Rebecca Davis
AFA Journal staff writer
February 2016 – Instead of shipping the kids off to camp for a week this summer, why not go with them? Spend a week at family camp together; become part of a growing trend.
According to the American Camp Association, the number of camp programs for families has doubled over the past 15 years. Peg Smith, former CEO of ACA, said camps for families have made up the greatest growth in camp clientele in recent years.
Although the concept of family camps is not new, they are coming into their own, and rewards being reaped by families who attend are invaluable.
“Families enjoy the same benefits that kids experience at camp – unplugging from technology, enjoying healthy activities, and working on relational skills,” ACA reports. “But there are also additional benefits to the family camp experience. In a recent study, families reported benefits including positive impacts of the camp staff, reinforcement of good parenting, and reinforcement of good family relationships.”
Furthermore, Christian family camps are providing families with spiritual renewal and refreshment from a biblical perspective.
One such camp is Fort Rock Family Camp nestled on 110 acres against the Ozark National Forest in Northwest Arkansas. Fort Rock is the recreation of an 1800s western town designed for family restoration and enrichment. The step back in time allows family members – both immediate and extended – to slow down and unwind from the pressures of life. Electronics are to be left behind as Christian families embark on an adventure into the Old West.
Vision for family ministry
The vision for Fort Rock came to Terry Forsyth in the mid-1990s after God saved him and placed a burden on his heart for families. It was then that Forsyth realized just how busy and fragmented American families really are and how a simulated trip back to a simpler era would serve them well. Fort Rock Family Camp started in 2002, and in 2015, the camp served about 145 families.
“The family unit has a hard time competing these days with what appear to be great opportunities,” Forsyth told AFA Journal. “The world has us convinced that the more we have, the happier we will become. Unfortunately, we have fallen prey to this misconception,” and the complete family unit no longer fits into this scenario.
Fort Rock exists to change that concept and give families real opportunities to reconnect. For example, in addition to the Old West backdrop, Fort Rock makes the following activities available to families: zip lining, shooting and archery, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and fishing, horseback riding, tomahawk throwing and skillet tossing, volleyball, horseshoes and water sports, as well as ATV riding trails through a national forest.
Devotional materials are provided, and designated times are set aside for family devotions. All families at the camp come together for an old-fashioned chapel service on Sunday morning. Most family camp sessions at Fort Rock are held Thursday or Friday evening through Sunday morning beginning in March and ending in October.
Fort Rock also hosts a range of more focused events such as marriage retreats and parent-child retreats.
The Goers Family from Arkansas summarized their experience: “We had an amazing time [at Fort Rock]. It was all that we could have hoped for and more. I know this experience will help us grow as a team and individuals. We will be back.” 
Fort Rock
Find a schedule, camp calendar, costs, registration, and additional information at fortrock.org or call 479-677-3136.
Learn more and locate other family camps at:
Christian Camp & Conference Association ccca.org, 888-922-2287
American Camp Association acacamps.org, 800-428-2267
