Best Mississippi Dance Camps Summer 2025 Directory

CAMP FACILITIES: We have 17 rustic, open air cabins, bathhouses, outdoor pool, horse arena and stables, recreation/dining hall, 8 hotel type rooms for lodging, waterfront pavilion, rustic chapel in the woods, and beautiful waterfront for swimming, zip lining, and sports.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Camp of the Rising Son is committed to your child’s safety first. CRS is accredited through the American Camp Association, which requires us to go beyond state and local regulations and strive to implement best practices in all areas of our program. We take special care in screening our staff and training them to make your child’s physical, mental, and emotional safety top priority. Our facilities meet all codes and requirements and are inspected annually by the Mississippi State Department of Health as well as the Attala County Fire Department. CRS has a registered nurse on-site during the summer camps. All staff are CPR trained through the American Heart Association. Water activities are supervised by an American Red Cross-certified lifeguard at all times.

Camp of the Rising Son began in 1980 with 27 campers and a two-week program directed by Margie Newman. The camping program began on the main French Camp Academy campus using two dormitories and the dining hall. The name “Camp of the Rising Son” was based on our purpose of presenting Christ, our risen Lord, to campers. The Indian theme of using Native American names for our buildings and addressing staff as “Chief” was an idea borrowed from Camp Sandy Cove in Maryland, where “Chief” Margie worked in the 1960s. It was there that she fell in love with camping as the best possible setting for connecting with the heart of a child and living out the love of Christ in God’s creation!

By 1985, the program spanned four weeks with a registration of 100 per week. Seeing that more space was needed, the FCA Board of Directors moved to build a separate facility near Lake Anne, a half mile from center campus. So in 1987, the Hall Lodge was built overlooking Lake Anne and became headquarters for Camp of the Rising Son. In addition, 16 cabins, a large activities building known as the “Pow Wow,” a crafts and pottery cabin, two shower houses, and several small sheds for camp equipment were also built. In the early 1990s, CRS was serving more than 200 children a week and added a white-water rafting program for 13- to 15-year-olds. We were hiring a total of 65 summer staff each year. By the mid-1990s, it was a joy to have former campers beginning to returning as counselors!

The resident camping program, geared to ages 7-12, incorporated 15 to 18 activities, including canoeing, sailing, horseback riding, archery, crafts making, pottery, art, leather craft, basketry, swimming lessons, fishing, enjoying nature, learning camp skills, tackling the ropes course, and others. Each camper chose five activities per week in which he/she specialized, with the option to work for awards in each area. Our staff has always been trained to teach all the activities as professionally as possible. We often send activity specialists to receive certification in the various activities.

Bible lessons were taught by counselors with the desire that campers would come to know Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior and grow in that relationship. Each week ended with the Passion Play, presented by the staff in the outdoor chapel-in-the-woods. Another outstanding aspect of CRS has been that programs are designed to stimulate creativity in each camper. , the absence of TV, electronic games, iPods, and CD players and a focus on wholesome fun!

Chief Margie says, “Over the 20 years that I directed, it was my greatest joy to see children respond to the Gospel, inviting Jesus to be their own personal Savior! Knowing that God created this earth to bear testimony to His greatness, we delighted in focusing on His handiwork around us. Even our cabins were designed to assure that campers could hear crickets and frogs as the lay in bed at night! Many parents sent their children for the high quality of training in various activities, but, at the end of the week our greatest joy is knowing that their lives had been changed by knowing Jesus personally!!”

From the late 1990s through 2008, directors Rusty McKnight, Larry Littlejohn, and Step Morgan made a lasting impact on the staff and campers at CRS. A leadership training program for 15-year-olds was added, a new pool was built, the floating dock was put in the lake, and a ninth cabin was constructed in the Maiden Unit. Repairs and rebuilding happened after several large storms came through the French Camp area. Kayaking and Frisbee sports were added as activities.

Carrie Browning is CRS’s current director. She began as a camper, returned as a counselor and program director, and assumed the director’s position in fall 2008. Under her leadership, the program offerings for teens have expanded to include horse camp, astronomy camp, and an ultimate adventure rafting trip.

Chief Carrie says, “Over the years though there have been new additions and updates to our activities and facilities, the core values of Camp of the Rising Son remain the same. We are committed to providing a safe environment and Christ-centered setting for children and youth that intentionally focuses on experiencing creation, building relationships, encouraging creativity, learning new skills, and having lots of fun!”

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: CIA (Camp Intern Adventure) stages D1 and D2 are an opportunity like none other offered at Camp of the Rising Son. As part of a select group you will have the opportunity to work with amazing chiefs and fellow participants to serve the staff and campers! There will be time for building relationships, recreation, and studying God’s Word to grow in your faith. You will leave camp with a better understanding with a better understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what it takes to make CRS special for our campers! For more information regarding our CIA program, please visit our website: Our Camp Website Link: www.campoftherisingson.com

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Scholarship applications are due April 1st. The application can be found on our website.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): At family camp, you can choose to participate in our many fun activities or choose to hang out and rest. This is your vacation, so everything is optional! Play opportunities include swimming, fishing, and boating on Lake Ann, rock wall, archery, horseback riding, Frisbee golf, crafts, and more! In the morning, adults will be challenged and connect duing worship and Bible study while camp staff teach and entertain the children. Afternoons will be play time for families to have a chance to experience camp together. Nights hold a campfire, parent date/kid fun night, and a fun family event night! Take the opportunity to unplug and play as a family, and we'll take care of the rest! Please visit our website for more information: Our Camp Website Link: www.campoftherisingson.com

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Camp of the Rising Son also hosts retreats, seminars, and programs when camp is not in session. Please refer to our website for more information about our programs.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Please visit our website for camp sessions, dates, and fees: Our Camp Website Link: www.campoftherisingson.com

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
It is a unique privilege and responsibility to serve hundreds of campers and their families each summer. Our aim is to employ enthusiastic young men and women who are committed to growing in their relationship to Christ and to proclaiming and living out the Gospel. We strive to create a safe environment, intentionally seek opportunities to develop relationships with our campers, and share Christ in every aspect of daily life.

