Junior Camp Program

Junior Camp is six days long, offering the perfect introduction to camp for families looking for a shorter “sampler camp” session.

Helping boys have fun and build confidence away from home is the central focus. Enrollment is limited to campers in grades 1-4.

Boys sample traditional camp activities and stay with their cabin groups during the Junior Camp session. The daily schedule includes Falling Creek traditions, such as Morning Watch, Morning Assembly, free choice times, rest hour, Evening Program, and milk and cookies. Boys will have the opportunity to sample about 16-18 traditional camp activities during the session. The final evening of camp concludes with a traditional Campfire.

How do we help first time campers feel at home?

We intentionally limit the number of boys in the Junior Camp session so there is a higher staff to camper ratio. Junior Campers get more individual attention and instruction. Since Junior Camp takes place in August, the camp counselors have a full summer of experience and training they’re bringing to this session.

Our Junior Camp session focuses on first time campers in grades 1 through 4, and this session provides the structure younger boys need.

Counselors walk with campers from one activity to the next so your son will always be supervised. Days are full of fun activity so boys don’t get bored. Bedtime is earlier in this session so everyone gets their rest.

Is my son ready to go to camp?

We’ve found that a 1 week session (6 days) is a good length to be away from home for the first time, but still long enough for your son to discover the self-confidence that comes from being away from Mom & Dad.

Not sure which session to choose? Check out our blog article: “Which Camp Session is the Right Length for my Child?”

What if he doesn’t know anyone at camp?

You might worry that it will be hard to make friends if your son is a first-time-camper. However, most boys at Junior Camp are coming for the first time, without knowing anyone else at Falling Creek.

This gives the boys in this session the unique opportunity to expand their comfort zones and get to know other campers in a similar stage of life to them.

Campers do everything together as a cabin so no one feels left out. Boys eat together, play together, and sleep together.

How do I know Falling Creek is the right fit?

Falling Creek partners with parents to equip young men with principled character to last a lifetime. You can read more about our values and how we live by the The Falling Creek Code at camp.

Still not sure? Read our “Why Junior Camp” blog post.

In that short amount of time there was some kind of change in him that is almost indescribable. He came home noticeably more confident, more thoughtful, deep thinking, polite, and full of stories of things he did or witnessed that were so impactful. Our experience and our son’s experience was better than we ever imagined. We thought he was “just” going to summer camp, but truly it was so much more than that. He seemed to mature so much in his time there, which sounds a bit extreme because it was a short stay. But truly there have been many people in our circle who have noted this about him. We can’t wait to see what the future will look like for him at Falling Creek.

Mary Paige and Jonathan, Raleigh NC

Junior Camp Highlights!

It’s an action-packed week of fun! Check out some of the highlights from our 2021 Junior Camp.

More 2021 Videos

Typical Activities

  • Archery
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Blacksmithing
  • Climbing Wall
  • Disc Golf
  • F.A.R.M.
  • Field Sports
  • Fishing
  • Flag Football
  • Free Choice Time
  • Horseback Riding
  • Nature
  • Outdoor Skills
  • Paddling
  • Pickleball
  • Riflery
  • Swimming
  • Woodworking

Out-of-camp trips and adventure activities are not offered in Junior Camp.

Reasons to Attend Junior Camp

  • It eases your son into a longer 2, 3, or 4 week session
  • Boys who attend the Junior Camp session earn “returning camper priority” during the priority application period in future summers. (This will give them priority for sessions such as the popular 2-Week Camp session, which is currently on a waitlist!)
  • Campers sample 16-18 different traditional camp activities, and stay with their cabin groups during the Junior Camp session.
  • Experience activities and non-traditional sports that they may not be able to do at home
  • Having fun and building confidence away from home is the central focus.
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