Camp FAQ

I’m not Presbyterian. Can I attend summer camp at Ferncliff?
Certainly! Campers from many different faith orientations attend including some who do not have a faith tradition. We only ask that all campers participate in the Bible study, worship and small group discussions that are part of all of our camps.

Can I visit the camp before I come?
You bet. Call us at 501-821-3063 and arrange a tour.

Can my friend come with me and be in the same cabin or group?
Yes. While making new friends is an important part of the camp experience, in the registration process you will be asked if you have a roommate preference. You can put in one friend’s name and he or she can put yours on their registration form. We do not put larger groups together because it puts others in the cabin at a disadvantage.

What should I bring?
A list of things to bring can be found under the downloads on the right. Please leave cell phones, candy/snacks, electronics and spending money at home.

Can I come for more than one week?
Absolutely! Enroll for multiple events online or complete an additional enrollment form for each event (photocopies are okay). Please note: Campers attending consecutive weeks of camp may not stay at Ferncliff over the weekend.

When do camp sessions begin and end?
Week long summer camp events begin Sunday with check-in from 4:00pm - 5:00pm and end on Friday with a 30-minute closing program which begins at 5:00pm. Discovery Camps end on Tuesday at 1:30pm. Family Camp begins on Friday with check-in from 4:00pm - 5:00pm and ends on Monday.

What do I need to know about check-in and pick-up times?
Prior to check-in time, staff members are busy preparing for campers, so we ask that all campers arrive during the scheduled times. Early departures can be disruptive to your child and others in his or her family group so they are only for emergencies and medical issues so register your child for a session that they will be able to complete.
Our staff has other responsibilities and duties related to the operation of the camp which commence after the closing program. As such, we cannot provide care for campers after the scheduled pick-up time.

Where will I stay?
You will be in a cabin with campers of the same gender and approximate age. Our cabins have air conditioning, bunk beds and showers. If you sign up for an Adventure camp you will stay in our Stackwood Log Cabins. These cabins have electricity, bunk beds, ceiling fans and a gravel floor. Toilets and showers for these cabins are in the nearby Bathbarn.

Do you have medical staff on duty?
Yes. We have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day. Also, all counselors are trained in First Aid and CPR.

What’s the camper to counselor ratio?
Family Groups typically consist of five to six boys, five to six girls, a male counselor and a female counselor. Campers are placed with other campers in their age group. Occasionally, a Family Group may be comprised of single gender campers and counselors.

Can you accommodate campers with special dietary needs?
We can usually accommodate the most common dietary restrictions. Let us know about dietary needs in advance by calling before your child comes to camp. In addition, please indicate dietary needs on the health form.

Should I send my special needs child to summer camp?
Our counselors generally do not have the skills needed to work with special needs children. In rare instances, exceptions can be made, after we consult with the parents and the child’s doctors. Please do not send a special needs child to camp without first consulting with us.

Is financial assistance available?
Ferncliff has some limited campership funds generally reserved to help children of single-parents or from low-income families. Many Presbyterian churches also provide assistance. A campership application can be found under the downloads group on the right.