Program Overview:
Come challenge yourself to grow in grit, teamwork, outdoor skills, and appreciation of God’s creation.
Gain coaching and hand-on experience in fire building, tent and hammock setup, lashing, canoeing, and “Leave No Trace” camping. Plan and cook delicious meals over fires. Put your new camping, cooking, and canoeing skills to the test in a team outdoor adventure race. Also enjoy an overnight Ozark canoe trip.
Living arrangements will include air-conditioned and solar-powered cabins, as well as hammocks and tents for overnight campouts.
Balance outdoor exploration activities with other camp favorites like zipline, horseback riding, and cable ski.
Program Video:
Other Activities:
Christian Science Focus
Our goal is to apply Christian Science to each activity with joy! All programs include daily Bible Lesson study, “mets” before activities, Sunday School, Wednesday testimony meetings, hymn sings, and talks by the resident Christian Science Practitioner.
Activities
When you’re not at your specialty camp, you’ll be scheduled to rotate through a variety of fun camp activities with your program.
Here are examples of some of the activities at camp:
Horseback Riding
Ride nearly every day on one of Cedars' 70+ excellent horses (at no extra charge). Improve your riding skills in one of our seven arenas, including two that are covered. Enjoy our extensive camp trail network with over 800 acres and miles of riding trails. Interact with miniature horses and learn how to drive a mini horse cart (5th grade and up). Showcase your new skills in an end-of-session Horse Show. All riding classes are taught by a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructor.
Swimming
Swim daily at free swim and/or classes in our Aquatic Center with its Junior Olympic Lap Pool and Diving Pool. Red Cross Lifeguards and swimming instructors are eager to help you learn or improve your strokes and earn certificates. Other fun water activities at our Aquatic Center include diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, pool volleyball, and a swim meet.
High & Low Ropes Courses and Zip Line
Whether working as a team to solve a low-ropes course challenge, experiencing the high elevation challenges on our high ropes course, or zipping over the lake, campers will have the opportunity to experience challenge-by-choice while they are pushed out of their comfort zone and into their growth zone!
Cable Ski
Learn to kneeboard, wakeboard, and waterski on our 6-tower cable ski system on our very own onsite lake. Learn to navigate turns and try our optional ramp jump as you enjoy ½-mile laps. The cable ski system can accommodate six riders at once, so your whole cabin can be active at once. Cheer on your friends as they make their way around the lake, taking on new challenges. Will you be the one to set the new record for most cable ski laps? (Requirement: pass a basic swim and board navigation assessment. This activity is typically appropriate for rising 4th graders and up. During Family Camp, we often accommodate younger campers.)
Canoeing, Kayaking, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Guide your canoe around our own lake or down a local river with confidence after you learn each paddle stroke. Learn the basics of sit-on-top kayaking at Kayak Cove, and then play a round of kayak polo. Test your balance as you paddleboard: learn basic strokes and graduate up to obstacle courses.
Log Rolling
Demonstrate grace and balance as you learn to stand, walk, and run atop a synthetic rolling log. Our instructors will teach you the basic skills, and you can advance to log rolling contests. The log is weighted to accommodate the beginner or more advanced camper. This activity takes place in our Junior Olympic lap pool or in Kayak Cove.
Nature & Fishing
Enjoy CedarS nature program while exploring our new trails and learning conservation practices. Hike over hills and streams to explore our CedarS cave. Go birding in the forest; catch crayfish and frogs in the creek; or go fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish in our stocked lakes.
Sports
Come experience the CedarS Sports Center, with its open-air garage doors and jumbo high-velocity fans. Improve your fundamental skills in soccer, basketball, and volleyball with the help of experienced players and coaches who are committed to helping you excel. Additional sports to enjoy include aerial arts (2nd session only), disc golf, ultimate frisbee, ga-ga, ping pong, foosball, and modified capture the flag.
Fire Building and Camp Crafts
Learn fire safety and fire building skills, as you work to start your own one-match campfire. Work on your lashing, knot-tying, shelter-building, outdoor cooking, and compass skills.
Trampoline
Bounce safely and joyfully on our trampolines, which have 360 degree net enclosures.
Waterslide
Twist and turn your way down CedarS very own waterslide, which is one of the longest in the state of Missouri. Enjoy a refreshing splash at the bottom, then hike back up the winding ramp and do it again!
Trips
Enjoy a float trip as well as a number of campouts during the program.
Evening Activities
Enjoy bonding with your cabin during evening activities such as Star gazing, cabin game nights, cook-offs, fishing, hymn sings.
Meals:
Outdoor Exploration Camp will make some of their meals over a fire at the campsite that they create during the session.
The main dining room offers a variety of kid-friendly foods such as pizza, chicken nuggets, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and spaghetti. Breakfasts have a main entrée, plus selections of cereals, oatmeal, eggs, and fresh fruit. Lunches and dinners include a main and side entrée, plus daily salad and PB&J options. Each meal comes with vegetarian and vegan options.
