Experiences
Tell us how you have benefited by your experience at the CedarS Camps and see how others have been enriched by their upward-bound experiences.
Counselor
The most supporting and loving environment to grow in. The best description truly is: “Welcome home”!Grandparent
I can’t say how grateful I am for Cedars giving my 5 grandchildren fantastic summer experiences and showing them Christian Science in action. The pure, joyous, generous spirit there is such a wonderful example of Christian living.
Counselor
I love Cedars! It was the highlight of my summers as a camper and I love spending my summers there as staff and seeing the same growth that I had in my campers! There is such a loving and family atmosphere
Staff
I have been attending camp for the past 20 summers now. This place is a wonderful place to learn more about who you are. You learn about your relationship with God, your relationship with others, and how to be better at being you. Cedars provides an environment that encourages growth and new activity. Every time I return I learn something new about myself and I learn how to be a better person. I can’t think of a better place to spend part of my summer.
Parent
My three boys have chosen Cedars Camps over other big family vacations because they have such a powerful experience every time they come. The model leadership by the senior staff and counselors is the example of perfection; and I know it is God directed. Loving kindness and encouragement is lived at Cedars. If you haven’t experienced it, come and join the fun.
Alumni
I attended Cedars Camps for fourteen years every summer. Beginning as a Whippoorwill and eventually a counselor, I have grown so much because of Cedars. From learning about Christian Science in an open, fun and uplifting setting to having an impact on the lives of so many children and young adults as a counselor – these experiences have shaped me today. I can not imagine any other place or camp that could have provided me with the joy that I experienced on a daily basis while at camp, other than at Cedars!
Current Counselor
I’ve spent the last 16 years at CedarS. This place has taught me how to love, brought me my greatest friendships, and truly transformed my entire life. It has challenged and rewarded me in ways I could never have dreamed. Love brought me to CedarS and I don’t know where I would be without it. It is my Home (the dearest spot on earth).
Counselor
An incredible place to learn important life skills that really make a difference in your future. My family has been attending the camp for years and I personally have been working at the camp for 10 years. I have had many experiences as a counselor and Program Director and it has helped me grow both spiritually and professionally. I have been blessed to see how the hard work of those devoted to making every moment great has effected the lives of not only the campers who attend during the summer but also in the lives of anyone who comes through the gate.
Current Counselor
This place changed my life and made me who I am today. My future kids have no choice: they will go to Cedars Camps, one of the happiest places on earth.
Alumni
If I could give Cedars more then 5 stars I would. I made so many good friends here and miss it every summer. My favorite activities as a camper were the water slide, water skiing, cave trip, ropes course, climbing wall, and archery just to name a few. When I have kids I will definitely send them here in the summer. Thank you CedarS staff for truly making CedarS Camps the happiest place on earth and for making me the man that I am today.
Counselor
I have attended CedarS for 14 summers as a camper, counselor, and a member of the leadership team and can genuinely say that it has become my second home. Each summer brings new opportunities to grow closer to God, develop skills, and work with others whether as a camper or as a staff member. CedarS is truly transforming lives!
Parent
Heaven on earth. It’s shaping the youth of today and helping to build the future. My children live to go there every summer.
Former Camper and present Parent
I wanted to sing a song of gratitude for my daughters experience at CEDARS. It was an extraordinary experience for her to grow as an individual. She proved to herself she could overcome fears and be a valued member of a group of wonderful people. She is already talking about coming back. Her FAVORITE part of the day was the metaphysical prep before activities and at meals. So thank you for helping to instill that thoughtfulness throughout the day. The counselors were all amazing and the facilities are quite a delightful surprise. The CEDARS of my past is still there but super sized with the facilities for even more fun.
Camper
I have been so incredibly happy since attending CEDARS. I have made a diligent effort to read the lesson every day and work in prayer. I cannot express in this letter how much of a difference I have felt. I am really liking the Footsteps of Truth chapter so far (thought it would be a good chapter to start with!). Thanks so much!
Parent
Each year the kids have returned, overflowing with humorous stories, happy memories, wonderful friendships, astounding accomplishments, unlimited adventures and genuine growth. What’s more, we continue to see the kids live as though they’re at camp by drawing on experiences, healings, and friendships from CEDARS.
Camper
My favorite activity was waterskiing including the cable ski system. I cant wait to go back next year to have another awesome time! Every year I go back I learn how to use Christian Science in my activities and actions.
