About Us
…it all began back in 1966
Gifted by the Strawbridge family
In 1966 the Strawbridge family of Nelson gifted three hectares of land at the head of the Kaiteriteri Inlet to the Church of Christ in Nelson for the benefit of youth and the community in the Nelson region, providing a welcoming, wholesome environment for people to be restored, families strengthened and communities connected.
Bethany Park is under the thoughtful and prayerful administration of the Bethany Park Trust Board, made up of eight members of the community with strong guidance and input from the Camp Manager, Roger Armstrong. In 1986 the Trust Board had the opportunity to purchase the Holiday Park along the road, some 30 hectares, which now makes the Bethany Park Holiday Park and Camp.
Over the years there have been many friends of Bethany Park who have volunteered their time and skills to build and develop the land and buildings. More recently full time managers and an expanding team are leading and spearheading the extraordinary growth which is presently taking place.
Passion & Celebration
Continuing the vision of Bethany Park
Since coming to Bethany Park in 2012 as full time managers, Roger and Sue Armstrong, have taken the vision and given it legs! There has been careful and considered expansion resulting in an ever increasing number of families camping over summer and NZMCA members wintering over winter.
Roger and Sue are passionate about our Bethany Park team and there is a core of nine staff all year, with the team growing to around 20 through the summer months. We care about the people coming to us and work hard to make sure each family, individual, international traveller and permanent winter over couple, are looked after and made to feel welcome in this little piece of paradise.
In 2016 we remembered and celebrated fifty years since the gifting and establishment of the original Bethany Park property, now affectionately known as ’Camp One’. The generous and visionary legacy of land which the Strawbridge family gifted to the local community, now includes New Zealand and beyond.
Community focus
Mr Strawbridge created something amazing
In particular, we give thanks to Mr Douglas Strawbridge, his keen interest in the welfare of young people was certainly shown when he donated the property at Kaiteriteri for the establishment of a permanent camp, now known as Bethany Park.
Mr Strawbridge was a former mayor of Nelson, from 1962 to 1968. A builder by trade, he became very involved in community leadership over the years. Church work occupied a considerable share of his time. In 1945 he was part donor of a commanding site at Annesbrook for a new church, undertaking the oversight of working bees to erect the present Church of Christ building there.
On behalf of every family, traveller, youth group, school and church group we honour the generosity and legacy which Mr Douglas Strawbridge has bestowed upon us.