At Camp Dovewood, a premier Christian Girls Summer Camp in North Florida, girls are offered an opportunity to nurture their faith and love for exciting outdoor activities like horseback riding. With Christ at the center of everything we do, Camp Dovewood creates an environment where girls experience both physical and spiritual growth.
Let's dive into the elements that make Christian girls' summer camps appealing to parents and campers by blending faith, fun, and personal growth while exploring the key features that set these camps apart, followed by a closer look at what we offer young girls at Camp Dovewood!
The Foundation of Faith at a Christian Girls Summer Camp
Christ-Centered Activities
Christian girls' summer camp activities often revolve around a faith-based schedule. Many camps start the day with chapel or devotional time, allowing campers to focus on their faith and prepare spiritually for the day ahead. Whether it's through worship, prayer, or reflection, these moments help campers deepen their relationship with Christ while connecting with peers who share similar values.
Throughout the day, Christian principles are woven into every activity. Campers are encouraged to practice kindness, empathy, and respect for one another, cultivating an atmosphere of love and support. This integration of faith into daily camp life helps foster personal growth as girls learn to apply Christian values in real-life situations.
Spiritual and Emotional Growth Through a Faith-Based Community
The community aspect of Christian girls' summer camps is another vital component. These camps create a safe, nurturing environment where girls can form deep connections with their peers, mentors, and God. Through shared experiences, campers develop a sense of belonging and camaraderie that enriches their spiritual journey.
Being surrounded by like-minded individuals on their own faith journeys provides a strong foundation for spiritual growth. These bonds often last long after camp ends, as girls leave with lasting friendships grounded in shared beliefs.This sense of community also teaches girls important lessons about mutual respect, teamwork, and Christian fellowship, which can help them form deeper, more meaningful relationships in all areas of life.
A Holistic Approach to Growth: Mind, Body, and Spirit
A Wide Range of Activities for Well-Rounded Development
Christian camps offer a diverse array of activities that go beyond typical summer camp offerings. While the spiritual foundation is central, these camps also ensure that campers have plenty of opportunities to explore and develop new skills. Whether through sports, arts and crafts, swimming, or music, each activity is designed to challenge girls and help them grow.
Team sports and physical challenges teach discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, while creative activities like drama, painting, or music help girls explore their talents. Each girl can choose activities that align with her interests while also being encouraged to try new things, fostering both personal growth and self-discovery.
Exploring God's Creation Through Outdoor Adventures
One of the most exciting parts of any summer camp is spending time in nature; Christian girls' camps are no different. Many camps offer outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, or river rafting, where campers can experience the beauty of God's creation firsthand. These activities not only provide fun and excitement but also serve as a reminder of the wonder and majesty of the natural world, reinforcing the camp's spiritual focus.
The Role of Mentorship in Christian Girls Summer Camps
Born-Again Christian Counselors as Role Models
The counselors at Camp Dovewood are college students or recent graduates who are strong in their Christian faith. As born-again Christians, they serve as role models for the younger campers, demonstrating what it looks like to live out their faith in everyday situations. These counselors not only guide campers through activities but also offer spiritual guidance, modeling Christ-like behavior in all they do.
This mentorship is key to the transformative experience that Christian girls' camps offer. By being surrounded by counselors who lead by example, campers learn to incorporate their faith into their own lives, gaining inspiration and wisdom from those who have walked similar paths.
What Sets Camp Dovewood Apart From Other Christian Girls Summer Camps
Accredited and Comprehensive Riding Program
Camp Dovewood is accredited by both the American Camping Association and the Certified Horsemanship Association, making it a leader in equestrian education among Christian summer camps. The camp's riding program offers English and Western riding instruction, allowing campers to choose the discipline that best suits their interests and abilities. Whether a girl is just starting out or has been riding for years, our program has something for every experience level.