Parent
Because of camperships, my children have been able to attend CEDARS and participate in activities that not only stretched them physically & mentally, but showed them how Christian Science plays a vital role in everything they do, even away from home. I cant say enough about the amazing counselors! Im so grateful for the positive role models they are.
Parent
It is certainly church in action when the camp activities are all preceded by mets and the long-lasting effects from this preparatory metaphysical work continue here in our home all year! It is so comforting to us parents to know your child is in a place that completely supports the demonstration of Christian Science healing. It was a priceless opportunity for her to grow in independence and in her reliance on God.
From a mother in Great Britain of two first-time, teenage campers
I would love to report that since CedarS our two have studied the Lesson regularly and seen every obstacle quickly healed. It has not been that dramatic, or easy! However, I have seen in both of them a little more grace, patience, confidence, more awareness of God’s presence & more interest in considering spiritual ideas. They have both given testimonies in church for the first time
An Arizona Family
50 Reasons Why We Love CedarS Camps:
- The water slide
- the food I love the food
- Rock wall
- Horseback riding
- Trip day
- Rope swing
- Pool
- High dive
- Mets
- Capture the flag
- Talent show
- Fishing
- Cabins
- Counselors
- Council Fire
- Friends
- The lakes
- the love
- Quiet hour
- Arts and crafts
- Joy of camp
- BRO Cable Skiing
- Archery
- Mrs. Huff
- Wood crafts
- Friendship rocks
- Wranglers
- Big Surf
- Hymn Sings
- PAL House
- Marys Chapel
- Wildlife/Nature Center
- Square/Rock Dance
- Horses
- Zip line
- Tie Dye
- Luau
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Field Day
- Trampoline
- CIP
- Parent helpers
- The staff
- Miniature horses
- Bible Lands
- Cedars Express
- Catching crawdads
- Kayaking
- Everything! Whats not to love?!
Camper
When I got back home I became a totally different person. I really believed that God could heal me and help me with my problems, where before I didn’t. I told my mom that every night I wanted us to have a family hymn sing, since I knew more songs now. I felt I was ready to tell my best friend about Christian Science, since I knew how to explain it and deal with her not really understanding it. And now at Sunday School I participate and I share my opinions on what I think about something. I read the [Bible] lesson everyday and write notes on it so when I go to Sunday School I can ask questions on something if I don’t understand it or if one of my other Sunday School mates doesn’t understand something I can explain it to them. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Always remember, GOD IS LOVE!
Grandparent
I just had to take a minute to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your staff. I picked up our granddaughter tonight from the airport. All the way home she didn’t stop praising Cedars. She told her 8-year-old cousin that everyone at Cedars is like your brother and sister, it is the most amazing place on earth. Then she went on and on about the activities and the dear practitioners. She is soooooooooo alive with the spirit of life. She says ‘NOW, I am able to do anything!’
Camper
The campouts were so much fun they were my first ones ever. Everything about Cedars I love from the people, to the healings, to the activities. Cedars is like one big happy family and I love it like that. I’m glad I could go this year. Thank you.
Parent
My son had his best year of camp ever. He has now become a member of The Mother Church.
Camper
Thank you for the care, joy and support you give to the children and especially to the Cause of Christian Science. For the children to meet for a time in fun and prayer and go back to their worlds strengthened its wonderful! Thank you!
Parent
We’ve given a couple of testimonies about the love [that was] shared with my son this summer and the blessing it brought to the family in helping him!… I have been so impressed with everyone at Cedars – it has a very special place in my heart & in the hearts of my children. They’ve even added: We love Cedars! as part of the screen saver on our computer!
Parent
Our daughter speaks of Cedars as ‘home’. Her experience there for three weeks was full of love and support, and advanced her understanding of Christian Science. What more could I ask for? Since camp she has faced a few physical and emotional challenges. All I have needed to say is How would you handle this if you were at Cedars? Within minutes her reply has been Im good. Challenge met. Our son had a blast at Cedars. He was there for one week in the Main Camp. He made several new friends, tried new activities, and grew in confidence (like when he rang the bell at the top of the rock-climbing wall!). The thing I am most grateful for concerning him is that he was able to be a part of a large group of Christian Science kids. (We often have just three students in our Sunday School.) There are nice camps around here, with horses and pools, but nothing they offer could compare to being at camp filled with other Christian Scientists! I have to agree with my daughter, Cedars feels like home in many ways. The love expressed and shared by the staff and counselors makes us feel so welcomed and cherished.
Camper
After being at Cedars, I understand better what the lesson says every week, and use it in my everyday life. I love the mets before every activity, because they help clear my thought so I can have more fun in my activity or if I’m scared, to help me to know that God is with me.
