INCOMPARABLE SAFETY

A Safe Camper Is A Happy Camper

Safety and Camper Care Camp Ozark

Camper Safety

Safety! Safety! Safety! Safety! The cornerstone of what we do at Incomparable Camp Ozark is attempting to make each child's safety our highest priority. Our safety standards are designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the American Camp Association, with the underlying desire to treat each camper as if they were our own.

Every session is staffed by a licensed, on-site Physician and at least 9 Registered Nurses who live in one of our two Health Centers. In addition, Camp Ozark has a relationship with 2 licensed Pharmacists who are on call to dispense medications as needed. The Physician sees patients during Med Call twice a day or as needed and is accessible for any illnesses or emergencies that might occur. The nursing staff administers routine medications, treats minor illnesses and injuries and promotes preventative measures at the Camp Ozark Health Center. In addition, Camp Ozark has access to Ambulance service in nearby Mount Ida as well as air evacuation services, if needed, in the case of an extreme emergency.

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INCOMPARABLE

CAMP OZARK

400

Acres of beautiful, forested terrain and rolling hills.

150

Activities and educational classes to participate in.

11

Weeks of summer sessions that will change your life.

Camper Safety

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Camper Safety

Your child's safety is our number one priority while he or she attends Camp Ozark. While Camp Ozark cannot completely eliminate the possibility of a child becoming ill or being injured while at Camp Ozark, we do recognize that before the "camp experience" can be anything else to the child, it must be a secure environment for the child to learn and grow. That is why we, at Camp Ozark, thoroughly train our staff and employ stringent safety and health standards.

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Safety Procedures Include:

1. A resident physician who is available 24 hours per day (Our primary physician, Dr. Secily Torn, is a Board Certified Pediatrician who assists in developing and endorsing Camp Ozark's Health Protocols.
2. Two complete Health Centers, staffed by as many as eight registered nurses. (Susan Torn is a registered nurse who has practiced camp nursing for over 25 years).
3. Systematic, regular evaluations and inspections of activities, equipment, facilities and modes of transportation to ensure that they are functioning in compliance with our standards.
4. Consistent evaluation of our compliance with all of the American Camp Association standards regarding safety, health and operations. Camp Ozark has achieved a perfect score on all of our accreditation visits by the American Camp Association which means we have been in compliance with over 300 standards and sub-standards.
5. Strict medical protocols developed in consultation with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the Arkansas Department of Health and Infectious Disease Specialists (Texas Children's Hospital) are in place to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
6. Using the combination of prevention and intervention to attempt to ensure a camp environment of health and wellness. Prevention of illnesses at Camp Ozark revolves around the "Big 5" - Handwashing, Hydration, Nutrition, Sunscreen and Sunglasses and Adequate Rest.
7. All summer staff are trained and certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/First Aid. In addition, staff are trained to handle and operate AED's (Artificial Electronic Defibulators).
8. All campers are required to wear life jackets while participating in most water activities at Camp Ozark. The two exceptions to this are when there is controlled lap swimming and at our waterslides where there is a 1:2 lifegaurd to swimmer ratio. Annually, the Red Cross certifies approximately 100 summer staff as Lifeguards at Camp Ozark. All water front and lake front activities are monitored by certified lifeguards.
9. Our Lake front activities are staffed by certified lifeguards who have completed the Arkansas Boater's Safety Course. In addition, the lake staff is trained using curriculum from the American Water Ski Association.
10. All challenge course activities are constructed and operated following Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) industry accepted guidelines. Elements and equipment are professionally inspected each year. Our instructors receive rigorous on-site training and are supervised by ACCT certified facilitators.
11. Our riflery, archery and skeet ("shooting sports") staff are trained and certified under the guidance of the National Rifle Association certified instructor. In all shooting sports areas, safety guidelines are strictly enforced. All campers and staff must be oriented by an Ozark instructor before they are allowed to participate in our shooting sports areas. For added safety we have a minimum age limit of 12 at our skeet range, and all of our rifles are tethered to the range deck at the rifle range.
12. The Camp Ozark health center is equipped to handle most minor emergencies with an Emergency Medical Kit (Banyan) and 3 AEDS, strategically located throughout the camp premises, to stabilize a person in a Life-threatening situation. In case of a life threatening emergency 911, emergency assistance is available from Mount Ida, Arkansas which is less than 20 minutes from Camp Ozark. The EMS system has paramedics that are in contact with St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Life Flight is also available. All campers who are off- site are accompanied by staff members with either cell phones or radios whereby emergency assistance may be requested. All Camp Ozark Summer Staff are required to be CPR certified.

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ACA Accredited

Camp Ozark is an American Camp Association Accredited Camp

12

For 12 years Camp Ozark has been accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)

8

For eight years Camp Ozark has received the ACA award of excellence.