Our four certified instructors work with campers to teach them how to ride and care for horses. The program covers various topics, including ring instruction, trail rides, rodeo, dressage, grooming, stable management, and even basic vet care taught by a local veterinarian. Campers learn to care for the horses as part of their daily routine, building responsibility and leadership skills. Girls also have the opportunity to participate in horse shows, where they can showcase their skills in a fun and supportive environment and take overnight trail rides to the Suwannee River!
In addition to our renowned equestrian program, Camp Dovewood offers a wide range of activities that cater to every girl's interests. There's something for everyone! The girls select seven activities to participate in each day, ensuring a well-rounded experience supporting their physical and spiritual growth.
Aquatics and Water Activities
For girls who love the water, swimming is a popular choice. Certified lifeguards teach stroke techniques and safety skills, helping each girl grow more confident in the pool. Additional water activities include water ballet, river rafting, and recreational swimming, offering campers a fun and refreshing way to explore aquatic skills.
Creative Arts
Art classes offer hands-on experiences in pottery, crafts, jewelry making, and drawing, allowing girls to express their creativity in unique ways. Music is also a favorite, where campers receive voice instruction, learn Christian songs, and gain the confidence to perform in front of an audience. Photography provides another artistic outlet, helping campers capture memories and develop their visual skills.
Sports and Physical Fitness
Dovewood’s sports programs help girls stay active and develop new skills. Tennis takes place on two full-size courts under the guidance of a certified instructor, while softball offers fun lessons in stance, catching, and throwing. Soccer and volleyball, taught by varsity-level instructors, emphasize teamwork, techniques, and the enjoyment of the sport. Cheerleading, led by college varsity cheerleaders, allows girls to learn cheers, stunts, and build confidence on the field. Girls can also explore archery with certified instructors using curved and compound bows.
Dance and Performance Arts
For girls interested in the performing arts, ballet classes cover fundamental techniques and praise dancing, with opportunities for creative choreography and performances. Gymnastics provides individualized instruction on the mats, helping each camper build strength and flexibility. Drama classes boost self-esteem as girls learn skits, create props, and practice public speaking in a fun, supportive environment.
Faith and Leadership Development
Spiritual growth and leadership are at the heart of Camp Dovewood. Bible study sessions allow girls to connect biblical teachings with their own lives, while Christian Leadership Classes offer guidance on living out their faith. In Great Books, campers explore Christian fiction and non-fiction, discussing characters, themes, and the relevance of each story to their lives.
Many Christian camps offer the basics, but Camp Dovewood goes beyond. Our diverse offerings make camp fun and help foster personal growth by encouraging girls to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and develop skills they might not have known they had.
While many Christian girls' summer camps may align with a specific denomination, Camp Dovewood takes an interdenominational approach, allowing girls from various Christian backgrounds to come together as Sisters-in-Christ. This interdenominational model encourages campers to appreciate the diversity of Christian practices while focusing on the shared core of their faith—Christ as Lord.
This approach creates an inclusive environment where girls can learn from one another and celebrate their shared faith. It also helps girls to develop a deeper understanding of Christian fellowship as they witness different expressions of worship and faith traditions.
Enroll Your Daughter at Camp Dovewood Today!
A typical day begins at 7:00 AM as campers organize their cabins, followed by chapel, where individual cabins perform songs and skits to bring the camp community together in worship. After a hearty breakfast, campers dive into their four pre-selected morning activities, including horseback riding, gymnastics, cheerleading, and more. With over two dozen exciting activities to choose from, every girl can find something she loves!
After lunch and a restful break, the campers continue their three remaining activities. Dinner is served at 6:00 PM, followed by evening entertainment like talent shows, skits, and games, with lights out at 9:30 PM for younger girls and 10:00 PM for older girls.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the schedule shifts to group-wide adventures like trail rides, river rafting, recreational swimming, and time spent enjoying fellowship with others.
Ready to give your daughter the summer of a lifetime? Visit us online to view camp dates, rates, and important information like what to bring and necessary forms. You can contact us at (386)935-0863 or email [email protected] to learn more and reserve her spot today!