Summer Youth Camp Sessions

After many lengthy conversations with Ministry Team Leaders about what is possible for this summer, Natalie and I have determined we need to make major modifications to the Camp Adams summer camp program to ensure a quality and safe experience for both campers and volunteers. We’re still working out some of the details, but wanted to let you know as soon as possible, since it will affect your summer plans. 

The big change is that Exodus, Sojourners, Discoverers, and Genesis/Seekers sessions will not run as originally scheduled, but we’re modifying the rest of the schedule to accommodate as many camp activities for as many age groups as possible.

We know this schedule change will have a major logistical impact on Camp Adams families and will disappoint the campers who have been looking forward to the summer. We share your grief and disappointment. However, the changes will ensure that we’re offering a quality and safe experience for both campers and volunteers with the resources we have available. We also believe the change this summer will set us up for much more successful summers in 2025 and beyond.

Some Background: In re-opening camp after the pandemic closures, all camps have had a difficult time returning to pre-pandemic staffing levels. Finding camp staff with the right skills, certifications, and season-long availability has been a challenge for many summer camps across the country and is not a problem unique to Camp Adams. Without enough trained and certified camp staff, we have had to increasingly rely on a patchwork of passionate volunteers to carry the weight of the camp season. Last summer’s camp programs put a particularly heavy strain on both camp staff and volunteers, and as we approached this summer with an even wider gap in camp staff coverage, it became increasingly clear that moving forward with camp as scheduled would put an unmanageable burden on the people tasked with making camp a fun and safe experience.

Looking toward Summer 2025 and Beyond: We have already made adjustments in our camp planning to avoid running into the same staffing problems we’ve seen for the past few years. With the changes we’ve made, we’re certain camp will return to a full-season, six-day camp format in 2025. 

We continue to be incredibly grateful for the health and vitality of our beloved Camp Adams, for the wisdom and passion of an excellent Camp Adams Ministry Team, for a dedicated CPC Board, and for you the vibrant camping community. In an environment where many camps across the UCC are looking at closing entirely, we’re glad we can provide opportunities for all ages to experience the  forests and streams of Camp Adams. 

We promise to build on the strengths we have so that Camp Adams will still be welcoming people into God’s creation in the decades to come.

Blessings,
Tyler Connoley, Conference Minister
Natalie Lucker, Camp Adams Executive Director

Overnight Camp Options for Summer 2024

June 30-July 3

Taller & Smaller will run as scheduled. 

July 7-8*, $50

A 24-hours-at-camp experience for Exodus campers, 4:00 PM on Sunday to 4:00 PM on Monday.

July 9-10*, $50

A 24-hours-at-camp experience for Sojourners campers, 4:00 PM on Tuesday to 4:00 PM on Wednesday.

*We recognize and acknowledge that the timing of these two one-night camps may be difficult for families to fit into their schedules. Running these events is contingent on getting at least 10 campers registered for each. These experiences will also include time in the water.

July 28-31, $145

Tallish-Smallish, a modified version of Taller & Smaller that is open to children who have finished 3rd to 6th grades (Discoverers and Genesis/Seekers-aged campers).

Campers will need to be accompanied by an adult to attend, but a small group of campers (such as a family unit, or a group of campers from one church) can attend with one adult. If you are planning to attend Tallish-Smallish, please indicate this option on the form and someone from the camp team will reach out to your family to register the adult(s) who will be accompanying the campers.

If you are not currently registered for any 2024 sessions at Camp Adams and would like to register for one of the new options, please use the Contact Us form on this website to send us your name, contact information, and session choice. A member of the camp team will help you complete your registration.

Other Summer Opportunities at Camp Adams

July 12-13

Camp will be open from 10:00 to 4:00 PM for families to enjoy. Staff will not be available to lead activities and food will not be provided, but everyone in our camp community is welcome to come and take walks, bring your own picnic, et cetera. Registration is not required, but you must sign in and sign out in Adkins Lodge when you arrive and when you leave.

Swimming will be available for these dates from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon. Swimming is limited to 25 people in the water at a time.

July 19-20 and July 26-27

Camp will be open from 10:00 to 4:00 PM for families to enjoy. Staff will not be available to lead activities and food will not be provided, but everyone in our camp community is welcome to come and take walks, bring your own picnic, et cetera. Registration is not required, but you must sign in and sign out in Adkins Lodge when you arrive and when you leave.

Swimming will not be available during these dates.

Details you may be wondering about:

What to Bring:

Sheets and Blanket for a Single/Twin Bed and/or Sleeping Bag

Pillow and Pillowcase

Two Towels (one for the waterfront and one for the cabin)

Warm Sweater and/or Jacket

Clothes to Rough-it in: Long Pants, Long Sleeved Shirts, Shorts, Warm Weather Shirts, Socks, Underwear and PJs

Two Pairs of Closed-toed Shoes

Swimsuit

Sunscreen

Insect Repellant

Toilet Articles: Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, etc..

Book/Notebook and Pencil for Quiet Time

Things NOT to bring:

Electronic Devices (computers, tablets, games, etc..)

Cell Phones

Cameras

Camp Adams is a part of the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ. To learn even more, please visit the Central Pacific Conference of the UCC website and/or the the CPC Blog.