Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp

Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp is nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains with the Little Maumelle River bordering one side. The camp is located on 82 acres near Ferndale, west of Little Rock, Arkansas. The buildings are wood and natural rock with wood-burning fireplaces. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built most of the buildings, including the cabins, in the 1930’s. The CCC was a precursor to AmeriCorps. As one of the 100 oldest camps in the nation, Pfeifer Camp offers a rustic setting with modern facilities including a large ball field, a covered full-size basketball court, a junior Olympic size swimming pool, arts and crafts pavilion, and a garden.

Our mission is building young lives through innovative education, outdoor recreation, and family involvement through the Pfeifer Camp AmeriCorps, Summer Camp, and Counselor-In-Training (CIT) programs. The camp is owned and operated by Kiwanis Activities, Inc., of Little Rock, Arkansas, a 501-3(c) nonprofit organization closely connected to the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Little Rock.

At Pfeifer Camp, everyone, adults included, is allowed to fail with dignity and to repeat the experience with success. Students quickly learn that they have choices in life and that they don’t have to act or live as they have in the past.  Through Reality Therapy, the camp discipline model, students must accept responsibility for their own actions. Many students make life-long decisions at camp to change their behavior and attitude.

We go beyond the “band aid” approach to solving the problems of today’s youth. In working with this young population, we emphasize prevention – giving children the chance, and showing them, they have the choice, to succeed in the regular classroom setting.

Although the immediate emphasis is on academics, campers learn problem solving skills, crisis management skills, and acceptance of personal responsibility through a variety of outdoor, environmental, and team building activities. The camp facility, staff, and AmeriCorps members become a second home for our campers. Parents are thankful for the Pfeifer Camp village that is there for the long haul, as campers may return to camp year after year and may even become AmeriCorps and staff themselves!

Our best recognition comes from the campers themselves. Here is an excerpt from a letter written by a 4th grader to an incoming 3rd grader:  “Dear 3rd grader, I know Pfeifer Camp is a totally new thing to you.  Don’t be worried though. OK? Your counselor and AmeriCorps member will treat you with love, care, respect, and trustworthiness, etc… Pfeifer Camp is a great place and you better believe it.  I was scared at first too but it will be all ok.  OK? Well, I hope you have a fun time at Pfeifer Camp.”