College of the Ozarks students and faculty will host Camp Lookout for its 30th year of summer camp June 3 – Aug. 12.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks students and faculty will host Camp Lookout for its 30^th year of summer camp. This year’s camp theme is “Run Free” and is designed to remind campers of their freedom in Jesus.

Camp Lookout is hosted on the College of the Ozarks campus at the campgrounds, complete with an activities field, housing, and playgrounds. For the summer of 2024, 10 sessions of camp will be offered from June 3 – Aug. 12. Approximately 40-50 campers, ages 8-12 from Stone and Taney County, participate in Camp Lookout activities each week.

This camp was designed to fulfill the needs of the local community by providing a camp for children to attend that would recognize financial need and allow children to still have a positive camp experience.

Campers should be dropped off on Mondays at 3:30 p.m., with camp activities running through 6 p.m. on Thursday.

For more information or to reserve a spot, visit https://www.cofo.edu/CampLookout

“There are many summer opportunities in the Ozarks, but Camp Lookout is the only one that offers a free summer experience for kids who may not be able to afford to attend camp,” said Lori Simmons, community service coordinator.

Campers participate in a variety of activities while spending the week at camp, including water balloon fights, scavenger hunt, and swimming. Additionally, the campers go to Silver Dollar City once a week to enjoy the rides and sights. To end every day, the campers will participate in evening worship sessions and devotions.

“The theme ‘Run Free’ points to the freedom that only comes from our Savior,” Caden Peterson, Camp Lookout director. “The theme comes from Galatians 5:13 where we learn that Jesus calls us to serve others because of the love He gives to us.”

All activities at Camp Lookout are guided and supervised by a team of 40 counselors, who rotate shifts to spend time with the kids. Counselors are all students at College of the Ozarks who have a passion for helping children and a love for Christ. The counselors are trained by Caden Peterson, director of student activities. Training includes preparing devotions, team-building activities, safety training, and cleaning the campground for the campers.