Earlier, we shared the news that Heart Ridge Ministries will be hosting a Narnia-themed Family Summer Camp in the mountains of South Carolina.
To learn more about how the camp came together and what families can expect during the week, we spoke with Tami Kiser of Heart Ridge Ministries. In this interview, she discusses the retreat center, how the Narnia theme was chosen, what a typical day at camp looks like, and how the program is designed to help families spend meaningful time together.
This interview is a companion to our earlier article about the Narnia-themed Family Camp at Heart Ridge Ministries.
The Big Picture
NarniaFans.com: For readers who may be discovering Heart Ridge Ministries for the first time, can you briefly describe what Heart Ridge is and where it’s located?
Tami Kiser: We are a Catholic retreat center in the upper west corner of South Carolina, almost into North Carolina. It’s just at the start of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We host groups of all denominations and types for their events. We also hold our own retreats, like a men’s, women’s, or marriage retreat. We also do special retreats on themes. During the summer, we host our own family camps.
NarniaFans.com: What inspired you to create a Narnia-themed Family Summer Camp?
Tami Kiser: Each year, we pick a theme for our camp that we can develop a story and have some fun with during the camp. We’ve always loved C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, so it was natural that this idea came up. Last year, we did a theme on Sasquatch. And the story was sort of a Finding Nemo story where a young child Sasquatch got lost from his family. You get the idea. We actually pulled our Heart Ridge mailing list for the themes this year. We offered them: Pirates, Survivor, and Narnia. Narnia won 2 to 1. And we were thrilled!
NarniaFans.com: Why do you think The Chronicles of Narnia works so well as a framework for a family camp experience?
Tami Kiser: Well, our retreat center is far away from civilization, in the mountains, so it definitely looks like the world of Narnia. And we love the idea of bringing the families into this world through our daily skits. We are creating our own story within the Narnian stories, and we will refer to the characters and places in the books. We’re setting it between LWW and Dawn Treader. As the story unfolds each day, there’s a lesson for the families to learn together. Also, we can have some really cool field games–involving pool noodle swords, bows and arrows with wet sponges. We’ll even serve Narnian-themed foods. Also, I wanted to mention that we have real beavers that live at the retreat center. Unfortunately, they are not the talking beasts.
Camp Basics
NarniaFans.com: Where exactly is the camp held?
Tami Kiser: Sunset, SC
NarniaFans.com: When does the Narnia Family Summer Camp take place this year?
Tami Kiser: We have 4 weeks. June 21-26, June 28-July 3, July 12-17, July 19-24
NarniaFans.com: How long does the camp run?
Tami Kiser: They start on a Sunday afternoon and end on Friday before noon.
NarniaFans.com: What ages is the camp designed for?
Tami Kiser: All ages. Toddlers through Teens.
NarniaFans.com: Is this primarily a family experience, or can children attend without parents?
Tami Kiser: It’s just for families. And that applies to Single parents as well, as we’ve had many grandparents come with their grandchildren.
NarniaFans.com: How many families typically attend in a given week?
Tami Kiser: Usually about 15. Which makes for a great size. By the end of camp, we’re like one big family.
What the Week Looks Like
NarniaFans.com: What does a typical day at the camp look like for families?
Tami Kiser: Every day is the same. We start with a flexible start breakfast, then go into morning prayer together. After morning prayer, we sing songs–then its the skit. After the skit, we split into groups by age. Each age group has activities suitable for their age, and the theme is around the lesson from the skit–so, for example, it could be about honesty. Parents also have their own discussion group. This year we will be reading from C.S. Lewis and discussing his insights in relation to our parenting experiences. Next, we have a Family Time where each family spends about 30 minutes discussing what everyone learned from class. There is a suggested activity, prayer, and discussion questions for the parents to use. Usually, there’s a little free time here. If we have a priest with us that day, we will have Mass. Some camps have a priest for the whole time. For other weeks, it is offered occasionally. Everything is optional at this camp. We ask families to try our proposal, especially our time together with the parents. Then lunch and free afternoon. During this free time, we offer excursions to nearby hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes. We also have a lake, a swimming pool, craft time, and an indoor air-conditioned gym for continual 4-square and knockout. The evening program begins with dinner and then an evening activity, which one day is a Field Game Day, another is a date night for parents. We also have a country dance and a talent show. Somewhere in there, we have a bonfire and s’mores.
NarniaFans.com: How much of the schedule is structured versus free time?
Tami Kiser: It’s about half and half. Every parent tells us that they love the balance of free time and structured time.
NarniaFans.com: Can you explain the five-act skit/play that unfolds over the week and how it connects to the daily themes?
Tami Kiser: Sure. We always have a running story, where every day part of the story is told, like a 5-act play. We have not developed this story yet, only to say that we have the character of an Archenlander and a Beaver companion who will be on a quest to find or do something to save the Narnian Queens and Kings. This play is written, developed, and staged by our talented team of high school and college-aged interns. Each day will have a different theme that we have developed in the past with all of our family camps. One of the themes is Asking for Help. We think this is an important virtue for kids, spouses, etc. So our story on this day might be our Archenlander struggling with something, but being too proud to ask his Beaver friend for help. You get the idea. And by the way–we have not named the characters yet. We will probably take another poll for suggestions. Does anyone have some ideas?
NarniaFans.com: How do the children’s sessions and the parents’ sessions differ during the morning programs?
