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The Cedarkirk Summer Camp Program
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. Through hospitality and quality programming, Cedarkirk is dedicated to providing a space for renewal and growth in a natural environment.

For over 40 years, parents, guardians, pastors, and friends have placed their trust in us by sending their children to our faith-based summer camp programs. We are confident that our philosophy of small-group camping and experienced staff will ensure a fun and meaningful experience for your child while maintaining a physically and emotionally safe environment for learning, challenge, and growth.  Cedarkirk offers residential camping experiences for children and youth of all denominations, which emphasize opportunities to build lasting relationships with peers, staff, and God through community-oriented fellowship, worship, and Bible study.

Our Summer Staff
A safe, mature, and well-trained staff is the key component in all of Cedarkirk’s programs - and necessary for a successful camp season. 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 that includes personal interviews, several background checks, and a fingerprint scan. Staff that are hired receive eleven days of intensive training prior to the beginning of camp as well as ongoing instruction and skill tests 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 exciting activities. Cedarkirk staff are fully equipped with skills that enable them to create a physically and emotionally safe environment for all campers.

The Camp Experience
Cedarkirk offers small-group camping throughout its varied programs. In each camp session, a "family group" comprised of up to eight boys (with their male counselor) and up to eight girls (with their female counselor) will do most of their camp activities together - cooking out, canoeing, swimming, having Bible study, etc. Every evening, these "family groups" join other groups in the same age range for worship and an all-camp activity such as a campfire, night swim, line dance, or other large-group recreation. "Family groups" will also gather for meals, fellowship, and song time. We believe this small group camping model provides a nurturing and safe environment and fosters meaningful relationships amongst campers and between campers and counselors. The community that forms within the "family group" and their relation to the camp as a whole is an important aspect of the Cedarkirk camp experience. Campers are expected and encouraged to be involved in all camp activities.

Our Summer Theme: Hidden In Plain Sight
Our theme for the summer, "Hidden In Plain Sight", examines the parables of Jesus and the wisdom and knowledge to be taken from these short stories. During the week, worship leaders (visiting pastors, church educators, and youth leaders) and camp counselors will help deepen our understanding of these parables when explored from the cultural context of the time in which they were written.

This summer's curriculum was developed by the Cooperative Publishing Association in cooperation with the Committee on Outdoor Ministry of the National Council of Churches of Christ.  This partnership includes the Presbyterian Church (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
We recognize that some campers may wish to have a specific roommate during their stay at camp, but part of the camp experience is making new friends and developing community within a group. Most Cedarkirk campers do not come to camp with a roommate, but if you desire, you may request one roommate. In order for a roommate request to be honored, both parties must request each other. It is our policy to place siblings in separate groups unless we are advised otherwise. Cedarkirk invites all campers to come with an openness to new experiences and relationships.

Scholarships
We believe that every child who wants to come 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 have money budgeted to help kids and their families pay for camp. Scholarship assistance is only awarded for one camp session per camper each summer and is not typically awarded for extended length camp sessions, such as the 8-day programs. To inquire about a confidential scholarship from Cedarkirk, please contact the camp office at 813.685.4224, ext. 1, or complete the Scholarship Request Form.

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, mandatory safety procedures, and quality supervision. Cedarkirk features a first aid center and every staff member is certified in first aid and CPR by an accredited organization. Medical facilities are located minutes from camp and a regional hospital is just over 10 miles away. All activities with increased risk are supervised by a skilled and experience staff member trained in that particular activity. All swimming activities and off-site water activities are monitored by certified lifeguards. Some Cedarkirk programs do involve off-site trips; campers participating in these trips will travel in Cedarkirk vehicles 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 schedule for their age group. However, due to Florida’s summer weather pattern of rain and thunderstorms, some activities may not be possible to complete during your child’s week at camp. Counselors are trained in teaching and leading alternative indoor activities during such times. In spite of rainy days, campers have fun playing and laughing inside Cedarkirk’s facilities.

Withdrawal / Cancellation Policy
We understand that complications arise and that you may have to withdraw your child from their registered program prior to the start of camp.  The initial $50 deposit is non-refundable and will not be returned to you.  However, if you have paid any additional amount toward your balance, or paid it in full, that money will be returned to you in the method you paid for camp (i.e. if paid by credit card, the fee will be credited to that card; if paid by check, the fee will be returned to you via a check from Cedarkirk, etc.).  If your child is asked to leave camp because of behavior issues or chooses to leave due to homesickness, your camp fee will not be refunded.

The Facilities
Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center opened in 1971 and has 40 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, one air-conditioned retreat cottage, two air-conditioned cabins, nine rustic cabins, two platform tents, an open air pavilion, a swimming pool, playing fields, an archery range, a low-ropes initiatives course, a high-ropes challenge course, an auto-belay climbing wall, a labyrinth and prayer garden, several zip-lines, miles of hiking trails, and two outdoor worship areas. For more information and pictures of the Cedarkirk facilities, please click here.