Ozark Family

FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER

OZARK

FAMILY

SPRING 2009 + VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

+SAM SAYS “WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN WHAT TRUE FRIENDSHIP REALLY MEANS.” —CAMP OZARK OWNER SAM TORN

+INSIDE THIS ISSUE + OZONE + SAM SAYS + CAMP OZARK FOUNDATION + MEET DEBBIE PRIDDY

SPECIAL FEATURE

CAMP OZARK MISSION TRIP

CONTENTS OZARK FAMILY SPRING 09

This 2nd edition of Ozark Family, the quarterly publication of the Camp Ozark Foundation, focuses on friendship, one of the five core values that are the foundation of the Camp Ozark “Values Based Camping” initiative. In addition to being an emphasis at Camp Ozark, this core value of “friendship” permeates all of the activities, endeavors and ministries we provide through the Camp Ozark Foundation. We hope you, our friends, enjoy this spring edition of “Ozark Family” and we hope you will prayerfully consider becoming our partners as we minister to kids and families in our various local communities.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 3 SAM SAYS “We believe it is important for all of us to learn what true friendship really means.”

4 CAMP OZARK MISSION TRIP 120 permanent staff and counselors traveled to Northwestern Mexico for a mission experience.

5 STAFF FOCUS Meet Debbie Priddy

CAMP OZARK FOUNDATION

6 FRIENDS AND FAMILIES / ASK THE DR! 7 OZONE 8 GREEN GENE / OZARK FOR ALL

SURF + READ

Mission To facilitate the emotional and spiritual growth of children and youth, regardless of wealth status, through the provision of a Christ-centered, values-based summer camp experience and year-round ministry and mentoring.

Stop in at campozark.com. Learn more about all the great things currently going on at Camp Ozark and in the Ozark Foundation.

The Camp Ozark Foundation is a 501c3 Non-profit Corp.

CREDITS

Executive Editor + Ceci Torn Layout and Graphic Design + Scott Burks

SAM SAYS

Sam and Susan Torn are the owners and operators of Incomparable Camp Ozark.

They are also the founders of the Camp Ozark Foundation and Sam is a frequent speaker on the subject of Christian values to youth, adults and families.

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

It

was earlier, much earlier, than I had originally anticipated being awakened. The sun had not yet begun to show its golden rim on the eastern horizon. Little did I know on that pre dawn Christmas Eve morning that I would not see even a hint of the sun for several days to come. My wife, Susan, three young children, Scott, Chris and Angela, and I had travelled from Houston for a pre-Christmas family ski trip. We had spent five great days skiing as a family in Beaver Creek, Colorado, before slipping back into Denver on the 23rd of December to spend the evening with my close friend, Marvin, and his young family. Our flight back to Texas was scheduled for mid-morning on the 24th, so as I gradually awakened with some prodding from Marvin, I slowly began to comprehend what he was telling me. “Sam, we need to get you guys to the airport because a bad blizzard is coming, and if we don’t get you there now, we might not be able to get you there at all”, he said. So, Susan and I quickly awakened our children, loaded into Marv’s van and set out for the Denver airport. The sky was heavily overcast and the snow had already begun to fall as we made the drive to the airport early on that Christmas Eve. Though the roads were quickly becoming slick and Icy, Marvin got us to the airport without too much trouble and dropped us off at the airport without tarrying too long to say goodbye so that he could make it home to his family before the roads became too unsafe to navigate. I was able to check our family in for our flight without any problem and we settled down to await our flight back to Texas…a flight that would never leave, at least not on that date. As the snow intensified outside, our flight and others began to show as “delayed” on the large board located close to our gate. At first the anticipated delay was short, but then as the storm continued to intensify outside, the short delay turned longer… and longer… and longer. Finally, about 3 p.m. all flights out of Denver were cancelled for Christmas Eve. In addition, all roads were closed; taxis and busses were not running and, as a result, no one would be leaving the airport. We were stranded…on Christmas Eve…in the Denver airport. Disgruntled, travelers began to stake out areas of the terminal to try and achieve a level of comfort for their families. The airlines even opened up some of the grounded planes to relieve some of the overcrowding in the terminal. Soon, the various vendors ran out of food and water and the inevitability of a crowded, cold, uncomfortable Christmas Eve away from family and friends began to settle in on the throngs trapped in the Denver airport, including the Torn family. About 4:30 p.m., late on Christmas Eve afternoon, I got up from our cramped nook in the terminal and began to take a stroll down through the gate area of the terminal. My wife and I were running out of games to play to keep the kids occupied, the nerves of our fellow strandees were becoming frazzled and I simply wanted to walk for a few minutes to reenergize myself for the long, uncomfortable night that lay ahead before giving my wife a similar break. Suddenly I couldn’t believe my eyes. There, navigating his way through the crowded terminal was my friend, Marvin. Soon he saw me and we began to stride purposefully toward one another. “What in the world are you doing here, Marvin?”, were the only words I could muster. “Come on”, he said, “get your family, we’re going home”. I obviously didn’t protest, but nonetheless remained incredulous that Marvin had even made it to the airport considering the conditions outside. I gathered up Susan and the kids and, stepping over and around hundreds of stranded travelers, followed Marvin out the terminal to his van, which just happened to be the only vehicle in sight. As we loaded up in the van and began to slowly navigate the treacherous road conditions, I soon realized just how much Marvin had risked to help a friend. The roadways of Denver, Colorado were virtually abandoned. Large 18 wheelers were jackknifed across the interstates making them impassable at many junctions. There were cars and trucks of all makes and models parked on the shoulders of the road, unoccupied, their occupants having abandoned them for one reason or another. The snow was falling so fast and so thick that it was almost impossible to see more than a few feet in front of your face, and yet my friend Marvin had ignored all of the danger, all of the inconvenience and all the advice he had received telling him to remain safe and comfortable at home for the simple purpose of helping a friend. I can’t say it only took a few minutes to reach Marvin’s home…it didn’t. I can’t say it wasn’t scary…it was. I can’t say I would do it again…I might not. I can tell you we made it, my family and me. And because I had a friend who was more interested in the well being of another than his own, because I had a friend who was willing to suffer inconvenience, discomfort, the loss of valuable time with his own loved ones and even danger, my family and I spent one of the most memorable Christmases any of us would ever spend…far from the normal trappings of Christmas…presents, home, extended family…but, in the company of true friends, celebrating that friendship and the friendship of the One whose birthday we were to celebrate the very next day.

