Activities
Cedarkirk offers a variety of activities suitable to different age groups and programs. Include a peaceful canoe trip on your family retreat; plan a challenge course session to facilitate team building on a staff retreat; open up the pool for a few hours to give all ages in your group the chance to play and fellowship together. All of our activities encourage your group to spend time outdoors and take advantage of the beautiful creation as individuals or as a group, in both adventurous and relaxing ways.
Most of the activities are available year round. Activities marked with an asterisk (*) require facilitation by Cedarkirk staff to ensure safety. These asterisked activities (with the exception of swimming) also require a signed consent form (Individual Form | Family Form). Participation on the High Ropes Challenge Course requires a unique signed consent form. All activities require advance notice, so please indicate the activities your group wishes to use by either marking them on your reservation form or contacting our Event Coordinator. Since many of our activities are weather permitting, keep in mind that some activities may have to be cancelled at the discretion of our staff during your stay.
Swimming*: Cedarkirk’s unique Y-shaped swimming pool is ideal for all ages, as the three prongs simultaneously allow for a cannonball contest in the deep end, a pool volleyball match, and simply wading and chatting. The pool deck features plenty of lounge chairs for those who are more interested in just soaking up the sun. The pool is open at predetermined times during the warmer months, and lifeguards are provided. The pool is typically closed from mid November to late March depending on the water temperature. Special hours may be arranged to suit your group’s needs.
Canoeing*: The Alafia River flows right through Cedarkirk’s property, giving our guests the opportunity to launch their canoes upstream and float back right back to our site. Our staff will drive your group the short trip up to Alderman’s Ford Nature Preserve where you will begin your canoe trip. Enjoy the winding 2-3 mile trip back down to Cedarkirk and get a full dose of Florida’s natural, tropical landscape. If your group is interested in a shorter trip, we can arrange a canoe trip at Medard Resevoir, a 15-minute drive from camp.
Climbing Wall*: Cedarkirk’s climbing wall is 25 feet tall, with four auto-belayed climbing routes. The four climbing routes vary in difficulty providing challenge for novice or experienced climbers. The auto-belay system ensures safety for each guest as well as speedy transitions between climbers – meaning you’ll have plenty of time to climb as much as you want! (Participants must be 40 lbs. or greater.)
Zip Lining*: Cedarkirk has a tower zip line that sends guests down from a 20-foot tower. Get strapped into a harness and experience the butterflies in your stomach as you take the first step off of the platform. The zip tower provides excitement and squeals for all ages as you let your feet dangle and feel the wind in your hair.
Archery*: Approach the line! Pick up your bow! Knock your first arrow! Fire! The Cedarkirk archery range helps all ages practice their bow and arrow skills and have a great time doing it. With different sized bows to suit both children and adults, everyone can have a chance to shoot at one of our targets and maybe even get a bullseye! (It is recommended that participants be 3rd grade or older.)
Initiatives (Team-building) Course*: Nothing puts your group’s communication and teamwork skills to the test quite like making them all cram onto a tiny platform or solve a challenge! The initiatives course provides a variety of elements and tasks that a trained facilitator presents to your group to solve. These elements are designed to challenge your group’s minds and bodies, as you must work together to complete your task. Debriefs following each activity allow your group to intentionally discuss your group dynamic and the ways these successes and failures can be applied to everyday life. (This activity is recommended for participants 12 and older.)
High Ropes Challenge Course*: Take your group on an extreme adventure that will offer the opportunity to grow both as individuals and as a community. Our High Ropes Course consists of 15 challenge elements suspended 24 feet in the air, allowing individuals to choose their own elements according to their comfort level. The challenge course provides a unique opportunity for individuals to take risks, learn more about themselves, and hopefully grow from the experience. Trained high ropes facilitators lead your climb; participants must be 12 and older. The High Ropes Challenge Course does require a signed consent form available here.
Campfire: Every camp retreat needs a campfire! Build a cozy fire in one of our many campfire circles, and take advantage of the time to sing songs, share old memories, laugh, and, of course – roast a marshmallow. Schedule our staff to teach your group songs and stories or feel free to let your group members share their own. S’mores ingredients and roasting sticks can be provided if requested in advance.
Sand Volleyball: The sand volleyball court, located conveniently in between the pool and the Pavilion, provides an easy and fun activity for all ages. Want a different volleyball experience? Turn on our blacklights and enjoy a late night game of blacklight volleyball!
Field Games: Amory Field is a large, multi-purpose field that provides a perfect location for games such as capture the flag, softball, and ultimate frisbee. Surrounded by our newly installed disc golf course, Amory field offers a great site for group free time. We have many Frisbees and balls available for your group to use, as well as Bocce Ball and Cornhole supplies.
GaGa Ball: This area is a favorite spot at camp where groups can gather to play an exciting round of GaGa ball! It is located near the Pavilion with lighting nearby to accommodate play day or night.
Disc Golf: The most recent addition to our activities is a 9-hole disc golf course! Scattered along our trails between the Pine Fire Circle and Amory Field, these baskets provide a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Encourage individuals in your group to stop by our office to get a map of the course and a disc, or make a group tournament out of it!
The Labyrinth: Ancient spiritual tools of the early church, labyrinths were designed to help facilitate our journey as Christians. Our outdoor labyrinth provides the opportunity for your group’s participants to spend time praying, walking, and meditating on their faith journey and their walk with God. The Labyrinth can be booked for your group or simply offered as an individual activity throughout your group’s stay.
The Prayer Garden: Adjacent to the Labyrinth, the Prayer Garden serves as one of our outdoor worship spaces for groups and for individual quiet times. A tucked away cluster of benches facing a cross and surrounded by the sounds of creaking bamboo trees, the Prayer Garden provides a meditative and peaceful environment.
Sanctuary in the Woods: The Chapel in the Woods, located near Amory Field and the Initiatives course, provides another outdoor worship space for our guests. Complete with benches and a cross, it has also been the site of weddings and special events. Surrounded by tall trees and endless shades of green, groups worshipping in this Chapel feel connected to both creation and the Creator.