A visit to the Dannevirke Fantasy Cave was a different kind of magic for 119 Camp Quality children on Sunday.
The children and their caregivers and nurses made a tour of the Fantasy Cave on their way home from their Harry Potter-themed summer camp in Hastings.
And while their time in Hastings was taken up with magic, wizardry and excitement, all 119 thoroughly enjoyed their time at the cave too, Cave Dweller Malcolm Peffers said. "It was pretty full-on, with the arrival of all three bus loads, eager for food and a tour of the cave. But with the help of Dannevirke Lions members, we made sure everyone had a great time."
Yvonne Popow and her team of helpers turned the upstairs floor of the Fantasy Cave building into a fast-food diner, with appetising hamburgers and fruit dished up for all the visitors before they toured the cave.
After lunch, everyone moved fairly quickly through the cave and it was action stations for Cave Dwellers as they marshalled the excited visitors through the magical fairyland.
"It was the first time at the Fantasy Cave for all the visitors and, although they were moving at a fast pace, everyone had a wonderful time," Mr Peffers said. "The feedback we had was that it was magical and thoroughly wonderful."
And the smiles of the children enjoying their Fantasy Cave visit said it all. It was an exciting final chapter to the Harry Potter adventure, which had begun at the Woodville branch of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, before they boarded the Hogwort's Express, destination Hastings, where they delved into potions, troll discipline, broomstick riding, and care of magical creatures and herbology.
Camp Quality children will return to the Fantasy Cave again next year, says Dannevirke Lions president George Popow.
"They were absolutely rapt with their experience. It's a chance for Lions here in Dannevirke to do their part for the children too."