One of the core values of Camp Ozark is the simple value of friendship. We believe it is important for all of us to learn what true friendship really means, that friendship is not gained through the click of a button on a social networking site, nor through the casual encounter with someone you might know. Rather, true, lasting, meaningful friendship is only found in genuine caring, genuine investment in the life of another, genuine commitment in good times and bad and genuine sharing of strengths and weaknesses. Friendship, we believe, is not easy, but it is well worth it.

The next morning, Christmas morning, the snow had stopped falling and the worst blizzard in over 100 years had moved beyond the confines of Denver, Colorado. After sharing a wonderful Christmas breakfast with Marvin and his family, a neighbor of Marvin’s sacrificed a portion of his Christmas with his family to drive my family and me to the Denver airport in his 4 wheel drive vehicle. Late that afternoon, our flight was the first flight to leave Denver, Colorado in nearly two days. We didn’t make it to grandma’s house back in Texas until well after midnight. There had been no Santa Claus, no exchange of gifts around the tree, no formal Christmas dinner with the relatives. Instead there had been the unforgettable experience of true, lasting friendship, an experience none of my family would ever forget. Thanks, Marv. God bless.

3 Sam Says

2009 CAMP OZARK MISSION TRIP MEXICO

This year marked our first ever summer staff mission trip. The journey carried our group of about 120 permanent staff and counselors to Northwestern Mexico where we partnered with Gloria Al Padre (GAP) Ministries to provide aid to the citizens of Aldama and Chihuahua, Mexico. GAP was founded approximately 10 years ago by the late William Parmer, a Texas preacher, and Hugo Irogoyen, a Mexican physician. Since then, GAP has evolved into a ministry existing solely to share the Gospel, while meeting the basic needs of the people of Mexico by establishing permanent clinics, a children’s home, multiple churches and rural hospitals.

Our focus was to provide care in three main areas: children’s evangelism, medical assistance, and construction. Each participant was assigned to a team in one of these areas for the 4 days of work. The majority of our group worked in the area we know best, the children’s day camps, offering local children the opportunity to engage in fun activities, sports, crafts, and most importantly the message of Jesus Christ. Our medical team, which included nurses, physicians, and college students studying in different areas of health care, spent each day providing free health care and services at the GAP clinics and ministering to children and families in invaluable ways. The remainder of our participants labored to serve GAP through construction and maintenance, providing GAP the opportunity to better equip their facilities to serve their daily purposes.

Each evening we spent reflecting in worship and fellowship with wonderful opportunities to share of the day’s experiences and grow closer as a group. In what was viewed as a potential obstacle prior to the trip, the language barrier we faced in Mexico, in fact, taught us great lessons. Safe travel, protection, and an overall amazing experience were just a few of God’s blessings over our adventure to Mexico. We thank the Lord for such a great opportunity to work alongside the Mexican people this past January, understanding that we might have taken away just as much from the trip as we provided.

“The trip was so cool because normally when I think of ministry to children I think that I need to verbally tell them about God and I sometimes forget about showing it through actions. But this trip was primarily action. It was pouring out love on these children and just being with them and sharing God’s love that way, which was incredible.”

