Cedarkirk is a year-round camp and conference center owned by the Presbyteries of Tampa Bay and Peace River. Our mission is to be a place apart to build up the body of Christ in love. Cedarkirk is dedicated to providing a space for individuals and groups to have the opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in a natural environment. Cedarkirk offers overnight and day camping experiences for children and youth of all denominations. Our goal is to provide developmentally-appropriate activities for each age group and to offer opportunities to build lasting relationships with peers, staff, and God through community-oriented fellowship, worship, and Bible study.

The Staff
The safety, training, and quality of the Cedarkirk staff are the key components to our program and a successful camp experience. Our staff are energetic, dedicated, Christian young adults who have committed their time and energy this summer to caring for your child. Each counselor goes through an extensive hiring process, including interviews and background checks. Staff that are selected receive 11 days of intense training prior to the summer with skill tests in each activity and continue with ongoing instruction throughout the summer. Our staff training (which includes First Aid and CPR certification) prepares counselors to lead small groups of campers, to relate to the unique nature of each camper, to be confident in the outdoors, and to facilitate all of our great activities that campers love. Cedarkirk staff are equipped with the skills that enable them to create a physically and emotionally safe environment for all campers.

The Camp Experience
In each program, a “family group” including no more than eight boys (with their male counselor) and no more than eight girls (with their female counselor) will do most of their camp activities together. Every evening, these “family groups” gather for worship and an all-camp activity (such as a campfire or an all-camp swim time). The community that forms within the family group and within the camp as a whole is an important aspect of the Cedarkirk experience. Campers are expected and encouraged to be involved in all camp activities.

Our Summer Theme: Be a Hero
Our exciting theme for this summer is "Be a Hero." During the week, worship leaders (visiting pastors, church educators, and youth leaders) and camp counselors will help us deepen our understanding of what it means to live a heroic life for God. In bible study and worship each day, campers will hear stories of biblical and contemporary heroes who followed God in brave and amazing ways. By acting in ways big and small, they took risks to address needs they saw around them. Campers will learn that they can live like Jesus in simple ways - doing extraordinary things as ordinary people.  They will leave camp ready to use their courage and faith to “Be a Hero” for God. The “Be a Hero” curriculum is published by an ecumenical publishing partnership in cooperation with the National Council of Churches. this partnership includes the PC(USA), Church of the Brethren, United Church of Christ, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), American Baptist Churches in the USA, and the United Methodist Church.

Roommates
It is recognized that some campers may wish to have a specific roommate during their stay at camp. Yet, part of the camp experience is making new friends and developing community within the group. Most Cedarkirk campers do not come to camp with a roommate. If you desire, you may request one roommate. Siblings will be placed in separate groups unless you advise us otherwise. Cedarkirk invites all campers to come with an openness to new experiences and new relationships.

Scholarships
We believe that every child who wants to go to camp should be able to attend. If you are in need of financial help to send your child to camp, scholarship money is available to assist families. Be sure to speak with your pastor or church office as well; often they will help kids and their families pay for camp. To inquire about a scholarship from Cedarkirk, please contact the camp office at 813-685-4224, ext. 1 or print and complete the Scholarship Request Form, which can be submitted to the camp office via fax or mail.

Health and Safety
The health and safety of your child is our first concern and priority. Camp programs are not without risk, but we aim to minimize risk and maximize fun through effective staff training, safety procedures, and quality supervision. Cedarkirk features a first-aid center and our staff is certified in first-aid and CPR. Medical facilities are located in Brandon, less than 13 miles away from camp. All activities with increased risk are supervised by a staff member trained in that particular area, including High Ropes and Canoeing. All swimming activities are monitored by a certified lifeguard(s). Some Cedarkirk programs will involve off-site activities; campers will travel in Cedarkirk vans and be driven by trained staff members over the age of 21.

Florida Weather
At Cedarkirk, we try to provide the opportunity for all campers to participate in every activity for their age group. However, due to Florida’s summer weather of frequent rain and thunderstorms, some activities might not be possible to complete during your child’s week of camp. Counselors are trained in teaching and leading alternative indoor activities during such times. Despite rainy days, campers have fun playing and laughing inside Cedarkirk’s facilities.

The Facilities
Cedarkirk opened in 1971 and has over 35 years of experience providing quality summer programs for children and youth. Nestled along the Alafia River, the summer camp facilities include two air-conditioned lodges, two air-conditioned cabins, eight rustic cabins and four platform tents with large fans, a pavilion, a pool, playing fields, an archery range, a low-ropes initiative course, a high-ropes challenge course, a climbing wall, a labyrinth, a prayer garden, zip-lines, several hiking trails and two outdoor worship areas. For more information and pictures of the Cedarkirk facilities, please click here.