At Ferncliff, mission and outreach are at our core. Whether it’s assembling disaster kits in our Disaster Assistance Center, using carpentry skills to custom-build items for local agencies, teaching about sustainability in our Farmstead, or sharing reclaimed in-kind goods to increase nonprofit impact and reduce landfill waste, we try our best to help those in need – and provide our guests an opportunity to lend a hand, too.
If you would like more information about any of our Mission and Outreach programs below, please contact Emily Hooker at emily@ferncliff.org
Disaster Assistance Center
Ferncliff is unique in having its own 10,000-sq ft Disaster Assistance Center (the "DAC"). This warehouse is operated through a covenant relationship with Church World Service (CWS) and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). The DAC is a designated site for receiving, inspecting, building, storing, and shipping gift-of-the-heart kits to aid in disaster recovery and ongoing support efforts. We regularly host volunteer groups and mission teams in the DAC.
Learn More Inquire About Service Opportunities
Mission Teams
Ferncliff’s Mission Team Program gives groups a variety of outreach experiences while based at a camp and conference center known for its commitment to mission, sustainability, and creativity! Ferncliff is an ideal place for mission teams because of our on-site lodging, Disaster Assistance Center, multiple on-site service opportunities, outdoor space/camp activities, and convenient location to other local organizations & places of interest. Groups welcome year-round!
Learn More Inquire About Availability
Sharing the Goods
Sharing the Goods is Ferncliff's product redistribution program. Ferncliff is a Good360 Community Redistribution Partner (CRP), meaning that we can receive truckloads of product donations from companies like Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Grainger, Ferguson, Tempurpedic, and more. These products can then be shared with churches and nonprofits for discounts of 80-90%! Sharing the Goods helps nonprofits and churches increase their impact, save valuable money from the budget, and keep perfectly good items out of the landfill. Member agencies of Sharing the Goods can come to our warehouse to shop every Tuesday, 9:00am-3:00pm. You'll never know what you might find!
Learn More Apply to Join Sharing the Goods
Rise Against Hunger
Ferncliff partners with the food relief organization Rise Against Hunger to host meal-packaging events throughout the summer with our campers and mission teams. During these events, participants package nutritious meals that are shipped internationally to school feeding programs. Rise Against Hunger has become a camper-favorite evening activity, not only because they are making a difference, but because it's a load of fun!
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The Farmstead
The Ferncliff Farmstead exemplifies our belief that caring for the earth is a form of worship. The Farmstead consists of raised beds, a row crop plot, compost piles, fruit trees and bushes, an education building, and several animal friends! It is an educational space where guests, campers, and preschoolers can interact with farm animals, learn about where food comes from, and get their hands dirty.
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to building and delivering hand-made, fully furnished beds to children in need. SHP’s mission is to tackle childhood bedlessness which is estimated to affect 3% of the U.S. population. Started in 2012, SHP rapidly expanded to over 300 local chapters in 47 states and has delivered 200,000 beds. Ferncliff is home to the recently organized Little Rock SHP chapter.
To Donate or Inquire about Bed Builds
Over the Hill Gang
Ferncliff has been blessed with the service and friendship from the "Over the Hill Gang" - a group of committed volunteers who gather weekly(ish) in the maintenance shop to complete various woodworking projects. If you've seen Ferncliff's giant Adirondack chairs, benches, woodboxes, trash can holders, picnic tables, and swings, you've seen the fruits of the OTHG's labor! The Gang is often available to complete project submissions from other churches, camps, & nonprofits as well.
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