Students participating in a service project during Character Camp

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Incoming freshmen at College of the Ozarks experienced Character Camp, a week-long orientation, from Jan. 8-14.

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

“I really love the concept of Character Camp, and the way it is done at College of the Ozarks,” said Ryan Knight, dean of students. “We provide each and every new student with two built-in mentors in the form of a ‘mom’ and ‘pop’ and they do life together. It’s always good to know you have people in your corner!”

During the week, 164 new incoming students were placed into 16 groups called “families.” Each family was led by two upperclassmen who model the character expected of a C of O student. These “moms” and “pops” served as leaders and mentors to the “kids” in their families throughout the week.

“Character Camp is such a blessing to be a part of each semester,” said Sammy Poole, Foster residence director. “I get to see students come in on the first day, knowing no one, and then leave with a ‘family’ of friends they can jump into their first semester with. It’s truly amazing what God does every semester with this week.”

During Character Camp, students also participated in community service projects in the community and across campus, including helping at Riley’s Treasures, the YMCA, scrubbing milk equipment at the dairy, and mopping residence hall floors.

Character Camp also included activities such as special speakers, chapel services, “family” time, advisor time, an end-of-the-week banquet, and a challenge course where students learned the value of teamwork.

Each incoming student wrote a “Reflections on Christ-like Character” essay. The essay is a requirement for students and is evaluated by various members of the College. Essays are judged on relevance, clarity, depth, and accuracy.

“Character Camp was super beneficial for me when I was coming in,” said Rylee Scott, senior marketing major. “It helped me with all the questions I had with classes and how to do college life. I made some of my best friends during Character Camp and got to start school with a great group of friends. Character Camp was impactful for me, and getting to help lead a family to provide that for new students is amazing.”

Throughout this coming semester, the “families” will reunite three different times to discuss progress, and the “moms” and “pops” will encourage the incoming students by walking alongside them in this new chapter of life. One of these “family” reunions will involve another community service project.