Testimonials | Lakewood Lodge

WHAT THEY

SAY ABOUT US



“Kia ora Jeff and all the team at Lakewood Lodge, We just wanted to send an email to say a huge thank you for the great time both Niwa and Awatea had this week! They thoroughly enjoyed their time and spoke very highly of all experiences. They have both come home seeming more mature, even amongst all the excited chatter telling us about the week 😂 Both are super keen to come back again and we are hopeful we can make that happen again!


JANUARY 2023

LEE-DAVID



“I just wanted to let you and the team know that Hartlyn, Emma and Jesse had such a great time at camp this past week. Thank you so much for the awesome experiences and adventures that I know they will treasure for a life time.”


JANUARY 2023

JODI



“I hope everybody at Lakewood Lodge is in good health and enjoying themselves. Nimrit certainly had a fabulous time when she stayed there in the first week of school hols. I was a little concerned as this was her first time away from home but I don’t think she had any trouble settling in.


JULY 2020

SIMRAN & RUPINDER



“I wanted to say a huge thank you to you guys. My daughter Sophie just returned from your 4 night holiday camp stay. She was so excited and had the best time!. Met many friends and enjoyed you sumptuous 7 meals a day 🙂 She’s never eaten so much! Really appreciated the early bird special you gave me with my last minute booking. Very friendly and accommodating chat with Jeff and of course the lovely Anja. I’d love it if you put this on your reviews. Amazing!!! ”


JULY 2020

KAREN



“Just wanted to say a massive thanks to all your staff for an amazing week my boys had!
They are fizzing and didn’t want to come home 🤣.”


JULY 2020

MELISSA C



“Our school had the privilege of attending Lakewood Lodge during a very trying time for our families and community. We were very impressed with the camp staff and the communication we received right up until the morning that we arrived at camp. The camp manager and staff were very reassuring at a time where parents and students were very apprehensive about our camp going ahead.


MARCH 2020

ADAM TAMARIKI

Head Teacher
Mission Heights Primary School


“I’m an agent in Tahiti, French Polynesia. I’ve been sending groups of students to Lakewood Lodge twice, or even three times a year, for the past 20 years. I send my students from ages 7yrs – 17yrs to learn English and experience a real Kiwi culture.


JANUARY 2020

MARY

Tahiti Group Director
Academy of English


“We had a wonderful time at Lakewood Lodge. The food was very yummy and plenty of it. The Lodge was exceptionally clean, and the staff kept everything spotless. I loved all the activities specially the Flying Fox and the Horse games.”


JANUARY 2020

Y ASAI



“Dear staff, I would like to thank you for having us at Lakewood Lodge last week. I had an amazing week. My favourite activity was the climbing wall because it was a really hard thing to do and when you got to halfway it got a little scary. Some people made it to the top and rang the bell. I really loved your food and it was really yummy in my tummy. Thank you again for having us.”


SEPTEMBER 2019

ALAMEIN



“Hi Everyone, I would like to thank you for having me and my class at Lakewood Lodge last week. I had the best time I could ever have! My favourite activity was archery because I have a bow and arrow at my Dad’s house. I got 74 points and I tied with Mr Boddy. I came second best in the class. The food was better than school. I loved the Burma trail and the climbing wall is the biggest wall I have ever seen but I made it to the top. The staff were amazing. If I could stay there I would. Thanks for having me.”


SEPTEMBER 2019

JAMES



“Awesome staff at Lakewood Lodge. Everyone is friendly and helpful. The instructors are incredibly good at what they do and with the students. You know when the staff have done a job well done when the kids remember their names!! Well done Lakewood staff.”


MAY 2019

PARENT HELPERS



“All activities were age appropriate. Great staff. They were all very positive and took a genuine interest in the students. Lots of energy, enthusiasm, and compassion.”


FEBRUARY 2019

MIKE A



“Hi I just want to express my huge thanks and congratulations to everyone at Lakewood Lodge! My daughter Ashley, spent week 2 of the school holidays at camp, and hasn’t stopped talking about it since she got home. She made some amazing friends, both kids and staff, you guys made it feel like a home away from home for her. You guys rock! I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again. Thanks again.”


OCTOBER 2018

GAIL

Very grateful mum


“Great accommodation!! Ka Rawe Awesome Thank you!”


SEPTEMBER 2018

GARETH



“I just want to pass on a huge thank you to you and the staff at Lakewood Lodge.
From the moment I went to collect the children, I was greeted with absolutely buzzing children, excited about the week that has been. The staff members were enthusiastic, and seemed connected to the children.


