Summer Camp at Living River
|
“At Living River, just over 400 acres are filled with trees, fields, a vibrant, flowing river, a deep, clear lake, and signs of wildlife everywhere—including millions of years old fossils.
Living River is a beautiful and serene place to enjoy God’s creation and presence throughout the past—through uncovering of fossils, in the present—through peaceful communion with nature, and the future—through the kids and youth who will be forever changed.” -Erika, Camper Parent Pictured left: Warren (kindergarten), Erika's youngest, fossil hunting at You & Me camp! |
Living River Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions:
How are campers divided up during their camp session?
Every camp session spans age ranges that possibly allow siblings to attend together. Still, all camp sessions are run by grouping campers closest in age into small groups that do all activities together during the day. This is so counselors can most easily tailor their behavior management tactics and plans to apply to everyone they're in charge of, whether in their small group or in their cabin. Small groups are mixed, with girls and boys.
For cabins, campers are divided by gender, then by age, bunking with other campers closest to their age. If siblings are attending a session together, they may be in separate cabins or small groups, but will still see each other throughout the day! Parents can request that siblings be in a cabin together during registration, and Living River will do its best to honor that request while keeping each cabin's age breakdown in mind, as both being with a trusted sibling and being with other campers who are the same age may factor heavily into a camper's experience. Campers are in their small group with other cabin-mates, so their cabin relationships really grow strong throughout the week!
Every cabin and small group has two counselors assigned to it! Living River follows the American Camp Association standards for appropriate camper-to-adult ratios when assigning campers to cabins and small groups before each session.
For cabins, campers are divided by gender, then by age, bunking with other campers closest to their age. If siblings are attending a session together, they may be in separate cabins or small groups, but will still see each other throughout the day! Parents can request that siblings be in a cabin together during registration, and Living River will do its best to honor that request while keeping each cabin's age breakdown in mind, as both being with a trusted sibling and being with other campers who are the same age may factor heavily into a camper's experience. Campers are in their small group with other cabin-mates, so their cabin relationships really grow strong throughout the week!
Every cabin and small group has two counselors assigned to it! Living River follows the American Camp Association standards for appropriate camper-to-adult ratios when assigning campers to cabins and small groups before each session.
Where do campers sleep at living River?
Campers sleep in air-conditioned bunk cabins with a maximum capacity of 16 campers in twin bunk beds and 2 counselors. Each top bunk has safety railings. Each cabin has a bath area with 2 sinks, 2 private showers, and 2 private toilets.
What are meals like at Living River?
Living River’s food service employees are public school child nutrition professionals who understand children and youth. Meals always include fruits or vegetables. Counselors highly encourage water at meals and throughout the day, with lemonade as the only other drink option available to campers. We encourage campers to try new foods, but know that picky eaters will always be with us. The kitchen is always prepared with options such as peanut butter and jelly, cereal, or plain noodles. It is helpful if parents alert the camp in advance if there are allergies or options that work at home. No camper goes hungry at Living River.
Campers eat family-style with their small group and small group counselors.
Campers eat family-style with their small group and small group counselors.
Who is the staff at Living River and how are they trained?
The summer staff at Living River (counselors) are well-trained college students. The counselor's training includes First Aid/CPR, child development, conflict resolution, learning styles and abilities, and small-group facilitation. Living River's Executive Director and Development Director oversee the summer camp program, and at least one of them is on-site at all times during summer camp sessions. Every camp session also has adult volunteers and healthcare providers. All staff, counselors, and volunteers at Living River pass background checks and undergo child protection training.
Staff and counselors prioritize creating a safe and fun environment for all campers and volunteers.
Staff and counselors prioritize creating a safe and fun environment for all campers and volunteers.
What is Faith formation like at Living River?
Youth and kids are invited to discover more about God, their own faith, the world, and themselves through keynotes, small groups, hands-on activities, asking questions, and having meaningful discussions. In its faith formation of children and youth, Living River values curiosity, wonder, an understanding of history and cultures, practical Christian skill-building (service to neighbor, a variety of prayer strategies, etc.), and the assurance of God's love for each person as demonstrated through the stories of the Bible.
Campers' comfort and confidence in their faith comes from learning the stories of the Bible, participating in discussions about the Scriptures' meaning through, and sharing their own experiences of God. When kids and youth are invited into spiritual discussion, it's easier for them to understand that their story is a part of God's story and that it's safe to ask questions about God, creation, and their faith.
Campers' comfort and confidence in their faith comes from learning the stories of the Bible, participating in discussions about the Scriptures' meaning through, and sharing their own experiences of God. When kids and youth are invited into spiritual discussion, it's easier for them to understand that their story is a part of God's story and that it's safe to ask questions about God, creation, and their faith.
What is special about Living River?
