Gearing up for Summer Camp 2015
Summer Camp registration is in full swing and here at Camp we are busy preparing to host the best summer ever. Camper enrollment is pacing ahead of 2014, and with the addition of two new units we are on track to serve our largest number of campers in years! Our traditional camps are filling up, as are adventure camps.
Designed just for teens, adventure camps are a different experience for older campers who want a new camp experience that incorporates the same spirit of camp that they have grown to love. Adventure camps push campers to learn new skills, depend on each other, and apply what they’ve learned in a backcountry camping environment. The small group sizes allow the relationships between campers and staff to be stronger and give campers more opportunity for leadership and community building.
With a strong camp program must come strong facilities to support it. There are several new building projects and improvements that will be ready for this summer. The Monsignor Fornie Mini Camp Village Units of Chihwatenha and Aonetta will add capacity for 60 Mini Campers and Mini Camp Explorers each week in a location that is close to the main area of camp, the dining hall, and shower houses.
In addition to the Monsignor Fornie Village, the rifle range will be completely renovated prior to 
Summer 2015. The new range will have a higher capacity, allowing campers to have more time practicing their shooting skills and less time waiting on the benches. It will also be designed to focus the attention of the entire unit on the shooting area and allow campers to learn more effectively from each other.
Finally, I am personally so proud of the staff that has been assembled for the summer. This summer we are lucky to have staff from all over our country, as well as the world! I am excited to announce that we have hired International staff from the UK and New Zealand who will be making Ozark their home for the summer. In addition to our friends from across abroad, we have some returning faces as well. The CITs will once again be led by Rusty Parker, who will be returning for his tenth summer as CIT Director! In Head Counselor role will be Samm Lukert, who has been a part of our summer staff for many years. She will be working with Unit staff and helping them get the tools they need to make sure all our campers have the best time possible.
Looking to Summer 2015, I believe we are developing the strongest staff, program, and facilities yet. I hope that you will be able to join us for a week to see everything in action! Heepwah!
By Alissa Hollmann, Camping Services Director
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