It’s hard to believe that summer 2017 is more than halfway over! We are currently in the middle of our fifth week of summer programming; so far this summer has been great and we are looking forward to these next few weeks!

Here’s a little insight to what’s been going on at Ferncliff thus far:

2017 Theme:

• This summer, our theme is Branching Out. Camp is a great place for campers to “branch out” from what they are used to doing. From staying overnight away from home to trying something new, camp is a great safe space to deviate from the norm. Even a tree with huge, long branches remains firmly planted in one place. Its roots keep the tree healthy and safely grounded, feeding it nutrients and allowing it to continue to grow and branch out. Jesus describes himself with several “I am” statements in the New Testament. In John chapter 15 Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches. If the vine remains connected to the branches, beautiful and healthy fruit will grow. Like a tree needs its roots to stay healthy and strong, like the branches need the vine to grow and bear fruit, we need a strong foundation in Jesus in order to fully branch out and live a satisfying, prosperous, adventurous life.
  • Daily Themes:
    • Sunday: The Vine (John 15:5 – The Vine and the Branches)
      Monday: Roots (Matthew 13:1-8 – The Parable of the Sower)
      Tuesday: Branches (Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus the Tax Collector)
      Wednesday: Forest (1 Samuel 18 -20 – David and Jonathan’s Friendship)
      Thursday: Heartwood (Matthew 17:20 – Faith Like a Mustard Seed)
      Friday: Leaves  (Acts 8:26-38 – Philip and the Ethiopian)

Our Summer Staff:

• Composed of enthusiastic young adults from all over the world (England, New Zealand, India, Madagascar, Wales, Ireland, and the United States), our summer staff is truly a remarkable bunch. We have been so proud of them and the work they’ve been doing! They have been putting our mission statement into motion this summer and we are so thankful for all of their hard work.
• All of our staff go through two weeks of staff training (three weeks for leadership staff) to ensure they are ready for a summer of counseling. They are trained in everything from how to take a fish off a hook to age group characteristics; from how to cook over a campfire to first aid/CPR/AED certification. It’s a fun and face-paced two weeks and really sets the stage for the summer ahead.

 

Program Updates:

• Between Overnight Camp, Day Camp, Camp-2-You, and Contract Camps, so far we have served 825 campers! Woo hoo!

 

• Rise Against Hunger: Formerly known as Stop Hunger Now, Rise Against Hunger is a meal-packaging program that we facilitate during each week of camp. It’s high energy, fast paced — it’s a party with a purpose! Meals are delivered to school feeding programs around the world. By packaging these meals, our campers are helping kids their age and putting their faith into motion. This summer it’s estimated that we will package over 40,000 meals! Woo hoo!

• New Play Field: Located behind the J-Mo Tabernacle, this new field has lots of shade and will certainly be put to good use! 

   

  

  Sunday night field games

• Stand-Up Paddle Boards: This activity is brand new and already a favorite among our older campers. Stand-Up Paddle boards (SUPs) are a fun new addition to Belden Pond, an area we are looking to develop in the future. Also added to the waterfront is an aqua pad, or a giant, floating mat, to use in conjunction with the paddle boards.
  

  

  

  
  
• Sling Shot Range: Campers can now take aim at our western-themed façade! A special thanks to the Over-The-Hill Gang and our maintenance staff for this great new addition!

 

Is it too late to register for camp?: Absolutely not!  Click here to register today!

 

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Ferncliff creates positive change in the world by opening eyes, minds, and hearts to God’s transforming love. We see this mission statement lived out in all of our summer camp programs.

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Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center

1720 Ferncliff Road

Little Rock, Arkansas

www.ferncliff.org

(501) 821-7089