Rainbow Family Camp

Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face struggles related to stress, identity, expectations, peer acceptance, and bullying. All kids need a safe space to just be kids, and this is especially true for LGBTQIA+ children and youth.

Ferncliff wants to provide that space. We strive to create an environment where children, youth, and adults alike can develop self-confidence, build community, explore their surroundings, rest and be refreshed, feel a connection to something bigger, embrace creativity, and learn more about themselves.

Rainbow Family Camp is a weekend camp retreat experience specifically geared towards families with LGBTQIA+ children and youth, including those who are gender non-conforming, non-binary, and trans.

Rainbow Family Camp will take place June 21st-23rd, 2024 at Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center.

Register here!

The goals of Rainbow Family Camp are:
1. To provide LGBTQIA+ kids opportunities to meet one another
2. To provide parents of LGBTQIA+ kids a space to meet, chat, share, and connect.
3. Perhaps most importantly, to give kids a fun-filled summer camp weekend where they can be themselves, authentically and openly.

At Rainbow Family Camp, families can experience a summer camp weekend their way, with a flexible schedule of activities available throughout the weekend. This program allows diverse youth who share common experiences to come together to form a community that is truly their own, while adults and siblings can also connect with others facing similar issues. What a gift to be able to surround vulnerable youth with affirming, positive, courageous families!

Who’s invited?
Kids aren’t expected to have their sexualities or gender identities all figured out. We welcome families with children who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ (including gender non-conforming, gender non-binary, or transgender children) as well as any siblings. Activities are generally geared towards children between the ages of 6 and 15.

This camp program is for families; individual adults or unaccompanied minors are not able to register for this program.

What about LGBTQIA+ couples and their children? While this program’s primary audience is families with LGBTQIA+ children, we have availability for these other “rainbow families” as well – the more the merrier! Contact Emily for more information.

Where will families stay?
We have several options available to suit the needs of families of all shapes and sizes!

One option is our hotel-style rooms in Ferncliff’s Brown Center. Each Brown Center hotel room has two beds; both are double beds in most rooms. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower and a desk with a lake view.

Another option is a Belden Pond cabin! Each cabin can sleep 10 people on bunk beds. The bottom five bunks are larger with adult friendly Tempurpedic single mattresses. The cabins are air conditioned, and each cabin has a bathroom with two toilets, two showers, and two sinks. Cabins are connected in pairs with an interior door that can be opened or kept shut.

Finally, you could stay in a yurt! The yurts are Ferncliff’s newest lodging addition! Half-cabin, half-tent, each yurt is air conditioned and can sleep up to 10 people on bunk beds. The bottom five bunks have adult friendly Tempurpedic single mattresses. The four yurts share a large bath house situated between them.

What can families do?
Throughout the weekend, participants will experience a ton of exciting camp activities, including swimming, hiking, archery, sling shots, the Shady Chute slide, disc golf, arts & crafts, service projects, games, Gaga ball, boating, fishing, and more! We are also working on partnering with LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals in our community to include specialty workshops, programming, and access to resources.
The schedule is largely self-directed; families can choose to be as active or relaxed as they want throughout the day.

What about meals?
Delicious meals will be served buffet-style in Ferncliff’s dining hall: dinner Friday, three meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.

Where is Ferncliff located?
Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center is located just 10 miles west of Little Rock. Situated on 1,200 acres of forests and hills, our site has ample opportunities to hike, swim, play, explore, and enjoy recreation.

Is this a religious/Christian retreat?
This camp is open to families of any faith tradition or denomination, including those who have no faith tradition. There will be optional worship opportunities families can choose to attend or not, like any of the programs/activities offered throughout the weekend. Ferncliff itself is a Presbyterian PC(USA) affiliated camp, and it is our understanding of Christ’s teachings to be inclusive, welcoming, and affirming to all, exactly how God created them.

What’s the cost?
Rainbow Family Camp has a tiered pricing system per person; at registration families will opt to choose whatever cost is most comfortable for their family. The experience and amenities are the same regardless of which tier you choose. Families can choose the same or different tiers for each family member.

The cost covers two nights of lodging, six meals, and all activities throughout the weekend.

Participants ages 3 and under can attend for free!

Tier I – $149 per adult; $119 per child
Tier II – $179 per adult; $149 per child
Tier III – $209 per adult; $179 per child

We are working hard to secure scholarship funding for any family that needs financial assistance to attend. Please fill out this form to apply for a scholarship to cover some of the cost of your registration and we will be in touch as soon as we are able. Contact Emily at emily@ferncliff.org for information on available funds or questions.

How do I register?
Upon registration, a $50 deposit is required to hold your spot; the remaining balance can be paid off two weeks prior to the start of camp. Spaces will be limited – register today!