What is Camp in a Box? (Sold Out for 2020!)
Camp in a Box brings the fun of a camp or VBS program to your doorstep! Camp in a Box provides fun, meaningful activities for kids as an alternative to face-to-face summer programming. Recognizing the limitations of this platform, this program is not meant to be seen as a full Camp-2-You, Vacation Bible School, or Ferncliff Camp experience, but rather an alternative option during a time in which people cannot come together physically.
Camp in a Box is designed with the elementary camper in mind, grades K-5th or 6th. Each box provides 5 days’ worth of activities that are screen-free, encourage outdoor activity, and minimize demands on parents.
Each day has a scripture and theme and all activities tie into that day’s theme. The Camp in a Box curriculum is Deep Roots, New Leaves. In their weeklong experience, campers will discover that God is always doing a new thing. While God offers stability and safety, like a tree’s deep roots, God is also working for good in each new moment, like a tree sprouting new leaves.
This program is endorsed and supported by: Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, Gilmont Camp and Conference Center, Camp Hopewell, The Presbytery of Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery, Grace Presbytery and The Presbytery of the Pines.
What’s in the box?
The 12 x 12 x 6 box includes 5 days of activities/lessons/supplies.
Each day includes:
- A daily guide with Scripture, reflection questions, a prayer, and several activities that relate to that day’s theme.
Click Here to View a Sample
- A focus object related to the day’s theme.
- One Square Yard: an activity that encourages kids to get outside and observe something new every day.
- A weeklong project that kids can work on each day.
- Family Challenge: activities, table talk questions, and a mealtime prayer that kids can do with their parents and siblings.
- Instructions and supplies needed to complete every activity
Does it require the internet?
We know that not all campers have consistent access to the Internet, and that time away from screens is more important than ever. Camp in a Box is designed to provide a fun and engaging experience without any Internet-based resources. However, Ferncliff is working on the best way to offer additional virtual, online content that can be accessed in addition to the Camp in a Box experience for person-to-person connection.
How much does it cost?
Recognizing that organizations have varying financial resources, Ferncliff has instituted a voluntary three-tier fee program. Your organization may choose the tier that is most suitable for you. All ‘Camp in a Box’ kits will include the same contents no matter what tier you choose and the $7 cost of shipping and handling will remain the same regardless of the chosen tier. Shipping costs could increase for locations over 350 miles away from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Tier I is a subsidized rate that does not reflect the full cost of the camp in a box
Tier II is a partially subsidized rate for those who choose to pay a little more
Tier III more closely reflects the actual cost of the camp in a box, including staffing and production.
The cost of this program helps sustain the ministries of Ferncliff, including our 2020 Summer Jubilee staff community.
*In order to make these boxes available to congregations that may have limited resources the committee of the Prairie Valley Legacy Fund has made scholarship funds available. If you are from Grace Presbytery in Texas and would like to request scholarship funds to help offset the cost of the boxes, you may indicate what dollar amount of scholarship funds you are requesting in the application.
I’m in! How do I sign up?
We are not currently taking orders as we have SOLD OUT for 2020.
Orders are taken on an easy application form, where you can provide us with information about the boxes you’d like to receive. Once we receive your form, we will be in touch with more information about your box order, shipping, and payment.
Camp in a Box Collaborators:
More Frequently Asked Questions
We’re not part of a church. Can I order a box individually for my child?
Yes, you can! Currently we are focusing on serving churches and congregations, but we are happy to send kits to individuals. Just fill out the application form. Once we get our initial bulk orders in, we hope to make this resource available to anyone within Arkansas or the surrounding states. You might just check with your church first to see if they were planning on ordering them.
Our church isn’t Presbyterian. Can we still order boxes?
Of course! Ferncliff serves campers from many different denominations, including some who do not have a faith tradition. This resource is intentionally ecumenical and anyone is welcome to take advantage of this opportunity. The goal of the Camp in a Box program, along with all Ferncliff’s camp programs, is to guide children and youth towards a life of caring for the earth, others, and themselves.
Can our church sponsor boxes for children outside of our congregation?
Yes! Some churches may not have lots of children in the pews, but may have funds available to support children’s ministry nonetheless. Churches can sponsor boxes to a specific organization, to families in their community who do not attend their church, or even campers identified by Ferncliff. If this sounds like your congregation, you can fill out the application form and the Ferncliff staff will help direct your gift to provide boxes to appropriate families.
Do you order one box per child or one box per family?
The boxes are packed with materials and instructions for one child. For example, on day one the focus object is a magnifying glass and there is only one per box. Some activities could work if children took turns, however the program was designed with each child receiving their own box.
When will I receive the boxes?
On the application form you can indicate when you would like to receive the boxes. We will do our best to have them arrive at your desired time. We expect to be ready to begin shipments in early June and continue through late July.
Where do the boxes get delivered?
On the application form you can indicate if you would like all the boxes delivered or shipped to one address, such as your church, or if you would like them shipped directly to recipients. If you would like the latter, we will need a list of the recipients and addresses from you before we can send out the boxes.
Is there a Spanish language version available?
We are currently working on a Spanish language version and hope to have a limited quantity available this summer. Please indicate on your application form if you would like a Spanish version.
More questions?
Contact Jocelyn Wildhack at jocelyn@ferncliff.org.
