Makarau Scout Camp is a back-to-basics camp at 290 Makarau Road in Makarau, in the Rodney district, about 50 minutes north-west of central Auckland. It is run by the Kaukapakapa Scout Group, and Scouts New Zealand has owned the site since 1961. It suits Keas, Cubs, Scouts, school groups and family retreats, and it hosts Scout groups from across Auckland, other group activities and the Rodney Coast Challenge fundraiser. The buildings include a dining hall, a kitchen and a covered veranda. There are two sleeping rooms, one for boys and one for girls, with room for about 10 to 14 children on mats in one and about 10 in the other. The campsite has fire pits, and it has no showers and no bunk room for leaders. There are composting toilets.
Visitors describe a basic camp that works well for small groups, with buildings that give a good back-up in bad weather and are useful for teaching. The bottom field holds about 30 Scouts with leaders, and the top field has room for parking or tents. One group says the fires and simple camp life are why they keep coming back, and that the fire cooking was a highlight of their weekend. A town visitor warned that the facilities are very basic. For a Scout group that wants a simple camp with fires, it is our pick in Makarau.