Camp Tahkodah

Camp Tahkodah is about faith, fun and friendship. It is a place to be outdoors and enjoy nature, a place to learn and grow with people who love the Lord and are living daily for him, a place to make new friends and have lots of fun. The 1,350-acre camp is owned and operated by Harding University. Its location in the Ozark Mountains provides beautiful bluffs, quiet valleys, a spring-fed creek and wooded hiking trails. Campers enjoy daily outdoor Bible classes, horseback riding, swimming, softball, basketball, ping pong, tennis, hayrides, archery, volleyball, crafts, canoeing, fishing, picnics, hikes, Bible bees, talent nights, hymn sings and inspirational devotionals under the stars.

Tahkodah is a special place where children and teens find friends, fun and faith. I hope you will be a part of it.

Travis McNeal, Director

Registration

Register Online

Manage your Tahkodah account

Rent a Cabin

Secure a Camper’s Reservation

• a completed registration form (online)
• a signed medical form (online)
• a deposit of $150 (cash, check or online credit card payment)

Note: Reservations and preference of session will be accepted in the order they are received until camp is filled to 179 campers per session. The camp fee includes all meals, lodging in rustic log cabins, crafts, class materials, T-shirt, canteen and use of all facilities.

Deposit and Confirmation

Deposit nonrefundable after May 1. If confirmation is not received within two weeks, contact tahkodah@harding.edu or 501-279-4CAMP.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, creed or national origin.

Session Begins

Check-in is Sunday 1-4 p.m. Swim tests: boys at 2 p.m., girls at 3:30 p.m. Changes in cabin assignments will be considered only after all campers are checked in.

Session Ends

All sessions end on Friday morning. Please pick up campers between 9 and 11 a.m. Gates will be locked until 9 a.m. Early departures disrupt camp activities. Exceptions must be arranged in advance with Director.

Camp Store

Open during check-in, pick-up and visitor Sunday. Credit in the camp store can be purchased on check-in day.

Mail, Visits and Departures

• Camp will deliver letters to campers and one package per week only, please (mailed or left at registration).
• Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The normal schedule resumes at 4 p.m. We are not equipped for visitors at other times. Exceptions require approval of the Director prior to arrival.
• No pets please.
• Taking campers from camp for sports events is discouraged.
• Under no circumstances will campers be allowed to leave camp with someone other than a parent without a consent form bearing a parent’s signature (See Forms section below).
• To leave camp, campers must be signed out/in at the dining hall.

What to Bring

Bible, journal, sports clothing (shorts must be below mid-thigh — no Soffe or spandex — no tank tops or cut-off shirts), swimsuit (one-piece or tankinis only), cover-up and flip flops to wear to the waterfront, toilet articles, towels, twin-size bedding and pillow (nights can be cool), flashlight, water bottle, laundry bag, non-menthol shaving cream (to be used only at shaving cream fight), long pants (to ride horses and cool weather), jacket, insect repellent and electric fan. Tennis shoes are required for sports and hikes. Personal sports gear is optional. Camp provides tennis, softball and fishing equipment. Snacks must be in plastic sealed boxes. No coolers. We are not responsible for lost items.

What Not to Bring

Magazines, knives, fireworks and electronics of any kind — including cell phones and iPods — are not allowed at camp. Digital cameras used for vulgar purposes will be confiscated and not returned. Valuable personal items should be left at home. Campers do not need money during camp. Camp Store will open on Sunday afternoons and during Friday departures from 9-11 a.m. Slideshow DVDs, mugs, sweatshirts, etc., may be purchased then. Money for store purchases may be left at registration if you will not be with your child when the store is open.

Christian Environment

Alcohol, tobacco, immodest dress, profanity, stealing, lewd behavior of any kind, and disruptive and uncooperative attitudes or behavior are not allowed at camp. Campers not willing to obey rules of conduct will be asked to leave.

Laundry

Laundry service is provided free for campers in the middle of two-week sessions only. All personal belongings should be well-marked, and each camper should have enough clothing to make one laundry visit sufficient. There is no special-care laundry.

Directions

Take Highway 67 to Exit 55. Proceed north on 167 to Pleasant Plains. Turn left onto Highway 87, and follow it west for approximately 6 miles. Turn right on Camp Tahkodah Road. The camp is 3 miles ahead on the right.

Directions to Camp pdf

Camp Staff

Camp Tahkodah is directed by Travis McNeal. An enthusiastic group of college students serve as counselors, and volunteer adults serve as Bible class teachers. Our staff always includes a medical professional who serves as the "camp nurse." We are 20 miles from the doctor and hospital in Batesville and 35 miles from Searcy. The camp physician is just a phone call away. Our entire staff works together to make your child’s stay at camp a safe, enjoyable and spiritually profitable experience.

Director: Travis McNeal

Assistant Director - Administration: Meleah McNeal

Assistant Director - Programming: Brian Jones

Caretaker: Jason Clark

Rental Coordinator: Beckie Clark