About

Hope of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization committed to bringing hope to those who need it most—children and teens with a parent in prison—through Christian summer camps and community.

During each week of camp, the volunteer staff at Hope of the Ozarks encourage campers that they have value and can make good, positive choices for their future. Campers enjoy a variety of classic camping activities like horseback riding, swimming, field games, and crafts, plus a new theme adventure each summer. Camp leaders use TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) strategies to connect with the child’s heart and teach tools for managing emotions and solving conflict in a healthy way. Every camper is celebrated during a weekly birthday party that reinforces the value of each life.

During the school year, Hope of the Ozarks hosts a monthly “Night of Camp” which reunites campers and staff to keep building on the friendships started during summer camp. Campers look forward to receiving a monthly newsletter with updates from camp and bible lessons. Many campers go on to serve on staff at Hope of the Ozarks, and a gap year internship is offered to recent high school graduates to build job experience.  Caregivers can rest easy knowing their child has a community that supports them and encourages them to create a better life for themselves because of the hope they found while camping in the Ozarks.

The whole goal for this camp, from the fun activities to how our counselors interact with the kids, is to do one thing: to open that little, locked heart, love on that child, and do some real good in there.

The early years:

Children of prisoners are at high risk for trafficking, abuse, poverty, and are trapped in a generational pattern of incarceration, so in 2003, Camp David of the Ozarks was founded by Ben and Grace Smith as a camp for these most vulnerable young people. The first year saw the building of two covered wagon cabins, two outhouses, and a cook shack on a donated section of family land in rural Missouri. The first two weeks of camp had 18 campers in July 2004. Construction continued with volunteers doing most of the work to extend donations as far as possible. The number of campers served continued to grow and full-time team members were brought on board to meet the need, and an internship was developed in 2011. In 2022, after 19 years as Camp David of the Ozarks, the board of directors rebranded as Hope of the Ozarks to reflect the mission of introducing campers to the hope of Jesus Christ.  

Today, summer camp reaches over 100 campers each year with many former campers in staff and leadership roles. The Impact Internship boasts the current assistant camp director, mentoring coordinator, and equestrian manager among its graduates. Plans are in place to continue growing the facilities and increase year-round staff housing. 

If you’re raising a child with a parent in prison, you understand the challenges these children face daily in our society. No one can care for your child like you can, but while they’re attending camp at Hope of the Ozarks, you can rest easy knowing they’re in good hands.

We are pleased to offer a week of camp to your child free of cost thanks to a grant from Angel Tree and caring friends of the HOTO ministry. We have many supporters who work together to make this the best week of your child’s summer – from handmade quilts on every bunkbed, to backpacks filled with supplies, to a birthday party, this community cares about your family and provides an unforgettable experience for your child that helps you as well. This scholarship includes their week of camp, a subscription to the HOTO camper newsletter, and invitations to Night of Camp – a monthly event during the school year. 

Hope of the Ozarks' goal is to empower campers to break the cycle of generational incarceration through hope,  opportunities, and community.. We believe in creating a safe, compassionate place where having a parent in prison isn't something to hide or feel ashamed of, because every other camper understands and has a similar story to share. Many campers appreciate being able to talk freely about what their lives are like and know the people around them are in the same situation; while others are ready to forget about life for a week and relax and enjoy all the activities camp has to offer. We make room for both! 

Keeping your camper safe from harm is one of our top priorities. We keep our group sizes small (4-6 campers per group) and we follow a strict "3 or more" at all times, ensuring our staff are never alone with campers and that campers are never alone without a staff member present. 

HOTO is a group centered camp. Teams create a group cheer, design a team flag, and spend their days together all day. This creates a powerful opportunity for belonging, which is an outcome we value highly. When any of our campers have a hard time, our counselors are carefully trained to acknowledge first, challenge second. We do not give up on children, label them as "bad" or focus on punishment. Our approach works, and campers typically "opt-in" to more successful behaviors during camp.  Behavior involving meanness or rudeness or even resembling bullying is quickly and effectively addressed by our staff. One of the tools we use is TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention). In a nutshell, we coach our counselors and staff to look beyond any behavior challenges, and first connect with the child's heart, then redirect them.  

Sessions of overnight camp last from Monday at 11:30am until Fridays at 1pm. Each week is for a different age group and gender. Junior campers are 8-12 years old, and teen campers are 13-16 years old. Boys and girls come on separate weeks. We hold a bonus week of camp called Timothy Training, which is by invitation only for teen campers who show leadership potential and are interested in becoming staff. Invites will be handed out on Friday of teen camps and caregivers contacted shortly thereafter.  Many campers who attend this week of training learn to take responsibility, set goals, and have job experience they will use throughout their lives.