a day in the life

The day for our campers begins at 7:15 as they wake and, alongside their counselors, prepare for the day. As they finish their "rise and shine" routine, they are welcome to join program staff in the main building for a morning video and to receive their morning medications from the nurse. Campers will spend the morning outside raising the flag, doing stretches and exercises, and working with staff to memorize the Bible verse of the day, before they gather in the dining room for Breakfast.


After breakfast, campers will attend a full morning of activities including games, crafts, music, and Bible time. Games include activities like adaptive archery, bocce ball on our Special-Olympic-sized, wheelchair-accessible courts, pedal carts, and more. Lunch is served at 12:30 and, as with every meal at Shepherds Camp, food is prepared exactly as each camper's diet requires. We provide full, cut, chopped, puree, thickened, as well as any additional modifications required.


After lunch, campers return to their cabin or dorm to rest until Snack Shop opens at 2:30. All campers receive a snack and drink before they choose their afternoon activity. Campers are welcome to rest in our main building to color, listen to music, and play games like Pool and Air Hockey. They may choose to head out to the blacktop to swing, play basketball, play mini golf, or color with chalk. The favorite afternoon activity always seems to be relaxing at our spring-fed lake. Campers wade in the shallow end, swim in the deep end after passing their swim test, go out on a paddle boat, or rest in our new pavilion overlooking the water, all under the supervision of an American Red Cross certified life guard. After a full afternoon, campers head in for dinner, followed by a group activity like camper-counselor kickball, dance party, or the long-awaited talent show. The evening slows into chapel hour where campers sing together and hear a Bible Story or welcome a special guest. Special Guests include puppets, chalk artists, a musical saw, and more. After chapel, campers receive their evening snack and medication, and head to their cabins or dorms to get ready to sleep and start again the next day!