Directions - Hope of the Ozarks

Map / Physical Directions

Hope of the Ozarks is located about 10 miles South of Rolla, about 120 miles West of St Louis.

Take Highway 63 7 miles South of Rolla. You will pass an older gas station on the right: Stop-N-Go. Continue on Hwy 63 past the gas station about 3/10 of a mile and turn left onto County Road 5300. Go about a mile and when the road comes to a T, turn right onto County Road 5310. Go another mile until you see a Hope of the Ozarks sign and group of mailboxes on the left, then take the right directly across from them onto Private Drive 5316. Go down the driveway all the way back (stay to the right at the Y) until you see our office building and signs.

Code of Conduct

To put it simply, we ask that you respect the God of this camp, the others around you at camp, and the camp property itself.

Follow the directions of your leaders.
Respect people and their things.
Stop when someone says stop.
Follow the Dress Code.
No food, drinks (other than water bottles), candy, or gum in your cabins or housing.
No bad language or potty humor.
Be where you are supposed to be.
Be with your team and do not cause disruptions to the camp program.
We do not talk about other people, or leader's decisions, spread stories that may or may not be true, or hurt people with our words (IE, "Your Mama….", "When we get home I am going to….")
We are a team, not a gang!
We play in the real world at Camp, not the electronic world. Please do not use your phones outside of appropriate usage time.
We do not seek new romantic relationships during camp, treat each other as siblings in Christ.
No bullying or fear tactics, we do not manipulate, poke, or victimize a person or a situation.
We are not a revenge culture or a community that claps back because “they deserved it”
We do not fight, hit, throw punches, or pretend to fight.
Build community by including others - don't break off into cliques that exclude.
Don't bring books, games, music, or videos that promote non-Christian values or are over PG rating.

The following will send a Camper or Staff Member home. These may also include legal action.

Sexual misconduct such as come on’s, texting, harassment, wedgies, and mooning.
Sneaking out after lights out.
Insubordination - defiance of leaders or refusing to follow directions.
Vandalism, intentional destruction of property, physical violence.
Stealing from campers, volunteers, or camp property.
Use or possession of drugs, porn, tobacco, vapes, fake cigarettes, E-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, weapons, or alcohol during camp sessions.
Romantic attachment (including sexting)between staff and campers.
Falsehood in the application process.

General Care and Housekeeping

Keep your space clean and orderly. Make your bed, put things nicely away, and pick up your trash.
Keep all personal items under your bunk, on your person, or in your backpack.
Keep community areas clean. Clutter happens and we all need to do our part to fight it. Clean up loose cups and plates, pick up random pieces of trash, help keep camp tidy.
Keep your cell phone in the designated areas and only use it during your free time. Only Leadership has permission to have their phones on them outside of free time. Cell phones are not allowed in camper cabins, wagons, or the shower house.

Packing List

All staff positions are provided with HOTO uniform t-shirts to wear while volunteering.

Everyone should bring:

A watch
Flashlight and a backpack
Sleeping bag and pillow
Towel and washcloth
Sneakers and casual footwear (can include athletic sandals)
Modest swimsuits
Pants, shorts ( at minimum 3-inch inseam) and other casual attire for at least 5 days
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc)
Bible, notebook, pen
Jacket and long pants for cool evenings
Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat
Money for the General Store (optional)

Additional Instructions:

Wranglers must pack jeans and boots and a hat.
Kitchen Crew and helpers must pack a hat or bandana to keep their hair back.
Counselors, Leaders, Grandparents and Photographers: Pack nice dress-up clothes - dress shirt & tie for guys and a nice dress or formal gown for Princess Dinners. Remember to pack nice shoes and other accessories!
Support Staff, Wranglers, and Lifers will be servers during the Princess Dinners and Birthday parties so pack black slacks (or skirts) and bring a white dress shirt with a collar. We will have matching bow ties for you to wear!
Support Staff, Wranglers, Photographers, and Leaders: Bring a costume to go with our theme –whatever it is!

Do Not Bring List

Electronics, video games systems, or valuables (HOTO will not be responsible for lost or stolen property)
Books, games, music, or videos that promote non-Christian values or are over PG rating.
Clothes that do not align with the dress code.
Drugs, porn, tobacco, vapes, fake cigarettes, E-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, weapons, or alcohol

Dress Code

Dress Code Goal: Have a professional camp staff image and appear trustworthy to camper's parents

Athletic shoes (sneakers or sandals with a back strap) are required during work hours. Free time footwear can include flip flops but bare feet are not recommended.
No underwear showing, saggy pants, or wide arm holes in t-shirts.
Clothing graphics should not contain profanity, offensive or inappropriate slogans or pictures.
Piercings and tattoos must be in moderation and immodest or inappropriate tattoos must be covered.
No speedos, high cut leg, mesh, or bikini swimsuits. Wear shirts over swimsuits when walking to the pool.
No short shorts, minimum 3 inch inseam.
No spaghetti strap tops or bra straps showing.
No large hoop or dangle earrings.
Keep hair and beards neat and trimmed.
Maintain good hygiene - shower and brush teeth daily.

Staff must follow the HOTO dress code when staying at camp on weekends.

Reminders

All medication and supplements (even OTC meds like Tylenol) must be checked in with the Health Program Director or First Aid Officer and stored in the Nurse’s Station if you are under 18 years old OR sharing housing with minors (IE a counselor).

If you have a particular favorite snack you can bring it and keep it in the staff kitchen in Grandpa Tom’s Cabin with your name on it, but space is limited to a few items per person. You can bring money for the general store.

FAQ