3

Every three years Camp Ozark undergoes a rigorous inspection by the ACA

1

Incomparable commitment to camper safety and camper care

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Staff Recruiting and Training

At Camp Ozark, it is our goal to create a secure environment for your child. Camp Ozark goes to great lengths to ensure that our staff is properly screened during the application and interview process and then thoroughly trained so that your child will be surrounded by the finest young Christian role models that colleges around the country have to offer.

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Only The Best

Camp Ozark goes to great lengths to ensure that our staff is properly screened

2200

Is the number of applicants from 35 college campuses around the country

550

Are chosen during our highly selective interview process

4

Each new applicant is required to submit at least 4 references

1

We run a criminal background check on each staff member every year

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Health and Wellness

At Camp Ozark, our goal is to treat your child "like one of our own." One of the ways we strive to do this is by taking a comprehensive approach to your child's health and wellness. Ways we do this include, but are not limited to, hygiene checks, medication dispensation, allergy management plans and a proactive and preventative approach to sanitizing and disease control. In addition, we place a strong emphasis on following the "Big 5" which includes Hand Washing, Hydration, Nutrition, Rest and Sun Protection.

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Medications - Handling and Dispensing

Camp Ozark facilitates the mandatory service of pre-packing campers' medication in preparation for camp. The nurses dispense the medications at all meal times and at bedtime. For exceptions, please contact us or send us an email.
Hand Washing

All cabins and public areas have foam hand sanitizers available and campers are required to use them when coming and going. In addition, staff members oversee hand washing before and after every meal.
Hydration

All campers are encouraged to take frequent water breaks during their activities. Water Bottles may be filled up at the Dining Hall. The Camp Ozark store is open for drinks and water at least 2 times a day. Water fountains are strategically located through out the cabin areas and playing fields.
Nutrition

A well balanced, kid friendly menu that features "scratch cooking" is served at all three meals. In addition, a breakfast, lunch and dinner bar consisting of healthy food options is available for those campers not choosing the main hot food line.
Rest

All campers have a rest period after lunch. Campers must be in their bunks during this time, but may read mail or books, write letters or rest. The cabin counselor is always in the cabin during rest period. Younger campers go to bed an hour earlier than older campers.
Sun Protection

Sunscreen in available in all cabins, program areas, water areas and at the lake. Campers are supervised in applying sunscreen by their staff members. Also wearing sun glasses is strongly encouraged.
Identification/Treatment

The medical staff follows the Camp Ozark Protocols that are written and reviewed every year by our Primary Camp Physician. In addition, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines as they relate to summer camps are monitored. Camp Ozark partners with The Arkansas State Health Department in developing its guidelines. The Medical staff refers to these guidelines when treating with Over the Counter Medications. Any medical issues identified that require a Doctor's attention are referred to our on site Physician.
Notification of Parents

Should your child become ill or injured while at Camp Ozark, parents will be timely notified if, at the sole discretion of the Camp Ozark Medical Staff, such notification is warranted. If at any time you have a question or concern regarding the health status or safety of your child, please feel free to contact Camp Ozark. We will be happy to discuss said issue with you.
Hygiene Checks

All two-week campers are screened during the middle weekend for any health issues that may need attention. The medical staff checks the campers for general cleanliness, sores or rashes that need attention or referral to our Camp Physician for further investigation and treatment.

One week campers 10 years old or younger have their hygiene check during the latter part of their stay at camp. The medical staff checks the campers for general cleanliness, sores or rashes that need attention or referral to our Camp Physician for further investigation and treatment.
Medical Emergencies

The Camp Ozark health center is equipped to handle most minor emergencies with an Emergency Medical Kit (Banyan) and 3 AEDS, strategically located throughout the camp premises, to stabilize a person in a Life-threatening situation. In case of a life threatening emergency 911, emergency assistance is available from Mount Ida, Arkansas which is less than 20 minutes from Camp Ozark. The EMS system has paramedics that are in contact with St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Life Flight is also available. All campers who are off- site are accompanied by staff members with either cell phones or radios whereby emergency assistance may be requested. All Camp Ozark Summer Staff are required to be CPR certified.
Allergies

Campers that have any type of allergy, whether food, drug, environmental or other, must notify Camp Ozark via the Health Form or in writing before the camper's session begins. All allergies are entered into the camper's database. The "Camp Ozark Allergy Form" must be filled out indicating the allergen, the reaction and the treatment if exposure occurs. If the camper has a potentially life threatening allergy, a black band will be placed on their wrist on their arrival, with their allergy written on the band. Food allergies must be discussed with the Food Services Director in advance of the session and alternatives planned for the session. Supplemental foods are usually requested.

