How Are All Camper Screened?
Screening on opening day
All campers are screened by trained staff at their point of entry before being allowed on the camp premises
Bus
Campers are Screened Before Departing
Air Travel
Campers are Screened Before Boarding
Private Automobile
Campers are Screened Before Entering the Camp Premises
1
Temperature Checks (any camper with an elevated temperature according to CDC guidelines is not admitted)
2
Health Questionnaire
- Have you been sick in the last 14 days?
- Have you been around anyone that has been sick in the last 14 days?
- Have you traveled outside the country in the last month?
- Have your medications changed in the last two weeks?
- Do you have any medications with you? (Staff member to collect if yes)
- Hair-check for any evidence of lice
!
Any camper who is symptomatic or is suspicious of being symptomatic will not be allowed inside the Camp Ozark premises or be allowed to travel to camp by bus or airplane.
ONGOING Screening at camp
Continual screening during your child’s stay at Camp Ozark.
1
In 2020, staff will take camper temperatures daily at the cabin and are trained to recognize any additional symptoms of communicable diseases, forwarding campers with elevated temperatures or other symptoms to one of our two Health Centers immediately for further evaluation.
2
One-week campers are screened under the supervision of a medical professional mid-week during a health and wellness check for the following:
- Any evidence of symptoms of communicable illness
- Overall cleanliness including hair, skin, and nails
- Any rashes that need further medical attention
- Any infected bites that need further medical attention
3
Two-week campers are screened under the supervision of a medical professional in both the first and second week during a health and wellness check for the following:
- Any evidence of symptoms of communicable illness
- Overall cleanliness including hair, skin, and nails
- Any rashes that need further medical attention
- Any infected bites that need further medical attention
Summer Staff
Commitment to Robust Staffing
Camp Ozark intentionally hires an ample number of qualified, well-trained staff, knowing this is crucial to providing an incomparable environment for campers. In addition to robust in-cabin staff and cabin supervisory staff, Camp Ozark hires numerous support staff to manage behind-the-scenes operations, allowing cabin counselors and leadership staff to focus on camper supervision and the overall camper experience.
- 1:3 staff-to-camper ratio
- Over 250 returning summer staff
- Summer staff hired from over 100+ different colleges and universities
- Over 100 American Red Cross certified lifeguards
- Over 50 upperclassmen supervisory staff (Top Staff) for program and cabin areas
- Majority of staff work 3 or more sessions
Staff Recruitment
ONLY THE BEST
SUMMER STAFF
Industry-leading Screening and Selection Procedures
Experienced recruiting team
Camp Ozark recruiters are a team of high-quality, college-educated leaders dedicated to excellence in pursuit of the Camp Ozark mission. Visit the Our People page to learn more.
Intensive, expert-driven screening
Recruiters undergo multiple expert-driven training sessions focused on screening, selection, and quality control. These trainings are meticulously developed and presented by industry-leading experts in child protection, such as Praesidium, and are based on decades of experience in camp staffing.
Uncompromising hiring standards
The recruiting team interviews over 2,800 applicants for a limited number of positions.
SUMMER STAFF
BUILT DIFFERENT
role model
Positive, fun, Christian role models
LEADER
Spiritually, emotionally, professionally
HIGHLY TRAINED
Thoroughly trained in the areas of camper safety and camper care
Dependable
Follows through on commitments
Servant- hearted
Willingly helps and serves others
Authentic
Speaks truthfully and lives with integrity
SUMMER STAFF
Extensive Application, Interview, and Redundant Review Process
Extensive application process
The summer staff application process is substantial and includes a personal interview, a written application, and submission of 4 references for all first-time applicants.
Redundant applicant review systems
Camp Ozark utilizes a redundant application review system to facilitate a thorough evaluation of all applicants.
SUMMER STAFF
Comprehensive Training
Pre-arrival online training that includes:
- The camp safety equation
- Child protection
- Behavior boundaries
- Creating a safe environment
- Staff rules
- Camp policies
Thorough on-site orientation that includes:
- Specific program area safety skills certifications and trainings
- Camper protection training
- Camper care and monitoring training
- Emergency preparedness training and drills
- Extensive training on all staff policies and reporting procedures
- Routine skills re-verification and training throughout summer
- And more
Multi-layered
cabin supervision
EACH CABIN
Leadership Staff
POD LEADER
TOP STAFF
3 Counselors
SUMMER STAFF
Layered Approach to Camper Monitoring
Camp Ozark’s multi-level approach to camper supervision and staff accountability is designed to provide a consistent staff presence in cabins and program areas, facilitate reporting and communication opportunities, and provide effective staff oversight.
- Cabin staff receive specialized training and are assigned to a single cabin.
- Cabin Top Staff are experienced, returning staff leaders who are responsible for supervising the counselors and campers. Top Staff live near cabins, and are present in both program areas and their assigned cabin areas throughout the day.
- Cabin Permanent Staff (or "POD Leaders") are full-time staff with considerable experience working with campers and supervising staff. They are directly responsible for the supervision of an age- and gender-specific section of cabins.
- All program areas are supervised by Top or Permanent Staff during the program day.
SUMMER STAFF
Camp Moms and Program Dads
A team of former Camp Ozark staff members who are now experienced parents of camp-aged children, dedicated to camper care, special situations, and program quality control.
- The Camp Mom and Program Dad team consists of over 40 moms and dads who have a total of over 200 summers of Camp Ozark experience.
- This team also includes an on-campus Care Consultant who is available to all campers for extra support, as needed.
- The Camp Moms and Program Dads roam our program throughout the day, monitoring the camper experience and providing a valuable presence within the camp program.
We partner with Praesidium, the nation’s leader in child protection. Through their nationally-leading expertise and our own focused commitment and research, we have crafted screening, selection, monitoring, and operating procedures that prioritize camper protection.
