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by @TheParkWife and Amanda Farris
School is out for Summer! If summer camp is on your kids’ list of adventures, we have some camp recommendations in the Natural State they will love.
Growing up, June and July marked the time to scope out all the universities in Arkansas and plan my basketball camp schedule for summer with friends. As I was putting together this list, I couldn’t help but think about all the laughs, late nights, shaving cream fights, friendship bonds, and memories that accompanied church camp, FCA camp, and sports camps. Summer camps made such an impact on my life and it was so much fun that after I was past camp age, I started working summer camps as a counselor or coach through my college years.
Enjoy this list and start packing your bags for Arkansas summer camps.
Featured Summer Camps
Central Arkansas
1.Camp Mitchell
Camp Mitchell, located atop scenic Petit Jean Mountain in central Arkansas, is a ministry of the Episcopal Church in Arkansas. Camp Mitchell provides a sacred place and offer programs that foster formation, recreation, fellowship, and renewal.
10 Camp Mitchell Rd., Morrilton, AR 72110
(501) 727-5451 director@campmitchell.org
Ages: 2nd grade through high school senior, various additional camps such as family camp, camp for children with disabilites, and more
Cost: $400 for weeklong camp
Click here for their summer camp schedule
2.Ferncliff
1720 Ferncliff Road, Little Rock
(501) 821-3063 | info@ferncliff.org
Dates: Memorial Day Family Camp May 22-24; June 8-July 31
Ages: Grades 1-12; Memorial Day Family Camp all ages
Cost: $70-$600
Choose from about 20 themed overnight camps where kids can have fun and grow their faith. Activities include hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, large group games, crafts, large group worship, small group Bible study, games, campfires and special events.
3.Camp Aldersgate
2000 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock
(501) 225-1444 |amiller@campaldersgate.net
Dates: June 7-July 31; visit the website or call for specific camps and dates
Ages: Varies by camp
Cost: Varies by camp; Tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities are available.
Camp Aldersgate’s summer medical camps provide a traditional, weeklong residential camp experience for children challenged by medical conditions or disabilities. The seven-week season consists of five “MedCamp” sessions dedicated to children with specific conditions or disabilities, as well as two “Kota Camp” sessions that provide an inclusive camping environment for children with and without disabilities. The program is designed to increase campers’ self-esteem by creating opportunities for them to meet personal challenges. Participation in personal hygiene and housekeeping chores encourage campers’ responsibility and independence. They learn to work in harmony with others, broaden skills and interests, as well as develop initiative and resourcefulness.
4.Camp Solgohachia
4 Ozark Mountain Road, Solgohachia
(501) 354-3959
Dates: June 15-19, July 13-17
Ages: Rising grades 4-9
Cost: $380 per camper
This Christian camp offers worship along with an active week full of traditional camping activities including kayaking, crafts, hiking, archery, zip-lines and more. The camp takes place at the Ozark Conference Center.
5.Camp Tahkodah
5095 Camp Tahkodah Road, Floral, AR 72534
(501) 279-4226
Dates: June 7 – July 31
Cost: $240 for 1 week camp; $420 for 2 week camp
Camp Tahkodah is about faith, fun and friendship. It is a place to be outdoors and enjoy nature … a place to learn and grow with people who love the Lord and are living daily for Him … a place to make new friends and have lots of fun. The 1,350-acre camp is owned and operated by Harding University. Its location in the Ozark Mountains provides beautiful bluffs, quiet valleys, a spring-fed creek and wooded hiking trails. Campers enjoy daily outdoor Bible classes, horseback riding, swimming, softball, basketball, ping pong, tennis, hayrides, archery, volleyball, crafts, canoeing, fishing, picnics, hikes, Bible bees, talent nights, hymn sings and inspirational devotionals under the stars.