Parent
For many years my children have been blessed with many opportunities to be at Cedars. I am so grateful. My sons teacher last year said he shared so much of what he learned from mets at Cedars during chapels at school. My daughter also shares healings she has had because of what she has learned. She left JL saying she is now considering deeply joining church. We are so blessed by Cedars.
Parent
Cedars is a demonstration of love, I think, and the atmosphere of Love at Cedars seemed to refresh and relax my children as well. My son did well under the care of his counselors and since weve returned home he’s been getting along better with his two older brothers. He seems more centered and self confident. Also, he has begun referring to himself as a Christian Scientist, which is new and nice. This was our daughters first summer at Cedars and she loved it! We’ve been back less than a week and shes already planning her trip back to Cedars next summer. She made some good friends and loved her counselors. Today she and I read the Bible Lesson together. Usually we only read one or two sections together before she is ready to stop. Today, she decided after each section that she wanted to keep going and, for the first time ever, we read the entire Bible Lesson together. That was new and nice and again I thank you for your sponsorship.
Camper
Cedars is my favorite place in the world to visit. I feel at home there. I like being around other Christian Science people. I had a nice healing while I was at camp. One of the things I like about camp is that I get to go out of my comfort zone into my growing zone. It always helps to know that God is with me when I am doing that. Last summer I did the waterslide! This summer I did the fire-pole and high dive! This summer I also got to do Jr Riding Camp. I love horses! They are one of Gods best ideas. I also liked crafts a lot. My favorite things were bead buddies and clay… I look forward to [Cedars] all year!
Parent
The way you train your counselors is the way life should be lived!
Camper
This was my first summer and I had a Blast! I made the bestest of friends there than you could anywhere else. And the counselors, wow! They are awesome!
Family Camper
THE STAFF IS TRULY OUTSTANDING! We were continually blown away by the friendly, joyful, eager to help staff. Everyone gave so much. The staff was so fresh, full of fun, and delightful to be around…they had so much vigor and joy! The leadership is so clear and strong. It is a truly impressive group.
Parent
Words can’t express our great joy about Cedars – there was such a Christly spirit throughout the camp session and all three of us had the best year ever! My son had such fun with joyous and inspiring counselors whose unconditional love brought out newfound humor, joy and spiritual maturity in him. On the drive home he said, ‘Our power hours [Bible lesson study time] were really awesome!’ and shared spiritual insights with his sister as she was missing being at camp. His basketball coach was a great role model for patience, encouragement and seeing the real man, never showing disappointment if our son missed a shot but always offering ‘new views of divine goodness and love.’ The counselors who helped with the program also offered such caring, wisdom and humor.
Camper
Getting up in the mornings and reading the lesson really helped me get prepared for the day.
Various Campers
I received support, comfort, and tenderness from everyone. The counselors were awesome. They’re so cool. Going to your camp for a week was truly a gift from God. I really liked the counselors; they made my good experience into a great experience.
Camper
I love going to Cedars because of the love that is demonstrated everyday by the kids and the counselors and other staff. Everyone cares for each other at Cedars and no one teases you or puts you down like they do in school. When I’m at a Christian Science Camp I see the way the world can be when everyone shows love to each other.
Camper
Every time I get to go to Cedars I feel like I get closer to God. I learn more about spiritual ideas and how to use them in my life. I feel like the people at Cedars are a second family to me. They are my home away from home.
Camper
Cedars purifies my thought for the upcoming school year, sports, relationships, and any other task that I may come across throughout the year. One of the main reasons I attend camp is the opportunity to spend time with other Christian Scientists who share the same morals. It’s not every day you get to be in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. I look forward to a year of growth and progress due to my two weeks at Cedars Camps.
Camper
The environment at CedarS was so positive and influencing. I never realized there were so many kids that practiced Christian Science in everyday life that were my age.
Camper
I loved how before each activity, we had a ‘met’ to explain how Christian Science applied to that particular activity. The ‘met’ helped me understand that I could use Christian Science in everyday activities.
Camper
CedarS is a haven that taught me lessons I will cherish for the rest of my life – lessons on love, relationships, family, forgiveness, discipline, education, home and most importantly my relationship with God. I have been stretched and challenged to be who I truly am, and not to settle for any less than my spiritual identity. I have been given opportunities to lead and to follow, to love gently and to love toughly, to wait patiently and to act spontaneously, to remain God’s child and to grow in my spiritual understanding.