Their Very First Overnight Camp Adventure!
Join us for a three-night adventure packed with fun! No matter if your child is a first-time camper or returning, this program is an excellent introduction to “dip their toe in the water” at summer camp. In this shortened week (SUN-WED), campers will have the opportunity to go through rotations of all the great camp activities like boating, crafts, waterslide, swimming, and nature exploration. The evenings are full of special events, game time, and campfires. It’s a great time for younger campers to make new friends in a small community and explore a bit of independence away from home in a Christ-centered environment.
Part of what makes this program such a successful camper experience is our accommodations at the Raab Lodge which feel a little more like home for our younger ones. Paired with outstanding volunteer counselors who are often parents (or grandparents) themselves, and our amazing summer staff, these campers have a blast learning all about camp community and how they can persevere through a half week away from home.
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 This Program Works for Younger Campers
Three nights is the sweet spot for this age group. It's long enough for campers to settle in, make friends, and experience real independence. It's short enough that homesickness stays manageable and families don't feel like they're making too big a leap. Most campers arrive nervous on Sunday and leave on Wednesday morning already asking when they can come back.
The Raab Retreat Lodge plays a big role in that success. Unlike traditional cabins, the Lodge is a two-story building with bunk-style housing and restrooms right in the building. It feels more familiar to younger campers, and the proximity to bathrooms means less worry at night for kids and parents alike. Volunteer counselors, many of whom are parents themselves, understand the needs of this age group in a way that builds trust quickly.
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 a traditional cabin, which makes it ideal for younger and first-time campers.
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 program runs two sessions: GL30 (June 28 - July 1) and GL60 (July 19-22). Both are Sunday through Wednesday with an 11 AM pick-up on the final day.
Volunteer counselors are often parents or grandparents who understand the needs of younger campers. Combined with trained summer staff, your camper is in experienced, caring hands.
Gretna Glen is ACA-accredited, meeting over 300 health, safety, and quality standards. This program is designed for first-time campers, and homesickness support is built into the staff training.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
- Young campers (ages 6-9) ready for their very first overnight experience
- Families looking for a shorter, less intimidating introduction to overnight camp
- Returning campers who loved their first year and want to do it again
- Kids who want all the camp fun in a setting that feels safe and familiar