Margaret Seaton says the atmosphere at the Danseys Pass Holiday Park has not changed since she first stayed at the camp more than 40 years ago.
Mrs Seaton, who is in her 60s and lives in Christchurch, has stayed at the camp on and off - but mostly on - for 44 years, having first gone to the camp to visit her sister-in-law.
She found it so friendly and relaxed she kept coming back.
The atmosphere might not have changed but plenty of other things have.
She could recall the coal range in the kitchen, which the campers all stoked, lights out at 10pm because the power was generated, a washing line strung up in the kitchen.
There was also the "south side versus north side" water polo match, which was "no holds barred", with a toilet seat trophy for the victor.
It was an ideal place to bring a young family because everyone kept an eye on each other's children, she said.
While Mrs Seaton originally camped under canvas, she and her husband Paul were now staying in a caravan, where she whipped up such delights as gooseberry and blackcurrant pies, and batches of scones.
The Seatons were camping beside two North Otago couples, David and Anne Ludemann and Greg and Jan McCone, and the group had a lot of fun together.
"It's a unique country camp. You could travel 400 miles to get to somewhere like this . . . it's an incredible place," Mrs Ludeman said.
