Esther Rea and Wesley Evermon serve as “Mom” and “Pop” during Character Camp.

College of the Ozarks hosted Character Camp, an orientation program for incoming students, from Aug. 11-18, 2023. The College welcomed 274 new students and estimates enrollment for fall at 1,430.

Character Camp provides an intensive orientation to the College and outlines what is expected of students. The program is designed to develop character and provides new students with a built-in support system that helps them navigate their college experience.

Character Camp places the incoming students into groups called “families” that consist of approximately 10 students. Each family is led by a male and female upperclassman student identified as “Mom” and “Pop.” This fall, the incoming class was divided into 26 families.

Each “Mom” and “Pop” serves as a mentor and guide for the new students by introducing them to different buildings on campus, to their academic advisors, and leading them through each activity during the week. New students participate in many activities, including trips to Silver Dollar City, chapel services, listening to special speakers, “family time,” and a challenge course.

“Character Camp is an amazing opportunity for the upperclassmen at C of O to serve the incoming freshman,” said Esther Rea, senior public relations major and “Mom” of family 24. “It was a week of fun and growth for everyone involved. Being able to serve new students and make them feel at home is one of the greatest blessings I’ve had here at the College.”

To kick off Character Camp activities, the families all link hands and participate in a Catwalk, a symbolic walk through the campus that celebrates the students becoming part of the College of the Ozarks legacy. The walk begins with students passing through The Empty Cross^TM and then descending into campus. They are cheered on by faculty and staff members from all around campus to encourage and welcome them.

In addition to participating in fun activities, the students also learn the importance of giving back to the community through community service projects designed to serve the campus and local community. Students painted fences, cleaned buildings, stained furniture, and cleaned the campus hog farm as just a few examples.

“The theme for Character Camp was ‘Called to Serve,’ and we got to demonstrate selflessness by serving on our own campus,” said Wesley Evermon, senior accounting major and “Pop” of family 24. “My family joyfully and humbly served this week by cleaning the construction zone inside Lively Hall, the new women’s dorm, as well as painting the fence surrounding the cow pastures behind The Keeter Center. Our family displayed a willing attitude, and we were eager to serve in any project.”

The end of Character Camp culminates in a banquet where students enjoy one more night of fellowship with their families. There is an address from a speaker designed to encourage and challenge the students, as well as an announcement of the winners of the “Reflections on Christlike Character” essay required of each student. The essays are evaluated by various members of the College and judged on relevance, clarity, depth, and accuracy.