Lake Nixon Summer Day Camp
Happy. Dirty. Tired. That’s how we know we’re doing camp right.
At Lake Nixon Summer Day Camp, young people of all backgrounds are invited to immerse themselves in God’s creation and enjoy classic, screen-free camp experiences that cultivate gratitude, spark curiosity, and grow confidence — all within a supportive community of friends.
For more than 50 years, Lake Nixon has been a place where kids unplug, explore the outdoors, try new things, and head home each day, happily worn out from a day well spent.
Our Mission
Lake Nixon is a ministry of Second Baptist Church in downtown Little Rock and has served Central Arkansas families since 1969. We often describe Lake Nixon as the church’s “front porch” — a welcoming space where all kinds of people can gather, feel at home, and experience joy in God’s beautiful creation.
At summer day camp, that mission comes to life through:
- Outdoor play and adventure
- Skill-building and creativity
- Character growth and teamwork
- A culture where campers feel Safe, Supported, Connected, and Contributing
While our love of God and our neighbors informs all we do, Christian faith formation is not an explicit part of our day camp programming. Campers may encounter simple expressions of gratitude, like songs or prayers, participation in religious activities is never required. Our campers come from many different faith backgrounds, and all are welcome here.
Lake Nixon Summer Day Camp serves school-age children and youth through two age-appropriate programs: Lower Camp and Upper Camp.
Lower Camp
Completed Kindergarten–5th Grade
(Rising 1st–6th graders)
Lower Camp offers classic camp fun with a wide range of activities, including:
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Daily swimming (weather permitting)
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Crafts and creative projects
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Games, sports, and group challenges
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Boating and fishing
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Adventure Zone activities (slack lines, climbing, balance skills)
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Nature exploration and outdoor learning
Older campers in this group may also try target activities like archery and slingshot range.
Upper Camp
Completed 6th–8th Grade
(Rising 7th–9th graders)
Upper Camp builds on our core activities with added independence and challenge:
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Daily swimming and Splash Zone time
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Sports, games, and creative activities
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Nature hikes and outdoor exploration
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Boating and fishing
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Weekly field trips and specialized activities
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Age-specific competitions and group games
The Upper Camp tuition reflects the added programming, equipment, and off-site experiences designed specifically for middle school campers.
Lake Nixon Day Camp runs Monday–Friday across 10 weekly sessions:
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Week 1: June 1–5
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Week 2: June 8–12
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Week 3: June 15–19
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Week 4: June 22–26
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Week 5: June 29–July 3
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Week 6: July 6–10
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Week 7: July 13–17
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Week 8: July 20–24
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Week 9: July 27–31
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Week 10: August 3–7
(Independence Day falls on a weekend this year; all sessions are full five-day weeks.)
A typical day at Lake Nixon is active, outdoor-focused, and joyfully full.
Daily Schedule
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8:30 a.m. – Car drop-off begins
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9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. – Core camp day
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3:30 p.m. – Car pick-up begins
Each day includes:
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Swimming, Splash Zone play, and boating
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Time in the Craft House
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Adventure Zone and Outdoor Classroom activities
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Nature hikes (including Memory Rock traditions)
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Morning and afternoon snacks (provided)
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Lunch at group tables at noon
Rainy day? No problem. We have alternate activities planned for indoor and covered spaces, with expanded indoor capacity available for 2026.
Lake Nixon Outdoor Center
18500 Cooper Orbit Road
Little Rock, AR 72210
We’re close — but feel worlds away:
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7 minutes from Kroger on Chenal
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4 minutes from I-430 & Colonel Glenn
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9 minutes from Baptist Hospital
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13 minutes from UAMS
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Extended Day Care Options:
7:30–8:30 a.m. and 4:00–5:30 p.m. -
Optional Bus Transportation
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Optional Lunch Program
(Weekly sign-ups only; individual daily orders will no longer be available)
Stay Connected
Registration for Summer 2026 is open!
Once you’re enrolled, you can download and begin using the Campanion app to fill out forms and keep up with camp news.
Returning families, don’t forget you can register for camp in the app, so reinstall your Campanion app!
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
We work hard to keep Lake Nixon accessible while providing safe, high-quality programming led by trained staff. Tuition rates reflect economic changes as well as our commitment to sustainability, staffing excellence, and program quality.
Lower Camp
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Tier I: $350/week
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Tier II: $300/week
Upper Camp
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Tier I: $375/week
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Tier II: $325/week
Additional Options
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Bus Transportation: $40/week
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Extended Day: $55/week
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Lunch Program: $22.50/week
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Deposit
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$50 per camper, per week
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Secures your camper’s spot
- After April 1, 2026 no refunds on deposits
- Deposit applied to tuition (balance due May 1, 2026)
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Discounts & Special Pricing
We offer several ways to save. All discount deadlines will be strictly enforced, and prices will not be adjusted retroactively.
Returning Family “Thank You” Discount
10% off all tuition through January 31, 2026
Early Bird Discount
5% off all tuition from January 15, 2026 – February 28, 2026
Multi-Week Discounts (available for Tier I Tuition only; available through April 1, 2026)
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3–6 weeks (per camper): 5% off
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7–10 weeks (per camper): 10% off
(Can be stacked with returning family or early bird discounts, also applies to add-ons)
Financial Aid
Lake Nixon is committed to serving families with a wide range of financial circumstances.
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Sliding-scale financial aid available
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Weekly tuition may be reduced to $35 – $150 / week
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Short application; no documentation required
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Awards based on household income, family size, and additional factors
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Financial aid decisions for 2026 will be made by a team of Second Baptist Church volunteers and stakeholders
As a mom, I am incredibly thankful for all of the counselors. I hope you truly know how important you are to our kids and what a difference you make. My 8-year-old is in her second year and loves coming to camp so, so much. Being a Lake Nixon counselor is her dream job!!
Mom of Summer 2025 Camper
Being invited to Lake Nixon was an opportunity for [my son] to get outside of his comfort zone. After day one, he declared he wanted to do more weeks next summer. He said it was the most fun he has ever had! Thank you Lake Nixon counselors and leaders for giving my “inside kid” a great experience outdoors!
Parent of Summer 2025 Camper
Interested in Working at Camp?
Interested in joining our summer staff? Youth ages 16+ can apply to join our summer staff as a certified lifeguard and those ages 18+ can apply to be a camp counselor.