Living River's property is surrounded by 4.5 miles of the Cahaba River, one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America! Responsible stewardship of its property is a big part of Living River's mission. So environmental education, stewardship practices, and a love of nature are integrated into Living River's summer camp program. Living River campers spend a lot of time outdoors, learning about nature and caring for it.
Environmental partners such as the 4-H Extension, the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Paleontological Society, the Cahaba River Coalition, and others offer unique learning experiences for campers. Often, campers get to play in the Cahaba, learn about it as an ecosystem, interact with critters like macroinvertebrates, and help with cleanup projects. All outdoor activities are done with safety as the top priority. Campers, volunteers, and staff always wear life jackets in the Cahaba and the lake and never enter either without a lifeguard on duty. Living River assigns lifeguards and lookouts in accordance with the American Red Cross's recommended ratios. Living River monitors the Cahaba and its lake for possible contaminants and rough conditions, and has policies that dictate when it is safe to enter either body of water.
Environmental partners such as the 4-H Extension, the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Paleontological Society, the Cahaba River Coalition, and others offer unique learning experiences for campers. Often, campers get to play in the Cahaba, learn about it as an ecosystem, interact with critters like macroinvertebrates, and help with cleanup projects. All outdoor activities are done with safety as the top priority. Campers, volunteers, and staff always wear life jackets in the Cahaba and the lake and never enter either without a lifeguard on duty. Living River assigns lifeguards and lookouts in accordance with the American Red Cross's recommended ratios. Living River monitors the Cahaba and its lake for possible contaminants and rough conditions, and has policies that dictate when it is safe to enter either body of water.
What do campers do at Living River?
Campers experience all kinds of camp fun at Living River, including archery, a low ropes course, swimming, canoeing, games, fishing, hiking, bonfires, unique camp traditions, and so much more!
What are the different sessions at Living River camps Like?
In 2026, Living River is offering four different kinds of camps- You & Me, Night Owl, Elementary, and Creative.
You & Me camp sessions are perfect for campers who are too young to attend camp sessions on their own, are first-time campers, or aren't ever going to want to come to camp on their own. Campers starting at 4 years old can attend You & Me sessions with one or more loved ones (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, siblings over 18, etc.). You & Me sessions offer opportunities for campers to participate in camp activities with their parents and on their own, in small groups with other campers and counselors. Adults who attend with campers should participate in activities when possible and enjoy Living River with the other adults when their camper has the chance to do activities on their own. The goals of You & Me are to let campers practice independence from an adult in the camp environment and to offer fun camp experiences/memories for adults to cherish with their campers.
Night Owl is Living River's youth camp! Middle and high schoolers get to stay up later doing nighttime recreation and fun, then sleep in a little later. Youth get a little more freedom during Night Owl to socialize and enjoy the outdoors in less structured ways.
Elementary Camp is a general camp session where elementary-aged campers do a little bit of everything that Living River offers!
Creative Camp still offers all the recreation opportunities found in the other camp sessions, but more time is spent on creative activities than in the other sessions. Campers choose a musical or fine art (possibly creative writing, dancing, or art) to focus on during the week. Campers then get the opportunity to perform with their creative small group or show their art during the end-of-session variety show! Living River has offered hand bells, ukulele, dancing, creative writing, painting, and theatre in past summers. Campers also work with a guest art teacher on an advanced art project throughout the week that they get to take home.
You & Me camp sessions are perfect for campers who are too young to attend camp sessions on their own, are first-time campers, or aren't ever going to want to come to camp on their own. Campers starting at 4 years old can attend You & Me sessions with one or more loved ones (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, siblings over 18, etc.). You & Me sessions offer opportunities for campers to participate in camp activities with their parents and on their own, in small groups with other campers and counselors. Adults who attend with campers should participate in activities when possible and enjoy Living River with the other adults when their camper has the chance to do activities on their own. The goals of You & Me are to let campers practice independence from an adult in the camp environment and to offer fun camp experiences/memories for adults to cherish with their campers.
Night Owl is Living River's youth camp! Middle and high schoolers get to stay up later doing nighttime recreation and fun, then sleep in a little later. Youth get a little more freedom during Night Owl to socialize and enjoy the outdoors in less structured ways.
Elementary Camp is a general camp session where elementary-aged campers do a little bit of everything that Living River offers!
Creative Camp still offers all the recreation opportunities found in the other camp sessions, but more time is spent on creative activities than in the other sessions. Campers choose a musical or fine art (possibly creative writing, dancing, or art) to focus on during the week. Campers then get the opportunity to perform with their creative small group or show their art during the end-of-session variety show! Living River has offered hand bells, ukulele, dancing, creative writing, painting, and theatre in past summers. Campers also work with a guest art teacher on an advanced art project throughout the week that they get to take home.
Click through the slideshow below for some visual representations of summer camp at Living River:
|
|
Click here to register for summer camp. For more information, check out Living River's summer camp packets and the videos below:
With additional questions about Living River summer camp, please reach out to our Assistant Director, Rachel Mathews!
|
|
|
