Expect the unexpected
At Totally Awesome Random Fun (TARF), we take on all of the usual camp fun with a “TARF Twist”. This week will be filled with zany, wacky games, and surprises that delight and inspire. Every week at camp is filled with randomness, but at TARF we kick the random up a notch. Last summer we met real kangaroos, jumped around in a bouncehouse, and did “random acts of kindness” around camp! You’ll never guess what random fun we’ll have this summer!
TARF has been a success for decades on end, and we cherish the spontaneous joy of being together in Christian community. Of course, while the randomness rules, we work hard to make sure each camper is building friendships and getting the full experience of Christian community that is so important to their week of camp. So, if your campers would like to snack in a treehouse, play in a creek, and have Bible Discovery in the most random places, this is the program for them!
Our Goals for every camper
Our goal for all overnight campers is to create an environment where they can THRIVE:
Try new experiences
Camp is great exposure to new people, news skills, and new challenges.
Hear Good News
We are here to share in the joy of knowing and following Jesus Christ!
Reset and Renew
We work hard to create a place where campers can be themselves, unplug from devices, and rest.
Inspire One Another
Community experiences and culture creation are intentional, key aspects of every week.
Value Themselves
Campers learn they can do more than they thought possible by learning and growing all week long.
Explore Possibilites
Campers are encouraged to ask questions about their faith, their future, and their world.
Why TARF Keeps Campers Coming Back
TARF works because underneath all the randomness is a program built on genuine community. The zany games and daily surprises break down barriers fast. Kids who might normally take a few days to warm up are laughing together by the first evening. When you're chasing a rubber duck across a lake or playing gaga with ridiculous rules, there's no room for shyness.
That's the real magic of TARF. The randomness is the vehicle, but the destination is always connection. Campers build friendships, grow in confidence, and experience the joy of being part of something delightfully unpredictable. It's been working for decades, and every summer brings new TARF moments that become part of the legend.
WHERE YOU'LL STAY
Campers stay in the Raab Retreat Lodge, a two-story lodge on Gretna Glen's main campus. The Lodge has bunk-style housing with restrooms in the building. It feels more like home than traditional cabins, which is ideal for the 6-9 age group.
This is a mainsite program. Campers eat meals in the Dining Hall and have access to all of Gretna Glen's main campus facilities.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
This is a shortened week running over the July 4th holiday weekend. Campers can arrive Sunday evening (5-7 PM) or Monday morning (7:30-9:00 AM). Pick-up is Thursday, 5-6 PM.
Gretna Glen is ACA-accredited, meeting over 300 health, safety, and quality standards. Staff are trained specifically for the 6-9 age group. The Lodge setting with in-building restrooms is chosen for this age group's comfort.
Flexible Drop-Off
Because this session starts over 4th of July weekend, families can choose Sunday evening (5-7 PM) or Monday morning (7:30-9 AM) drop-off. Pick whichever works best for your holiday plans.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
- Kids ages 6-9 who love surprises, silliness, and spontaneous fun
- Returning campers who already know TARF is the highlight of their summer
- First-time campers who need a program so fun they forget to be nervous
- Families looking for a shorter session that fits around the July 4th weekend