Spark is a summer camp for students entering the 4th grade through 6th grade on the campus of Harding University. Campers come with their church groups or individually. Each day, campers will go to classes and hear speakers, with plenty of time devoted to recreation and entertainment as well. They stay in Harding's dormitories at night and eat in the campus cafeteria.
From worship to live drama, rock walls to basketball, card games to silly songs, Spark is sure to be a good time. Modeled after UPLIFT, Spark includes the same full staff plus activities taken from UPLIFT tailor made for a younger age group. The goal is to Spark a young child’s passion in participating in church life and summer camps in the future!
Chaperone Policy: If a church brings 4 or more students from the same congregation- one or more adult chaperones will need to stay with the group.
2025 Spark Schedule
June 8-11, 2025
Sunday, June 8
3-5 p.m. ………………………………Base Camp check in | Shores Hall lobby
5 p.m……………………………………...Daycampers check in/Nature quest
5:30-6:30 p.m…………………..Evening grub | The Caf
6:30 p.m……………………………….Welcome to Camp
7-8 p.m………………………………….Fireside praise | Cone Chapel
8-9 p.m…………………………………Team trail training
9 p.m………………………………………Campfire chat
9:30 p.m……………………………….Daycampers check out
10 p.m……………………………………..Lights out lodge
Monday, June 9
7:45-8:30 a.m……………………..Morning grub | The Caf
7:45 a.m…………………………………..Daycamper drop off
8:30-9:15 a.m……………………….Sunrise praise | Cone Chapel
9:15-9:30 a.m……………………….Trail time
9:30-11:45 a.m……………………..Adventures: create, learn, play
11:45-12:45 p.m……………………Afternoon grub | The Caf
12:45-1:30 p.m……………………..Cabin quiet time
1:30-3 p.m………………………………Splash and swim
3-3:30 p.m…………………………….Canteen
3:30-4:30 p.m……………………..Camp quest games
4:30-5 p.m…………………………….Spotlight prep
5-6 p.m……………………………………Evening grub | The Caf
6-7 p.m……………………………………Fireside praise| Cone Chapel
7-8 p.m……………………………………Campfire Illusions
8-9 p.m…………………………………..Wilderness games
9 p.m…………………………………………Campfire chat
9:30pm……………………………………Daycamper pick up
9:45pm…………………………………….Lights out lodge
Tuesday, June 10
7:45-8:30 a.m……………………..Morning grub | The Caf
7:45 a.m…………………………………..Daycamper drop off
8:30-9:15 a.m……………………….Sunrise praise | Cone Chapel
9:15-9:30 a.m……………………….Trail time
9:30-11:45 a.m……………………..Adventures: create, learn, play
11:45-12:45 p.m……………………Afternoon grub | The Caf
12:45-1:30 p.m…………………….Cabin quiet time
1:30-3 p.m……………………………..Splash and swim
3-3:30 p.m……………………………Canteen
3:30-4 p.m……………………………Spotlight prep
4-5:30 p.m…………………………...Camp spotlight
5:30-6:30 p.m…………………….Evening grub | The Caf
6:30-7:15 p.m………………………Fireside praise | Cone Chapel
7:30-9 p.m……………………………Trailblazer tag
9 p.m……………………………………….Campfire chat
9:30 p.m………………………………...Daycamper pick up
9:45 p.m…………………………………Lights out lodge
Wednesday, June 11
7:30-8:30 a.m………………………Morning grub | The Caf
8:30-9:30 a.m……………………...Sunrise praise| Cone Chapel
9:30 a.m…………………………………..Depart base camp
DRESS CODE:
Youth ministers and sponsors are responsible for their group (adults included) complying with the dress code for Spark. You should have a meeting with all participants and make sure they understand the dress code BEFORE they pack for Spark. The dress code will be enforced. If you have students or adults who are out of dress code, we will come to you or a sponsor to address the issue.