– Robin Darcy, TCU Student “It was a very big blessing to have this huge and incredible group! People are asking me when you are coming back. We learned a lot on this trip. The group touched many lives in many ways. We pray and hope that the seed planted in all the children can produce good results at the right time.”

– Hugo Irogoyen, GAP Ministries 4 Camp Ozark Mission Trip

“My wife, Susan, and I have been financial partners with GAP for the past nine years. We believe in the ministry of GAP because it is practical, efficient, and works within the local culture of Mexico as opposed to forcing our American culture.”

– Sam Torn, Camp Ozark

STAFF FOCUS Meet Debbie Priddy

What is your favorite part about the Ozark experience?

Our favorite part of the Ozark experience is definitely the relationships. Wade and I met and married at Camp Ozark (who says an Osage can’t marry a Caddo??) and we first met many of our closest friends at Camp. Many of our kids’ best friends are campers or part of the Camp family. Since we are a military family and move often, Camp is a reference point for us – the closest thing we have to a hometown. Our kids can’t wait to see their camp friends every summer, no matter where we live during the school year. We are also extremely blessed to have college students who stay connected with our kids throughout the school year. It makes a ton of difference in all of our lives. Camp has also played a huge part in strengthening and deepening our individual relationships with God. Whether through the joys of friendships or the challenges of long, intense summers, He continually uses Camp to remind us that we are not alone and that we can’t do “it” alone.

What is your role (both current and past) at Ozark?

I am the Associate Director for Human Resources. I was a counselor and on Top Staff and Permanent Staff from 1985 to 1991 and have been an Associate Director since 2001. My primary responsibility during the off season is putting the Summer Staff together. We have come a long way in this area since my first summer as a counselor back in 1985 - going from 22 cabins to 78 means quite a few more staff. During the summer I work hard to make sure we have the right people in the right places and we’re all providing the best (and safest) possible experience for the kids. I love college students…and at Camp Ozark we have the most amazing college students in the world. They never fail to make my job fun and interesting. Wade worked full time for camp after graduating from Vanderbilt. He is now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, but still loves to come to Camp.

Debbie, Wade, Andy and Bailey

What are you passionate about outside of Ozark? + Anything we can all do together as a family. + We enjoy supporting our kids, particularly in their sports and other extracurricular activities. + We also love doing simple things like going for bike rides or walking the dog together. + We both love running and have run a few marathons. + Our Newfoundland (dog) ‘Molly’ – she can do no wrong as far as I am concerned and no right as far as Wade is concerned. + I enjoy sharing my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned – some the hard way - with younger Marine wives and hopefully making their lives a little easier. + Reading

6 Staff Focus

5 Staff Focus

ASK THE DR!

Why do you serve as a Camp Ozark doctor?

Last year, I served my tenth year as Camp doctor. Both of my daughters were eight year campers, but the last year for either one of them was five years ago. I remember asking Sam and Susan whether I had to stop coming to camp just because my daughters were grown up and off to college. Fortunately for me, they allowed me to come back.

When I received a promotion to serve as chief executive officer at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, I specifically indicated that I would need agreement that I could have two weeks off each summer to go to Camp Ozark. Why do I do it?

Because, it is an important aspect of my personal ministry. God has richly blessed me by giving me the opportunity to be a physician. This is one small way to give something back for this privilege and to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. I owe all to God and He blesses me everytime I am obedient to His calling. The Bible teaches us how important children are to Jesus and I believe He blesses us for caring for them.

Camp Ozark is a wonderful camp and an awesome ministry. It is a privilege and an honor for me to be associated with such a powerful ministry and an organization that is making a difference in the live’s of children. Plus, I have had the opportunity to meet the most awesome young adults that work as camp counselors and to work with some of the best nurses from Colorado and the Great State of Texas! Camp Ozark will always be an important part of my life, my daughters’ lives, and I am sure before long, my future grandchildren!

David C. Pate, M.D., J.D. CEO St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Houston, Texas

6 Friends and Family

OZARK FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER

BO BUSER DALLAS, TEXAS

I first attended Camp Ozark when I was twelve years old.

My obsession with competition made me immediately fall in love with Tribal Comp. It was definitely one of the main reasons I came back the next year.

As I got older, and gained maturity, which my dad says I still lack, the top reasons I loved Camp so much changed. I still love Tribal Comp to this day, but the real reason I can’t live without Camp is because of the people I have met.

My best and most accountable friends are those that I met at Camp Ozark and Ozone, a year round youth program run by Camp.

I met Ben Mattax at Camp. He wasn’t in my cabin his first summer, but he was close enough that we would somehow end up in a group together at the waterfront or craft shed. After several summers together, he is now one of my best friends. Unfortunately, he lives in St. Louis and I live in Dallas, but anytime he can, he will arrange a last minute trip down to Dallas to hang out with all of his Texas Ozarkers.

