Summer Day Camp 2023

REGISTer here! PARENT INFORMATION    

Registration will be opening March 6th at 12 noon!

The freedom, fun, and individual growth of summer camp is so essential.  Arkansas Outdoor School’s Summer Day Camp provides a variety of outdoor activities and theme-based programming aimed at developing the heads, hearts, hands, and health of our young campers. 

Camp is open to youth ages 8 - 13, and will run throughout the the summer, from June 5th - July 28th! 

Each week will feature a specific theme, from wilderness skills and pioneer life to exploring adventure sports.  Program activities will be based around each week's theme, and students will leave with new friends, new skills, and new experiences.  There will be two weeks this summer where we offer a shorter program, focusing more intensely on a specific topic (such as the science of gardening or a focus on water resources and recreation).  We are eager to share not only the traditional camp experiences with you, but programming you won’t see anywhere else, delivered with the quality and energy you have come to expect from Arkansas Outdoor School and 4-H!  With all our 5-day sessions, campers will have a chance to enjoy these core 4-H activities: canoeing, archery, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, and creative arts.

We are located at the  C.A. Vines 4-H Center  in West Little Rock, with more than 220 acres of fields, forests, creeks, and a lake for summer fun.  We can't wait to find out which camp is right for you!  

Dates and Rates - 2023

Tiered Pricing

We realize that families have differing abilities to meet the costs of our program, so AOS offers a three-tier pricing structure.  This is a voluntary system in which families have the freedom to pick the tier that is most affordable for them.  Paying higher tiers helps cover expenses so that more families can afford camp.  

TIER 1: This tier represents our historically subsidized rate and does not reflect the full operating cost of camp.

TIER 2: This tier represents a partially subsidized fee.

TIER 3: This tier more closely reflects the actual operating cost of a camp, including materials costs, staff salaries, and fees to the 4-H Center.  

Early Arrival: We offer an early arrival option (7:30 a.m. drop off) for $10/day.  

Theme Descriptions

Outdoor Adventure Camp - Are you ready to step outside of your comfort zone just a little? Do you love the thrill of new and exciting experiences?  Well, we have a camp just for you!  Fast-paced, high-energy activities are the order of the day for this camp.  Rock climbing on our 40-foot outdoor tower, riding on a zip line through the trees, orienteering, geocaching, and canoe racing are just a few of the fun things we have in store for our campers.  Come have an adventure this summer!

Wilderness Skills Camp - This camp is more than just a walk in the park.  If you have ever wanted to learn how to backpack, build shelters, cook a meal over an open fire, or even how to survive in the wild, then this is the camp for you.  Experienced wilderness instructors will teach campers the tools and techniques for navigating, surviving, and thriving in the wilderness.  Throw in archery, animal identification, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, and hiking for a wildly good time!

Science in Action Camp - This camp is all about investigating, discovering, exploring, and experimenting all session long.  Each day, campers will focus on a different scientist and conduct experiments central to his or her scientific contributions!  Students will learn about ecology and water-health, electricity and renewable energy, as well as rocketry and laws of motion!   Add in our regular "core" activities of canoeing, rock climbing, and daily swim time, and you have a great opportunity to combine fun, friendship, and learning.

Adventure Sports Camp  - Come play all day in this 4-day session! Whether it’s ultimate frisbee, disc golf, kickball, water balloon volleyball, tennis, basketball, or other games from around the world, this camp emphasizes cooperation, sportsmanship, communication, and fitness!  If you like to play sports and games of all kinds, then this is your kind of camp.

Critter Camp - If you love creatures, then this is the camp for you!  This science-based exploration of Arkansas wildlife is bound to capture your interest.  Students will be asking questions, observing wildlife, exploring habitats, and learning about the ecological systems all around them!  All while enjoying our traditional camp activities like climbing, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and archery.

Young Pioneers Camp - Not just learning history, but living it! Campers will enter into the life of an early Arkansan, experiencing the daily routine of a pioneer and learning the skills necessary to settle an untamed land.  This course will be based out of our Pioneer Cabin where students will be learning how to create and build fires, cook over a campfire, make soap and candles, as well as other essential pioneer skills.  Don’t worry, we will still have the modern amenities of running water and electricity for some of those essential conveniences.  

Greatest Hits Camp - As our last camp of the season, we are bringing out the Greatest Hits!  Throughout the summer, we will ask every camper to vote for their favorite activities.  These fan favorites will be included in our Greatest Hits camp.  This camp  promises to be an awesome time, full of fun and adventure.  Come see which activities make the cut.