The 140ha camp, located 11km north of Waimate, is holding a car boot sale in an effort to raise funds to buy a portable automated external defibrillator (AED).
Camp owner Stephen Dobson said he felt there was a need to act after a close friend suffered a cardiac arrest while on a school camp with his son.
"[He] went into cardiac arrest for around 15 minutes, while some fast-acting colleges were able to retrieve a remotely located AED from the Woodbury church and resuscitate him."
He said they did not want a repeat of this situation, when time was of the essence.
"Because of the numbers of people living in the district visiting the camp or enjoying the nearby Department of Conservation recreational land and walking track, we decided to raise funds for a public access AED to be located at Gunns Bush Camp.
"For the benefit of people living in or visiting the district."
The nearest available AED is located in the Waimate township, meaning it would be a 22km round trip if one was needed at the camp.
"A lot of families are a bit strapped for cash and most people have got a car boot load of stuff they could sell if they wanted to.
"We will just take $10 off them for a stall on site and that will go towards the AED and they can keep any profits they make.
"It’s also a great way to have people come out here and see how beautiful it is at Gunns Bush."
He said it was a three-pronged approach.
"We’re happy to host it and hopefully we will be able to raise about $1000 and then put the rest of it in because the AED will probably be about $2500.
"We will also rattle some buckets on the day and if people feel inclined to donate further they can."
Mr Dobson said the camp usually sees about 6000 bed nights per year and caters for the like of school camps, weddings, family gatherings and church groups.
There would be room for up to 100 stall holders, he said.
"There’s expansive lawn areas around the camp that we will set up as much or as little as we need to and there’s a large hall area as well for people that want to be out of the sun, or whatever is happening on the day.
"We’d love to see as many locals as possible turn some of their stuff into cash and have a good day out.
"We’re just happy for people to turn up on the day and pay for their stall then.
"So far we’ve had interest from mainly craft and food vendors.
"It would be great to have people just bring and sell some general household goods as well."
The car boot sale is scheduled to take place at the camp on Sunday May 18 from 10am-2pm.
