to offer an approved programme which is safe and welcoming for parents to be able to leave their children in the care of its trained staff.

If you would like to know more about the school holiday programmes, or after school care, please contact the Taupo Events Centre on 07 376 0350.