Expect the unexpected
Is it hard to pick a camp because you want to do it all, or you can't decide what you like to do? If so, this camp is for you! At Totally Awesome Random Fun (TARF) we take on all the usual camp fun with a “TARF Twist”. This program is always filled with surprises and joy, just like God's love for us. Each year, we work hard to develop new, wacky, and interesting games for campers who are up for unique experiences. So come and get a totally awesome random fun taste of everything camp has to offer! Last summer we met real kangaroos, jumped around in a bouncehouse, and randomly made “Campfire Cones” over the fire. You’ll never guess what random fun we’ll have next summer!
TARF II 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, hike 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 real 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 are chasing the plot of a brand new game nobody has rules for, there is no room for shyness.
That is 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 has been working for decades, and every summer adds new TARF moments that become part of the legend.
WHERE YOU'LL STAY
Campers stay in cabins on Gretna Glen's main campus. Cabins feature bunk beds, a changing area, and a modern shower house built in 2018. This is the classic camp experience, the kind of cabin week campers remember for years.
TARF II is a mainsite program. Campers eat meals in the Dining Hall and have full access to Gretna Glen's main campus facilities, from the lake to the meadow to the treehouse.
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 Friday, 5-6 PM.
Gretna Glen is ACA-accredited, meeting over 300 health, safety, and quality standards. Staff are trained specifically for this age group. The cabin setting and modern shower house make this the right fit for confident 9 to 12 year olds ready for a full cabin week.
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 9 to 12 who love surprises, silliness, and the joy of the unexpected
- Returning TARF campers ready to graduate from the 6 to 9 session into the full cabin experience
- First-time overnight campers who want a program so fun they forget to be nervous
- Families looking for a shorter session that fits around the July 4th weekend