Ferncliff’s Mission Team Program gives teams a variety of outreach experiences while based at 1200 acre camp known for its commitment to mission, sustainability and creative programming. Ferncliff is home to the 10,000 sq. ft. Disaster Assistance Center, the PC(USA) National Volunteer Call Center, and Solar School where laypeople come to learn how to install solar energy systems in low income communities.

Download the Ferncliff Mission Team Information document

Generally, Mission Teams will arrive Sunday evening and depart Saturday morning (though some groups opt to leave on Friday). Monday is reserved for groups to work in Ferncliff’s Disaster Assistance center. This work involves inspecting and re-boxing Church World Service disaster kits so they can be shipped to communities recovering from disasters. Tuesday – Friday groups can select and make reservations to work full or partial days at various local service agencies: Jackson House Soup Kitchen, Arkansas Rice Depot, Habitat for Humanity Restore, Little Rock Compassion Center, Arkansas Food Bank Network, Heifer International Headquarters, Heifer Ranch, etc.

A typical week might look like:

Monday – Ferncliff’s DAC and solar vehicle tour of Ferncliff Camp

Tuesday – Jackson House Soup Kitchen 9:30–1:30 then Hot Springs National Park

Wednesday – Arkansas Rice Depot

Thursday – Habitat Restore in the morning and Heifer Ranch field trip in the afternoon

Friday – Little Rock Compassion Center

Group Size and Composition

Ideal size is 15-25 but we can accommodate larger groups depending on availability of additional lodging. If youth, 9^th grade and above with adult to youth ratio of 1:6.

Dates

Most groups come the first week of June through the first week of August. Groups usually arrive Sunday afternoon/evening and leave Saturday morning. Groups can arrive later or leave earlier, but the weekly rate will be the same. Other dates are also possible.

Lodging
The Ferncreek retreat house has 5 bedrooms, 24 beds (most are bunks), 3.5 baths, full kitchen, large dining area, washer/dryer, charcoal grill, large yard and basketball pad. The kitchen has pots, pans, plates, stove, refrigerator, silverware, dishwasher, microwave, coffeemaker, serving table. The house has wireless internet. Many of our mission teams have considered Ferncreek to be the best mission trip housing they have ever had.

Costs

$95 per person per week ($1000 minimum; not prorated for shortened weeks)
Costs related to preparing your own meals at the house
Any fees associated with education/recreation options off site paid directy to those agencies
$500 deposit due with contract and remainder can be paid while at camp
We welcome groups to bring a donation to purchase disaster kit supplies.

Things to do at Ferncliff

Ferncliff will have summer camp going on, but groups can schedule use of Ferncliff camp facilities/equipment around the camp schedule. Options include:

Shady Chute (120 foot slide)
Solar vehicle tour of Ferncliff
Hiking
Labyrinth
Chapel
Sand volleyball
Swimming
Taking part in camp evening activities (i.e. joining in capture the flag, etc.,) when it fits.