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 Info

Manage your Tahkodah account

Rent a Cabin

Needed to 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 1st. 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.

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.

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.

2024 Dates & Fees

Session	Dates	Fee	Ages
1	June 2-7 (1 week)	$310	8-18 yrs
2	June 9-21 (2 weeks)	$510	8-18 yrs
3	June 23 - July 5 (2 weeks)	$510	8-18 yrs
4	July 7-19 (2 weeks)	$510	8-18 yrs
5	July 21-26 (1 week)	$310	8-18 yrs

Forms

Camp Tahkodah Packing List pdf

Permission to Leave Camp pdf

Counselor Duties pdf

Counselor Reference pdf

Counselor Application pdf

Daily Schedule

7:20	Rise and shine, flag raising, clean cabins
8:00	Breakfast, devotional and announcements, med call
8:30	Clean up areas; prayer time
8:45	Singing at gym
9:15	Bible Class
10:00	Canteen
10:15	Activity Period # 1 (Nature, Sports, Water, Crafts & Games)
11:15	Activity Period # 2
12:15	Prepare for lunch; mail call
12:30	Lunch
1:00	Quiet Time
2:00	Sharing time
2:30	Activity Period # 3
3:45	Canteen
4:00	Activity Period # 4
5:15	Prepare for supper; assemble at logs
5:30	Supper
6:45	Evening activity
8:30	canteen & evening devotional
9:15	To cabins for showers and cabin prayers; med call
10:00	Lights out

Wish List

Camp Tahkodah could benefit from receiving the following items. If you’d like to donate one of these items or help us obtain them, we would appreciate it. Your gift can be tax deductible.

Scholarships for campers who need a little help
A new tractor
Resurfacing of the tennis courts

Wishlist donations for any purpose can be made via the Tahkodah Donation site.

Cabin Rentals

Cabins are available for rental at Camp Tahkodah from August through May when summer camp is not in session. We also offer packages for reserving the entire campground for events such as retreats and weddings. Reservations can be made through the link above. Guests can also pay a $5 day use fee to enjoy the campground when not renting a cabin if the campground is not reserved for other events.

Rent a Cabin

Jason and Beckie Clark live at Camp Tahkodah year-round. Jason is the camp caretaker, and Beckie is Tahkodah’s rentals coordinator. If you need assistance, you can contact them at 870-251-1289 or at rclark5@harding.edu.

Rental dates are not confirmed until a deposit has been received and you have received verification.

Directions to Camp pdf