A look back in Ferncliff history.

Today with the need for social distancing many are now realizing the impact and importance of a hug. But back in 2002 youth from Jonesboro, AR, Littleton, CO as well as kids from Conyers, GA, Los Angeles, CA, New York City and Sarajevo, Bosnia where wise beyond their years and had a clear understanding of the importance of a hug. They all found themselves at Ferncliff. Many of these students had been coming to Ferncliff for several years; all a part of Connections Camp, a camp originally set up for the survivors of the 1998 shootings at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro. As more school shootings occurred, students from different schools found their way to Ferncliff. These students had a clear understand of what life was life when innocence was shattered and when a hug made them feel warm and safe.

David Gill, who was the Executive Director at the time, wanted to come up with something that could help the students who have been part of something unimaginable.

In a September 2002 article published by the Arkansas Times it tells the story of David and the Ferncliff staff being horrified by the Jonesboro shooting and the age of the victims. David started trying to find a way to help and settled on doing what Ferncliff does best: Camp. Ferncliff decided to set up a free, week-long retreat for the survivors; a ‘healing camp’ as he called it. The first summer in 1998, 68 kids showed up many clutching teddy bears and thinking it was just another attempt by adults to tell them ‘they understood’. This camp was different and it continued for several years. During that time, many parents said the camp at Ferncliff helped their children heal and begin to understand what had happened and how they could move forward. One parent in the article is quoted as saying “You gave us our kids back.”

The article paints the picture in 2002 as an evening that was idyllic when it comes to summer camps. Beautiful lake, a hundred or so people laughing, dancing to the music of a fiddle band, and in general enjoying life. The party was billed “The Night of 100 Hugs” and during that evening the campers went around hugging each other and signing each other’s shirts with colored markers.

The Night of 100 Hugs was a magical time. One small, or maybe not so small, example of what has made Ferncliff such a special place. While the Connections Camp is no longer held; there is a part that remains. A signed camp shirt hangs proudly in the Ferncliff PAC and another in Executive Director Joel Gill’s office.  And the beautiful rock labyrinth, located in front of Ramsey Chapel, was built by Connections Camper campers and is still enjoyed by Ferncliff visitors.

 

Ferncliff helps people connect to nature and live a fulfilling life. We do this through our Nature School, Disaster Assistance Center, youth mission projects, summer camps, as well as community outreach programs, conferences and retreats. We have been doing this since 1937 and have grown from a small Presbyterian camp to a multi-faceted organization located on 1200 acres in central Arkansas. To learn more please visit our website www.ferncliff.org or call us at 501-821-3063 to schedule a visit.