6.Camp Winnamocka
68 Fort Jackson Rd, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Dates: June 7 – August 1
Here’s your chance to experience the magic that only comes with childhood. Come ride the African Queen that makes a stop at a real Jungle Hut and passes under a Swinging Bridge! Learn to canoe around the Blue Lagoon. Attack a group of Pioneers (or are they really fellow campers) as they defend Fort Crown Point. It’s up to you to make your own ammunition and wooden guns.
Of course, you’ll enjoy the quest for buried treasure on treasure hunts. Memories will be made as you go boating and tubing on Lake DeGray, feel the summer breeze as you bounce off the Blob into Lake Adirondack, or cool off in the Tropical Pool. You’ll love to make crafts or tie-dyed t-shirts, or you can karaoke and boogie or visit with new found friends at theme dances. Treasure
Turn your imagination into reality, your adventures into self-confidence and your summer into a special time of Magic, Friendship, and Fun that will remain a part of you for a lifetime.
Southwest Arkansas
1.Fellowship of Christian Athletes State Camp
Lonsdale, AR
Arkansas FCA State Camp is specifically designed to allow student athletes to train for leadership, improve athletically, connect relationally, and encounter Jesus Christ powerfully.They invite top-notch coaches, as well as, FCA Staff who instruct the students during the week and college athletes that serve & lead our students as Huddle Leaders (small group staffers).
2. Camp Brookhill
Hot Springs, AR
Brookhill Ranch Christian Summer Camp was established with the purpose of reaching out to every young person with unconditional love, helping each one to realize his or her own intrinsic worth. There are several activities to enjoy at this camp such as swimming, horseback riding, go carts, cheerleading, sports, archery, fishing, drama and much more!
3. Southern Arkansas University
Magnolia, AR
Engineering Camp
Game Development
Band
Drumline
Mulerider Athletic Camps – Softball, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Volleyball
4. Halberg Ecology Camp (Audoban Camp)
Camp Clearfork
The Arkansas Audubon Society Halberg Ecology Camp is held each June at Camp Clearfork, a U.S. Forest Service camp between Hot Springs and Mt. Ida.
The Society sponsors an annual summer ecology camp—two junior camps for 11 and 12 year-olds, two concurrent senior camps for students selected from the previous year’s junior camps, and an advanced camp for students selected from previous senior camps. The week-long camps feature studies in various areas of natural history under the guidance of the superb staff.
Northeast Arkansas
1. Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
CLICK HERE to check out the list of camps that ASU is offering! They are offering over 60 camps! Here are just a few on the list.
Harry Potter at Hogwarts (3rd-8th grade)
Passport to Fun (3rd-8th grade)
Photo Safari (3rd-8th grade)
Fancy Nancy Goes to Camp (Prek-3rd grade)
Technology Whiz Kid (1st-7th grade)
Super Hero Training (Prek-3rd grade)
Oh the Places you will Go (Prek-5th grade)
Twirling Camp (K-8th grade)
Fun Fitness (5th-9th grade)
Choir
Math
CSI
AND MANY MORE!
ASU JONESBORO ATHLETIC CAMPS
Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Baseball
Northwest Arkansas
1. Crystal Bridges Museum of Art
All children are artists on the inside. Crystal Bridges Summer Camps will encourage those creative instincts to shine! All materials, plus healthy snacks, are included. There are several camps to choose from such as:
Art and Nature
Painting
Mixed Media
Movie Making
Drawing
and much more.
2. Camp War Eagle
Northwest Arkansas Area
Camp War Eagle is a Christian, sports, adventure and recreation summer camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 17 from Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties in northwest Arkansas.
If you live in Northwest Arkansas check out this summer camp list from NWA Motherlode. There are lots of fun things going on for kids!
Southeast Arkansas
1. Bar J Ranch
Calion, AR
If your child likes horses, they will LOVE a week at the Bar J Ranch summer horse camp! Bar J Ranch is a hidden jewel in the Ouachita River Valley, offers the finest horseback riding in South Arkansas!
Did you attend any of these camps? Which one?
What camps would you add to this list?
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