Program Overview:
Join in some unforgettable outdoor experiences in the Wilderness Exploration Weeks (WEW) program! You’ll start off at CedarS, practicing your outdoor cooking, fire building, lashing, and canoeing skills. During week 1, you’ll head out on a three-day canoe trip on Current River in Southern Missouri where you’ll get to camp out along the way. Week 2, campers will go to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, Arkansas to enjoy hiking and some of the best rock-climbing in the Midwest. An AMGA certified guide will oversee all climbing activities.
CedarS will be the home base where you'll return for hymn sings, Sunday School, laundry, cable ski, waterslide, and more! The loving and nurturing atmosphere of WEW is the perfect place to learn, grow, and have a fun (and exciting experiences).
While it is helpful to have prior outdoor and camping experiences, the only requirement is a love of nature and a desire to put Christian Science into practice more fully. Every activity is taught by experienced and knowledgeable staff. We strongly encourage campers to participate in our Outdoor Exploration Camp as an outdoor beginner.
Here's a sample program schedule- subject to change:
Week 1:
Sunday- welcome & unpack, teambuilding games, hymn sing
Monday- practice canoe skills, pack for float trip, grocery shop
Tuesday- head to Current River, start canoe trip, camp along shores of current river, explore Alley Spring
Wednesday- continue canoe trip, testimony meeting
Thursday- continue canoe trip, final night on the river
Friday- complete canoe trip, drive back to camp
Saturday- horseback riding, belay lessons from an AMGA professional, sunset zipline, and clean laundry!
Week 2:
Sunday- Sunday School, photos, high ropes, pack for climbing adventure, hymn sing
Monday- Grocery shop, drive to Kyle's Landing Campground in Jasper, Arkansas
Tuesday- Hike, explore the river, and camp out at Kyle's Landing
Wednesday- Climb at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch under the guidance of an AMGA professional, testimony meeting, camp out at Kyle's Landing
Thursday- Morning hike & swim, drive back to camp by dinner
Friday- Packing, Quality Awards Luncheon, Goodbyes
NLC Fulfillment Opportunity: Read our guide on how participating in the WEW program can fulfill NLC requirements and earn Congressional Award hours.
CedarS Outdoor Programs Overview 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 some of the activities that you’ll get to enjoy:
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.
Water Sliding
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:
WEW 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.