JULY 2018

KATE S



“Hi Jeff and the wonderful Lakewood team. Thank you all for looking after my granddaughter Indiana (Indy) last week. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would come back again.”


JULY 2018

SHERYL



“Hi there, I just wanted to let you know that Ostara had the time of her life during her stay with you. Thank you very much she is still talking about all the things she did. We will definitely be wanting to do this again for her. The only thing that might need some attention was the showers, apparently they weren’t working properly, but on the other hand this could be an excuse for not washing properly! You know teenagers!
‘Once again thank you so much for looking after my daughter and hope to see you again in the near future.”


JULY 2018

ANNABELLE



“My child came back from camp and absolutely loved it. The lodge was cosy and warm with a big fire! She tried new activities and made new friends.”


MAY 2018

SHELLEY



“I’m one of the teachers that attended camp last week. I’ve been in the game for 20 years and wanted to let you know that this is the best camp I have ever been on 😀😀

Tania was an excellent operations manager and set the tone with her induction speech, the activities were well run, the site is beautiful and well maintained and the aspect that stood out the most for me was your hardworking and positive staff. This freed us up to interact with our students.

Thanks so much.”


MAY 2018

MARIA S



“Flying fox, kayaking, horse games, low ropes, archery, Burma trail spotlight and frisbee golf were all awesome and all went at the groups pace. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time participating. Accommodation was all clean and tidy and comfortable. The food was above expectations! The staff are lots of fun very friendly and engaging. Lakewood Lodge has the right health and safety priorities for their activities and for the Lodge in general. Keep up the good work! See you again next year.”


APRIL 2018

MIKE B



“All your activities were awesome. Meals were great! I am in the H& S industry so have observed the Lodge and your team is just brilliant in this regard. BTW Your staff are amazing, especially Anita, Matt, Harry and Kat. Really an asset to your business. Taylor was also an amazing Survival instructor. You have an excellent facility overall. Keep up the great work.”


MARCH 2018

ANDRE N



“Our students loved camp and it has been an incredibly positive experience. Thank you.”


MARCH 2018

TRACY P



“Amazing children loved everyone and were so happy at all the different choices. Because of the variety it meant all students had a chance to shine.”


NOVEMBER 2017

KW



“A great range of activities. Loved survival and the mud run and emergency scenario was fantastic. All activities provided were of a good level of challenge and very well run. The food was great, a good amount of food available. More bowls would help to make serving easier as we ran out each time. Thank you for allowing access to the kitchen. The cooked breakfast for the adults was a great treat. Thank you for so many amazing memories. Our children were able to be themselves and enjoy their experience thanks to your wonderful, friendly, and supportive staff.”


NOVEMBER 2017

MELISSA



My first comment would be: Thank you for organising a wonderful camp. Fantastic operation. Loved it!! Well done awesome team there.”


NOVEMBER 2017


“All activities where very enjoyable to so. The kids had an awesome time and each instructor was very clear and professional about their health and safety which is important for each child. Above all an awesome effort from each staff member at Lakewood Lodge.”


OCTOBER 2017

T MEAS



“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for an awesome week. As a parent I can tell that it is great value for money. It provides kids with unforgettable experiences, encourages them out of their comfort zones and teaches them important skills whilst being lots of fun. Thank you so much.”


AUGUST 2017


“Survival was so much fun- all the kids and parents had such a great time!”


MAY 2017

WP



“So much fun! What a fantastic experience for the kids and great fun for the adults as well. Instructors were very safety conscious and made it fun and encouraged everyone to try everything. The night activities were a great challenge for the kids, and it was fantastic to see them get through it and challenge themselves!”


MARCH 2017

TEACHER IN CHARGE



“Activities were awesome. Very enjoyable and gave the kids lots of experiences they would normally not have. The rooms are comfortable and clean. The food was good and tasty and prepared for the needs of the kids. No problems with dietary requirements. Staff were very impressive. Great with the kids and the parents. Patient, fun, friendly and well trained.”


MARCH 2017

JOHN B



“Hi, Michael has been telling me about the great time he had on your camp, he has made memories that he will cherish for decades, as I have from when I went to camp at intermediate 40 years ago. I wish I was there with him to enjoy all the banter and fun. Great work from a great team of people, and thanks for giving my son such great, safe experience. Thanks & take care.”


NOVEMBER 2016

TONY B