Tami Kiser: They are all age-appropriate. The toddler may simply color a picture of a child asking his dad for help. The teen might have a discussion of when and why they do or don’t ask their parents for help. And as I mentioned, the parents are reading C.S. Lewis. We’ll find some great passages he’s written on the subject of humility, etc., and then we’ll discuss why spouses sometimes don’t like to ask for help.
The Narnia Elements
NarniaFans.com: How is Narnia woven into the camp without it becoming full LARP or cosplay?
Tami Kiser: It’s mostly just the skit in the morning. And then little tie-ins during the day. It is not a full-out LARPing experience.
Faith & Inclusivity
NarniaFans.com: Heart Ridge is a Catholic retreat center. How does that shape the camp?
Tami Kiser: All are welcome to the camps, as all are welcome to any Catholic Church. The lessons taught are universal to all Christians. We do not do any apologetics at our camps. We mostly focus on bonding, communication, and virtues that make families strong.
NarniaFans.com: What Catholic elements are included during the week?
Tami Kiser: We offer Mass and Confession, sometimes Adoration. These are optional for all. We also have a Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the retreat center that families can visit 24-7.
NarniaFans.com: Are those elements optional for families who are not Catholic?
Tami Kiser: Yes, and for Catholics, as well.
NarniaFans.com: How do families of other Christian traditions typically experience the camp?
Tami Kiser: They know ahead of time what they are going to experience–like Mass, and they either just spend that time with their families, or attend Mass and worship with us.
NarniaFans.com: What would you say to a family who loves Narnia but feels unsure about attending a Catholic retreat?
Tami Kiser: I completely get it. You do not need to worry. We will be very upfront with you about what might be the “Catholic” elements–which is basically just Mass. Morning Prayer is just praying with the Psalms, and all denominations are very comfortable with that. Also, there will not be any apologetics going on. We have enough work to do with our own spiritual lives and our own families, so this is not the place to do that. Along the same lines, we do not tolerate any negative talk about any church (especially our own), bishops, etc. or divisive politics. It’s just not the right moment.
Accommodations & Practical Questions
NarniaFans.com: What are the lodging options like for families?
Tami Kiser: Like a Bed and Breakfast place. Each family member gets his or her own bed. Each family has their own restroom.
NarniaFans.com: Are meals provided, and can dietary needs be accommodated?
Tami Kiser: Parents and kids love our food. We accommodate GF and DF, nut and peanut-free. We also provide labels for other allergies.
NarniaFans.com: Are there on-site amenities like swimming, hiking, or recreation areas?
Tami Kiser: Yes, see question above for activities during free time.
NarniaFans.com: Is the camp accessible for families with younger children or mobility concerns?
Tami Kiser: We have some wheelchair accessible rooms and bathrooms. We are able to accommodate most situations.
Experience & Outcomes
NarniaFans.com: What do families usually say they take away from the week?
Tami Kiser: A renewed energy and love for their family. We give them some practical tools to keep communication open. They leave inspired to live their family life to the fullest.
NarniaFans.com: Have you seen any particularly meaningful moments or traditions emerge from past camps?
Tami Kiser: We’ve seen many beautiful healing moments, particularly in the parenting sessions. After each camp, we ask families to take home and work on one goal and a practical way to do it. This has resulted in things like specific family prayer times, not using cellphones in the car when they are in there together, and more insistence on making everyone say please and thank you.
NarniaFans.com: How does the camp support strengthening family relationships?
Tami Kiser: It’s just a great time for families to stop take a breather and look at their families. We learn a lot from the content of the parenting discussions but everyone also learns a lot from hearing other families’ stories. And having that time for the families to spend just among themselves to look at some of these ideas together in their own way, is powerful–especially when the 8 year old daughter suggests that she wants to say prayers at night before going to bed.
For First-Time Campers
NarniaFans.com: What kind of family do you think this camp is especially good for?
Tami Kiser: All kinds of families. We prefer the “imperfect” ones.
NarniaFans.com: Is there anything families often worry about that turns out not to be an issue?
Tami Kiser: They worry about the lodging, food.
NarniaFans.com: What advice would you give a family attending for the first time?
Tami Kiser: Give it a try. We’ll go out of our way to help you be comfortable.
Looking Ahead
NarniaFans.com: Do you see the Narnia Family Camp becoming a recurring theme in future years?
Tami Kiser: Probably not. . . 🙁
NarniaFans.com: Are there other literary or imaginative themes you’d like to explore at Heart Ridge someday?
Tami Kiser: I’ll have to think about it. Narnia works so well because it appeals to all ages. We don’t want a theme to feel too childish or too adult. We want teenagers to feel welcome.
Final Invitation
NarniaFans.com: If you could say one thing directly to NarniaFans readers who are considering the camp, what would it be?
Tami Kiser: Take a click around our camp website to see what we offer. The pictures are real, not AI. Mostly taken by our interns. You can get a real sense of what it’s like. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. And remember it’s not a LARP. We accommodate Narnia fans as well as (gasp) maybe those who have never read it! (or what I like to call, future Narnia fans!)
NarniaFans.com: Where can families go to learn more or register?
Tami Kiser: https://www.heartridgeministries.com/summer-family-camp.html#/
Conclusion
Families interested in learning more about the Narnia-themed Family Camp at Heart Ridge Ministries can visit:
https://www.heartridgeministries.com/summer-family-camp.html#
You can also explore the free Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe family reading guide at:
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