Our summer staff is at the heart of our ministry and has a great potential to impact the campers. This is why we seek to hire the best staff possible each summer. CRS staff are role models to our campers, and because of this we have a set of guidelines and rules that staff must follow. We do this because what we as staff do in moderation, the campers will do in excess. We want to be wholesome, godly leaders for these campers.

For more information or to download an application, please refer to our website.

CAMP FACILITIES: Varies depending on location.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: The WhizKids day camp program meets throughout the Jackson Metro Area (Madison, Brandon, Clinton, Pearl, Ridgeland) in various locations. We offer half-day and full-day options.

All units are taught by certified teachers and trained adults using curriculum that integrates critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and group dynamics. We also offer opportunities for Jr. Interns and Interns to practice leadership skills by assisting with student groups.

We strive to offer programs that are challenging for students, convenient for parents, and fun for everyone!

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Leadership Opportunities:
Junior Intern: 7th-8th grade students
Intern: High school students

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Limited scholarships available.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Visit out website for updated session dates and tuition cost.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Do you enjoy working with kids, have good classroom management skills, and have an engaging personality?  WhizKids Programs LLC occasionally has positions available to teach after school clubs and/or summer day camps. We offer competitive pay and a flexible schedule. Contact us at whizkidsprograms[AT]gmail.com if you are interested.

CAMP FACILITIES: Participants will use many of the buildings on The Baddour Center's campus, including one group home, outdoor pool, Community Life building, gymnasium, auditorium, and more.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: YOUR Summer Program was started in 2015. We look forward to our fourth year and four different weeks (2 for males, 2 for females) of fun!

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: The Baddour Center is dedicated to providing a model residential community for adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities in an environment that promotes maximum growth intellectually, spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally and vocationally.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Males: June 2-6, 2019; June 16-20, 2019
Females: June 9-13, 2018; June 23-27, 2019
Cost: $700 per session

Visit Our Camp Website Link: www.baddour.org to print an application.

CAMP FACILITIES: Camp Windhover has eight cabins, stables and riding ring, theater, art room, craft room, wilderness skills/ chorus room, music/band room, dining hall/kitchen, infirmary, dance building, pool with dressing rooms, two bathhouses, outdoor basketball, tether ball, four-square court.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: An American Camp Association accredited camp, Camp Windhover seeks to place campers in a position to see the wonder in themselves and the natural world, while encouraging healthy, positive interaction with others. Gifted at keeping the fun quotient high, Windhover's staff are carefully selected role models, who receive a week of training to focus on their campers' needs and inspire their best behavior.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Counselors-in-training attend a retreat to learn how to assist in the kitchen, in activities, and in the cabin at camp. They also have a leadership activity period daily while at camp.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Session One: June 8-14
Session Two: June 15-21
Session Three: June 22-28
Session Four: July 6-12

2014 Fees:
Completed 1st-2nd grade 3rd-8th grade
Any one week $750 $850
Any two weeks $1450 $1650
Any three weeks $2150 $2450

From the camp website, you can apply online or download, print, and mail an application.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
At the present time, all of our staff positions are filled for 2014, but things happen, and we might still need a counselor at the last minute.

Staff applications are available on-line at Camp Windhover's website.

CAMP FACILITIES: Classrooms, theater/auditorium/cafeteria

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: A team of internationally-experienced directors from Los Angeles & New York conduct week-long, performing arts day-camps! Concludes with an exciting stage show for the community. Singing, dancing, acting and more. 3rd - 12th Grades. No experience required

Joining with community arts educators and talented college students, we teach the students a special show and concept called "BELIEVE!"

Each week of camp concludes with an exciting stage show for the entire community!

Singing - Dancing - Acting - Games and More!

Open to 3rd grade thru 12th grade students.

OTHER CAMP INFO: Keely Crawford Pounds - "Absolutely wonderful! U r such an inspiration to and for our youth! Thank u for what u do !"

Sherri Baxter - "Great experience for the kids! Thanks for a wonderful week!"

Marcus Speed - "THANK YOU to ALL that made this camp possible! My children had a BLAST!!! "

Jennifer Mary Veazey - "This was such a great experience for my two kids. They had so much fun. Thank you for coming! Y'all were great."

Fay Clark Stonecypher - "My granddaughter, Remy Rogers, paid y'all a huge compliment last night at the dinner table. She declared that she loves your Believe Summer Camp EVEN MORE than the 2 other theatre camps which she attended this summer and also loved! Thank you!!"

Dami Newell Ownby - "My daughter is LOVING her experience at BELIEVE this week. Thank you so much for the hard work that went into putting this together, as well as your staff's amazing energy and positivity for these kids. You guys are rock stars!"

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
June 27- July 1st in Bogalusa, LA - $60 per student
June 20-24 in Gallman MS - $100 per student

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Volunteer and internship opportunities:
Email Bruce Sampson directly at bruce[AT]iconarts.org, or call 951-371-5239.