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Comprehensive Approach

At Camp Ozark, our goal is to treat your child "like one of our own."

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Camper Care

The Camper Care Program is an integral part of camp and is designed to help make the Ozark experience truly incomparable for campers and their families. Among the many facets of Camper Care are the Camp Moms. Camp Moms serve as a mom away from home and help make the transition from home to Camp as smooth as possible.

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One of Our Own

Is designed to help make the Ozark experience truly incomparable for campers and their families

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Camper Monitoring

Camp Ozark firmly believes that all campers deserve to have an "incomparable" camp experience, and, while rare, any camper behavior that negatively affects the experience of others should be addressed in a decisive and timely fashion. Camp Ozark has developed a system of Camper Monitoring designed to prevent, identify and resolve camper behavior issues.

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Camper Monitoring Includes:

1. Camp Ozark employs a system of camper monitoring that involves cabin counselors, senior summer staff ("Top Staff" - older Camp Ozark "veterans" who oversee a small group of cabins), and Permanent Staff. One of the primary goals of our camper monitoring system is to be in a position to quickly identify and resolve any camper misbehavior. Our cabin counselors are the first line of "defense," but all staff members, including the Top and Permanent Staff, are trained to work together to attempt to eliminate misbehavior of any kind.
2. Certain members of the Camp Ozark Permanent Staff are tasked with designing, implementing and evaluating our camper monitoring program. These Permanent Staff members try to stay current on recent trends and thoughts on preventing, identifying and resolving behavioral issues, including bullying. In addition, these Permanent Staff are proactive during the summer in responding to behavioral issues that arise among campers. As issues come to their attention, whether through formal or informal channels, one or more of these Camp Ozark Permanent Staff members becomes involved.
3. Camp Ozark trains our Summer Staff in efforts to help them recognize, prevent and resolve camper misbehavior issues, such as bullying. This includes training prior to camp, during our Staff Orientation (required of all summer staff member with very few exceptions), as well as ongoing training and evaluation during summer.
4. Camp Ozark has developed policies and guidelines aimed at adequate supervision and monitoring of campers. For example, we go to great lengths to avoid situations where campers are not directly supervised by staff members at all times. Since most campers who bully or otherwise misbehave tend to do so in the absence of adult supervision, we strive to eliminate those situations.
5. On the first night of camp, Camp Ozark conducts age- and gender-specific meetings with all campers. During these opening day meetings, a member of the Permanent Staff reviews our behavioral policies and guidelines and outlines the consequences of misbehavior (ranging from a meeting with Permanent Staff, to loss of camp privileges, to expulsion from camp in extreme cases). A Permanent Staff member will also review the formal and informal ways a child may report misbehavior by another camper or staff member. We want campers to feel safe and empowered to stand up for themselves, and to know they have options for dealing with difficult situations.
6. We conduct "Camper Evaluations" once per week, during which members of the Top Staff meet with the counselors in their assigned cabins and documents a formalized report for each camper. The primary purpose of this meeting is to identify any behavioral issues that might be causing problems in the cabin. These reports are then reviewed by members of the Permanent Staff. In addition, Top Staff members are tasked with informally checking with each of their assigned cabins each day. Again, this helps keep us informed as to how the campers in a cabin are getting along, and if the counselors are having any difficulty managing behavioral issues.

About Camp Ozark

Each summer over 6500 kids choose to spend a session or more at Incomparable Camp Ozark, exploring over 400 acres of beautiful, forested terrain, participating in more than 150 activities, during our 11 week camping season. 6500...400...150...11.

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Camp Ozark

155 Camp Ozark Drive
Mt. Ida, AR 71957

Tel : (870) 867-4131

INCOMPARABLE SAFETY

A Safe Camper Is A Happy Camper

Safety and Camper Care Camp Ozark

Camper Safety

INCOMPARABLE

CAMP OZARK

400

150

11

Camper Safety

Camper Safety

Learn More

ACA Accredited

Camp Ozark is an American Camp Association Accredited Camp

12

8

3

1

Staff Recruiting and Training

Learn More

Only The Best

Camp Ozark goes to great lengths to ensure that our staff is properly screened

2200

550

4

1

Health and Wellness

Learn More

Medications - Handling and Dispensing

Hand Washing

Hydration

Nutrition

Rest

Sun Protection

Identification/Treatment

Notification of Parents

Hygiene Checks

Medical Emergencies

Allergies

Comprehensive Approach

At Camp Ozark, our goal is to treat your child "like one of our own."

Camper Care

Learn More

Camp Moms

Homesickness

First Year Camper Communication

Special Situations

One of Our Own

Is designed to help make the Ozark experience truly incomparable for campers and their families

Camper Monitoring

Learn More

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About Camp Ozark

Contact Us

Camp Ozark

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