There have also been multiple post-midnight phone calls where one of us needs to talk to the other about anything from family to school to girls.

I thank God everyday for showing me to Camp Ozark. Without Camp, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. It truly is the most amazing and entertaining place filled with the most amazing and entertaining people. Nowhere else would you be able to become close enough friends with your Putt Putt Elective Instructor that you would have lunch with him every time he comes home from college. All of these friendships last a lifetime, because Camp Ozark friends are friends forever.

TEAM NORRIS LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Conley Grayson(10) & Greer(8) are forming special bonds with their “Camp Friends!”

They already have stronger ties with their hometown friends that attend the same Camp Ozark session and they are enamored with the out-of-state girls. Yes, there is something extremely exciting about having friends from other parts of the country, but that is not what makes the relationships genuinely rare! They are establishing sincere friendships because of the environment Camp Ozark fosters. The girls often talk about learning to be F.I.T. (First Is Third) at Camp! The girls are learning the importance of relationships and that the most you can do for a friend...is simply be a friend!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OZONEMINISTRIES.COM

OZONE MINISTRIES EXISTS TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ESTABLISH A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST, MATURE IN THEIR FAITH, LIVE IT OUT, AND DISCIPLE OTHERS.

OZONE COMMUNITY MENTORS

The Ozone Community Mentors (OCM) program exists to encourage high school Ozone students to participate in various service opportunities that exist not only within Ozone but throughout the local community. Service can be done in many ways, both through actions and prayer, with an emphasis on the art of building relationships through consistent and sincere follow-up.

OCM students serve as tutors, after school care volunteers and coaches. Many of the kids who benefit from the OCM program are also Ozark for All campers! Other OCM members commit their time to being junior leaders at Middle School Ozone meetings and have the opportunity to run games, lead worship and even share in lesson planning.

OCM volunteers also participate in a monthly bible study focusing on the importance of service, based on the life of Jesus, and gain invaluable experience leading and mentoring young kids in their community.

OZONE ON MISSION New Orleans, LA

This month 25+ Ozone kids from several different cities will spend one week in New Orleans, to help with the onoing relief efforts associated with past hurricane damage. It’s hard to believe that three years have passed and there is still much work to be done. Ozone has partnered with Adventures in Missions to set up an amazing week of rebuilding and evangelism. Ozone asks for your prayers for the kids who are volunteering their time and for the people being served in New Orleans!

EBALL! G D O D E N O Z O S DON”T MIS 1 AYETTE 3.2 F A L HOUSTON 2.28 410 Kids ... Awesome!

DALLAS 4.18 .4 BATON ROUGE 4

7 Ozone

OZARK FOR ALL TRANSFORMING LIVES, SHAPING CUTLURE

CAMP OZARK FOUNDATION 9225 KATY FREEWAY, SUITE 320 HOUSTON, TX 77024

Our goal is to reach as many kids through Ozark for All as possible. In 2009, with your generous support, we are hosting a special one-week session for 500 under-served children from urban areas. We are excited about the potential for your support of this ministry.

To make a contribution, visit campozark.com/foundation.

If you would like to help us share this experience with a deserving child, please consider a sponsorship or donation. + Sponsor a child - $400

+ Sponsor a cabin - $4000

+ Endow a Child - $8,000

+ Endow a Cabin - $80,000

*Endowment based on 5% yield per annum Learn more at campozark.com/foundation

GREEN GENE

Green Gene is always looking for ways to be a responsible steward of our resources.

Gene and Amy Sue Monk have been serving Camp Ozark in a wide variety of capacities for nearly 25 years.

Mini-fluorescent bulbs are a great way to save energy and lower your electricity costs. At Camp Ozark, we have switched almost entirely to mini-fluorescent bulbs in fixtures where incandescent bulbs were used. Mini-fluorescent bulbs use approximately 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than comparable incandescent bulbs. Mini-fluorescent bulbs definitely cost more than incandescent, but have dropped in price during recent years. Even though higher priced, the bulbs save enough electricity to justify the cost. As an added bonus, use of minifluorescent floods with their longer life means fewer instances of those pesky burned-out bulbs in hard-to-reach places.

Mini-fluorescents are readily available in 11 watt (60 watt incandescent equivalent) and 20 watt (100 watt equivalent). Mini-fluorescents are also available as flood-lights for outside use, with candelabra (mini) bases for vanities, and with enclosed glass “bulb” look for ceiling fans.

A few tips for using mini-fluorescents: Twenty watt mini-fluorescent bulbs are larger than normal incandescents and may not fit in some fixtures – table lamps for example. Mini-fluorescents don’t work well with dimmer switches. Finally, fluorescent lights, including minis, should be turned off when not needed. The notion that fluorescents are more efficient when left burning throughout the day is not true (as proven in a recent Mythbusters episode).