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Damas Manderson

USA 1990 was the beginning of my passion into the World of Christian Camping, being a camp counsellor and consequently each summer being trained into different leadership roles for the next 6 years and a total of 20 years became a priority for me as I saw many lives transformed with the good news of Jesus Christ and the importance of walking with Him everyday.

My involvement with Camp Blue Ridge and other Christian camps through USA, developed as I came onto their staff and worked with them through significant change and redevelopment. Becoming a consultant to several sites as they worked through the need and desire to revisit the heart of Christian Camping and look at their unique selling/ministry points through their location, building etc, and always listening to Gods Heart in this .
I married an American Dina and we have two Children , Miles aged 16 and Kennedy Rose who has some exceptionalities to face each day.
Since my return to NZ I have been on the Board of Tui Ridge Park and was interim Director for a season.
Last year I had the privilege of attending JH Ranch in the USA and this reconfirmed to me and reignited the value of Christian Camping, that the principles remain the same internationally , but we deliver this differently according to the culture we live. I believe that we have done 'full circle' and the needs for this Ministry is imperative with and emphasis on the 'whole family' approach and the restoration thereof.
Currently my family and I live in Auckland , and I work in the area of Property & Project Management.
I want to invest in the next generations of New Zealanders , giving them a camping experience that can transform their lives, working with Camps that need support to keep their mission alive and relevant to the needs of today.