College of the Ozarks Camp Lookout returned for its 30th year, offering free summer camp to children in surrounding counties. This summer’s theme, “Run Free,” was designed to remind the campers that we are able to “Run Free” only because of what Jesus has done for us.
Camp Lookout is hosted on the College of the Ozarks campus campground, complete with an activities field, housing and playgrounds. For the summer of 2024, 10 sessions of camp were offered from June 3 –Aug. 8. Approximately 50 campers each week, ages 8-12, from Stone and Taney counties participated in Camp Lookout activities each week.
Caden Peterson, College of the Ozarks student activities director and director of Camp Lookout, is working his second summer at the camp. Lori Simmons serves as the College of the Ozarks Christian ministries community service coordinator and administrator of Camp Lookout. Together, they oversee the camp, planning activities, training the counselors, and implementing guidelines for all activities. Training for the counselors included team-building activities, safety training, developing the teaching materials, and preparing the campground for the campers.
“The theme ‘Run Free’ is rooted in Galatians 5:13 where it outlines that God gives us the freedom to love one another through service,” said. “We are able to run free only because of what Jesus does for us: He created us, He loves us, and He gives us purpose in life.”
“My favorite part of Camp Lookout is getting to walk alongside our amazing summer student workers as they share the Gospel and love of Jesus with campers.” Peterson said. “The fun of summer camp, we get to show through our actions that Jesus loves us and has a purpose for our lives.” Said Peterson.
Campers participated in a variety of activities while spending the week at camp, including community service, water days and swimming. Additionally, the campers spent a day at Silver Dollar City to enjoy the rides and sights. To celebrate the theme, “Run Free,” evening worship sessions and devotions were also integrated into the daily camp schedule.
All activities at Camp Lookout are guided and supervised by a team of 40 counselors who rotate shifts to spend time with the kids either in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Counselors are all students at College of the Ozarks who have a passion for helping children and a love for Christ.
“Being a counselor here at the camp has been such an eye opener for me,” Cain Beal sophomore conservation and wildlife management major, said. “I had the pleasure of meeting a young man who had such a passion for the Lord. He would ask me so many questions, and we would talk about them for what felt like hours. The young man ended up accepting Jesus as his Savior later in the week, and I have never felt prouder.”
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