Here are just some of the steps that Camp Ozark takes in selecting our Summer Staff.

• Camp Ozark is highly selective during the interview process and only selects about 550 summer staff members from approximately 2200 interviews at 35 college campuses around the country.
• Each applicant receives a behavioral interview where Camp Ozark's permanent staff are trained not only to evaluate the content of each interview answer, but also any risk characteristics that may be demonstrated by the interviewee while answering certain questions. Each interviewer is trained to look for "red flags" that include, but are not limited to any indication of dishonesty, odd behaviors, defense mechanisms, or potentially inappropriate lifestyle tendencies.
• Each new applicant is required to submit an application that, among other things, includes at least 3 references. Camp Ozark asks the references questions regarding the applicant's character, work history, and any behavioral issues that may preclude them from providing a safe and wholesome environment for your child.
• Camp Ozark runs a criminal background check on each new summer staff member every year.
• Every staff member at Camp Ozark must complete Aramatus sexual abuse training that focuses on prevention, recognition, and reporting before they arrive at Camp Ozark. Each staff member is trained on how to monitor interactions between staff members and those that are in their care.
• Upon arrival at Camp Ozark, every summer staff member that directly interacts with children is thoroughly trained in the areas of camper safety and well-being.

If you have any more questions regarding our staff interviewing, screening, or selection process, please contact Debbie Priddy, Assistant Director of Human Resources, at (870)-867-4131.

• 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.

Camper Care Includes:

• Camp Moms

  Under the direction of our Camper Care Director, Camp Moms serve as a mom away from home to make the transition to being a camper as smooth as possible for the camper and the parents. Camp Moms have a network in place that enables them to meet campers needs and to give 1st time camper status reports to camp families a few days into their camper's session.

• Homesickness

  We know homesickness can be normal, especially when away from home for the first time. A camper that experiences homesickness is counseled by their cabin counselor first, then if additional resources are needed, the Camp Mom works with the counselor and the camper to resolve their feelings with compassion and caring. Strategies are implemented to help the camper cope in a positive way, building their confidence and independence. We have found having fun and getting involved in the camp program is the best remedy.

• First Year Camper Communication

  All first time camper families receive a telephone call from one of the Camp Moms within the first few days of the campers stay. This first year camper call gives a status report that includes the campers cabin, tribe, how the camper is adjusting, and the camper's favorite activities so far. Our Incomparable Top Staff assists the Camp Moms in collecting information from your camper and their counselors to provide accurate information.

• Special Situations

  Special Needs Camp Moms are available between 8 AM and 10 PM or anytime a family emergency or personal situation arises where intervention and counseling is needed. Camp Moms are equipped to deal with campers and parents in an empathetic, practical way.

Camper Monitoring Includes:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.