Life on the Base
IntroductionTop ↑
There are usually anywhere from 60 to 120 people of all age groups, from all over the world living on the base. The base is run very efficiently with fixed schedule for duties and mealtimes. Part of the experience living in a YWAM community is in the sharing of the everyday running and maintenance of the base.
Everyone is a volunteer on the base, from the receptionist and accountant to the base director or school leader – everyone plays a part in the day to day operations and maintenance (chopping firewood, food prep, cooking, cleaning, mowing the lawn, washing and vacuuming etc) of the base. (Read YWAM’s policy on work duty.) Birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated frequently during mealtimes with songs, colorful candles and birthday cakes.
Many have found the colorful dynamics between youths, families and children from many different cultures from all over the world living together on the base to be very heart warming and an experience of a lifetime.
Snippets of daily lifeTop ↑
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AccomodationTop ↑
Students live in motel style units on the base. Married couples and families have their own individual units, single people may have to share with one other person. The units are basic, but comfortable and consist of a bathroom, a mini kitchenette and small seating/eating area. Families with children tend to be given a two room unit where the children sleep in the bedroom and the parents sleep in the main living area. Rooms are subject to availability, so occasionally a couple with a young child may be allocated a one room unit. Families with younger children or babies tend to be placed in accommodation close to the classroom and the main meeting/dining room. Private baby monitors can therefore be used if babies have naps during the day and parents are in lectures/ evening meetings. There is no central heating in the units, but a small fan heater is provided and adequate bedding for the colder months.
Here are some pictures of the inside of a typical 2 room unit:-
FoodTop ↑
There are no cooking facilities in the units, apart from a microwave and toaster. There is a sink and small fridge. All utensils are provided for students to have breakfast in their units, so can families can be together each morning until lectures start. All other meals are served in the main dining room where students, children and staff eat together. All meals are included in the accommodation fees. Students will need to purchase their own snacks if required. Food is varied with a light lunch and more substantial dinner. Breakfast cereals, bread, milk and refreshments are available in the units.
ShoppingTop ↑
Matamata Town Centre is situated about 7km from the base. There are two supermarkets (Countdown and New World), cafes, bookshops, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies and departmental stores (Posties, Warehouse, Farmers) as well as a library, swimming pool and playground. There is a weekly minibus run on a Friday into town for those students who do not have their own transport.
SightseeingTop ↑
Matamata is about 2 hours by car south of Auckland. The cities of Hamilton (Zoo, Hamilton Gardens and other attractions), Rotorua (Thermal area) and Tauranga (good swimming and surfing beaches) are each about an hour’s drive from Crystal Springs.
Matamata is also known as Hobbiton. For ‘Lord of the rings’ fans, no distance needs to be travelled, for Matamata was in fact where the hobbits ‘shire’ was filmed for the trilogy! Tours are available from the information centre in town to take people round what remains of the movie set.
We can assist students and volunteers with some sightseeing information. There is also an i-Site (Tourist Information Center) in Matamata Town Centre.
Rental vehicles are available in Matamata Town Center. Many students choose to purchase their own second hand car whilst they are here. The best place to buy one from is the car places in Auckland.
It is illegal for children under the age of to travel in a car without a car/ booster seat. (Please visit this site for more details.) These can be hired at Plunket NZ . There are also a few baby seats available on the base for occasional use depending on availability.
The campus is in a beautiful rural setting with the Kaimai Ranges as a backdrop and the picturesque Waihou River runs alongside the base. Opal Hot Springs (swimming) are in walking distance across the river from us. In fact we are very central to many lovely spots and tourist destinations. There are also lots of adventure type opportunities nearby, eg. hiking, bungi, boating etc.
WeatherTop ↑
The weather is reasonably temperate all year round, but can be very changeable even day to day.
Summer (Nov. – March) temperatures range from 20 – 30 degrees C (68 – 86 F) and winter (May – August) temperatures range from -1 – +15 degrees C (30 – 60 F).
We do usually have to be prepared with a cardigan or jacket most of the time except in mid-summer.
Other useful informationTop ↑
- There is a playground on site and a sports field.
- Car parking is available on site for those who own their own car.
- There is a small computer room with computers with internet access or wireless is available in the units, so students can bring their own laptops. Internet access can be purchased from the site reception. You pay per megabyte you use, so skyping and downloading can be expensive, but basic emailing is fine.
- There are several pay phones on site and cheap international phone cards can also be purchased from reception
- All bed linen and towels are provided.
- Cleaning products and a hoover are provided for students to keep their own units clean.
- Coin washing machines & dryers, as well as washing lines and irons are available.
Typical schedule on a school dayTop ↑
- 5 am: Optional prayer time
- Before 9am: Breakfast in units
- 9.00-10.00: Worship or intercession. Some days children are involved, on the days they are not crèche/home school will be available.
- 10.00 – 12.45: Morning lectures (crèche/home school programme run at the same time)
- 12.45 - 14.00: Lunch time together
- 14.00 – 15.15: Varied afternoon activities, including one on ones, small groups, outreach preparation, base maintenance.
- 15.15: Parents pick up children from home school/ crèche
- 15.30 – 17.30: Free time or work duties
- 17.30 – Dinner together
- Evenings: Optional community meeting every Tuesday. There may be occasional evening meetings or socials organised for other evenings in the week.
- Friday afternoons and weekends are free, but there may be occasional work duties during these times.