Indian Creek Summer Camp for Families: A Different (and Better) Kind of Vacation

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Indian Creek Camp
Indian Creek Camp

I couldn’t believe my luck when we found out that my entire family was going to be able to attend a family camp session at Indian Creek Camp. Besides visiting my parents every Christmas and summer in West Virginia, my family has never been on a vacation together. In the end, unfortunately, my husband was not able to get off work, so my mother came to camp in his stead. We had an amazing time together!

Indian Creek Camp

Indian Creek Camp is a Seventh Day Adventist camp in Liberty, TN. During Family Camp, there are two (optional) worship sessions a day which include a lot of songs and skits. We attended some, and my kids loved them. Also, since Seventh Day Adventists celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday, the schedule looks a bit different from the week you might expect. In addition to the summer program, the facility functions as a retreat and conference center the rest of the year. The camp offers two sessions of family camp each summer, camps for teens and kids, a blind camp, and a lifeguard camp, among other programs.

Five Star Service All of the Time
Five Star Service All of the Time

Upon your arrival for Family Camp at ICC, a pack of counselors surround your car and helps unload everything, taking it to your cabin. Each family is assigned their own air conditioned room with private bathroom. Best of all, families are assigned their own guide. One (or two) of the camp counselors are assigned to each family for the entire stay at ICC. They check in throughout the day, answers all of your questions, make helpful suggestions, carry things for you, and in my case, loan you their extra rain coat and bring you (ahem) feminine hygiene products. Our guides were Lauren and Brian, and they were amazing! They were kind, extremely helpful, and quite patient. My kids fell completely in love with them!

Our Beloved Guides
Our Beloved Guides

There are six activity sessions a day, and two of those sessions include a babysitting option (for children who are potty trained). There was also babysitting available for some of the special evening activities (like a Moms’ Night Out with crafts, a moon light boat ride, etc.). You could hire a babysitter for $10 per hour.

Waiting for Swimming Lessons to Begin
Waiting for Swimming Lessons to Begin

During the six activity sessions, there were a variety of activities offered—including archery, time in the pool, crafts, ceramics, visiting the Nature Center, horseback riding, and Super Science. (I’m sure I’m forgetting something!)

 

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It rained A LOT while we were at camp, so we weren’t able to do everything, but that didn’t keep us from having fun!

My son was all about Super Science!
My son was all about Super Science!

Some activities had minimum ages and/or required adult supervision. I took my son (and sometimes my oldest daughter) to most activities while my youngest stayed in the cabin with my mom.

Keeping the Baby Busy
Keeping the Baby Busy

It worked out well, because my mother has Rheumatoid Arthritis and uses a cane, and a ton of walking around the campgrounds might have been a little much for her.  As it was, we were all exhausted (in the best way)!

ICC Wears You Out!

Because ICC is a Seventh Day Adventist camp, the meals are vegetarian. It wasn’t exactly my mother’s cup of tea, but my son and I loved it. My daughters ate like they normally do (one hardly eats, one eats all of the time), so I considered the vegetarian menu a hit for 4 out of 5 of our family members.

All Vegetarian, All of the Time

Would we go back again? In a heart beat! For my personal vacation style, we might want to wait until the kids are a little older, so they can all experience everything ICC has to offer. There were plenty of other families there though with children as young as mine (or younger), so don’t let that deter you! The ICC staff went out of their way to be accommodating and to ensure that we had the best time possible together as a family. If you are looking for a wholesome, safe, affordable, and FUN family vacation, we highly encourage you to out Indian Creek Camp!

5 COMMENTS

  1. I agree. Indian Creek Camp is a beautiful location with lots to offer. The staff members are great and they are super friendly. They definitely give you first rate service! If you have the opportunity to go, do!

  2. Great blog. We have also attended family camp at Indian Creek Camp (ICC), and loved it. We also enjoyed the help unloading the car, ceramics, midnight boat ride, science/art, food, walk in nature at other times we’ve had the privilege of going to ICC. Another really restful week at ICC, for parents whose kids have grown and on their own, is called 50 plus camp. During that week some still enjoy skiing and horseback riding, while others prefer the swimming pool or just sitting on the porch or air conditioned cabin with a book. Our kids were already grown so we took my retired parents. My dad’s back is injured from years of hard labor as a block mason, so for him walking is difficult. Volunteers used golf carts to drive us to and from meals and activities. Yes, the Indian Creek Camp staff will spoil you with kindness and do all they can to make your stay enjoyable! Sheila Schomburg

  3. Enjoyed reading your article. I and my wife were guests there recently as well with our 31/2 year old granddaughter, who loved the pool and the horses.

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