All clothing must have sleeves (guys and girls). Sleeveless clothing is not allowed under any circumstances, even recreation time. This includes sundresses, tank tops, sleeveless blouses, athletic shirts, and cut-off T-shirts.
No visible midriffs. Clothing that exposes any part of the mid-section when standing, sitting or bending over is not allowed. All tops should be long enough to be tucked in.
Shorts must be a modest length.
Skirts and dresses must be mid-thigh length.
Skin-tight or otherwise revealing clothing is not allowed. Low-cut shirts, spandex, tight jeans, halter tops, etc. are not acceptable. Leggings do not count as pants. If your outfit is against dress code without leggings, it is against dress code with them.
Spark Swim Time: All campers will need to wear a shirt and shorts as we walk to and from the pool area.
THE RULES:
Spark is a Christian camp and we ask that you be respectful of other campers, counselors, Harding students, employees and property.
Spark wristbands must be worn at all times and is your pass to events and meals.
Computers, laptops, televisions, radios, video games and expensive jewelry are not permitted at Spark. These items can be easily lost or stolen.
Spark campers must remain with a counselor in a group at all times. Remain on campus. Being caught purposefully off campus without permission will result in immediate expulsion from camp at the parents’ expense.
Fighting will not be tolerated. Profane and/or vulgar language is strictly forbidden.
Spark campers should comply with reasonable directions & requests of counselors and chaperones.
Campers are prohibited from participating in any conduct that constitutes any form of bullying or hazing. Conduct that constitutes bullying includes any activity or behavior in which a camper is threatened, harassed, personal property damaged, or intimidated by another camper in a manner that could reasonably cause a camper(s) to be or feel unsafe and/or in danger of physical injury. This includes cyber-bullying. A camper who believes he/she is a target of harassment, intimidation, or bullying must report such conduct immediately to any Spark counselor or chaperone. A prompt and thorough investigation of the alleged incident will be conducted, and appropriate corrective action will be taken. Any complaints of harassment, intimidation, or bullying will be treated as confidential to the extent consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action.
PACKING LIST:
Here's a handy little list of what to bring and what to leave behind.
Bring:
Bible, notebook, pen
Bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, sheets, blanket, etc.)
Towel and bathing suit (cover up or extra shorts/shirt to wear to and from pool area)
Personal hygiene articles (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant/antiperspirant, etc.)
Clothing appropriate to dress code, including clothes for outside recreation
Don't bring:
Computers, laptops, televisions, radios, video games, or nice jewelry. These items can be easily lost or stolen.
Roller blades, skateboards, water guns, water balloons, etc.
Tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or weapons of any kind will result in your expulsion from camp.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Campers do not need cell phones. If a camper is interested in bringing a phone, here are some rules we require.
Because we spend so much time connected digitally, we could all benefit from some time without those distractions. Jesus would often go to a quiet place to pray (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12). We also read in Psalm 46:10 that we need to “be still and know that I am God.”
It is our policy to discourage students from bringing their cell phones to Spark based on the good that comes from spending some time away from our “normal” lives. However, we also recognize that cell phones have their place in society and can even be used to benefit the students and our purpose for Spark. If you are concerned about emergencies, you can always get a hold of your campers by calling Spark Central or your sponsors here. The best time to call and check on your child is directly after evening activities and before lights out.
If your campers do have their phones, we will operate under the following guidelines:
No cell phones will be allowed (for social media, texting, calling or games) during any group session, including Group Spark, Encounter Classes, God Time, evening worship or group devos.
There may be other times when cell phone use will be permitted, such as a group game during Zoo Crew, and the campers will be told when that applies.
Any inappropriate cell phone use, depending on the severity of the situation, will result in confiscation of the phone or immediate expulsion from camp at the parents’ expense.
Contact:
If you have any questions about anything not addressed on this page, feel free to email uplift@harding.edu or call 501-279-4660 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. We can’t wait to have your kids here having a blast!