Where is CDO located?
CDO is located just 10 miles south of Rolla, MO on 10 acres of land that was donated to the camp. This is approx. 120 miles west of St. Louis, about a two hour drive. If you areout of state and want to fly here, the St. Louis airport is the closest international airport. Click Here For Directions.
How does CDO get the names of children of prisoners?
CDO gets the names of children with one or both parents in prison from ANGEL TREE, a branch of Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministry. For more info on Angel Tree, or to read testimonies of the difference camp has made in the lives of these children go to Angel Tree
How do the children get to camp?
CDO provides transportation to campers within a 120 mile radius. Some families are able to drive their children here, but most of these prisoner’s children need transportation to get to camp. This is one aspect that makes CDO so unique.
Where do the children come from?
The geographical service area for Camp David of the Ozarks includes the local towns of Rolla, St. James, Newburg, and Salem. The service area goes north as far as Jefferson City, east as far as St. Louis, south as far as Mountain Grove, and west as far as Lebanon. The counties in the service area include: Cole, Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Jefferson, Laclede, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, St. Louis, Texas, and Washington. Here are some graphs to show where our campers have come from:
Is it really a FREE camp?
The camp is free to all the campers because caring people sponsor them to come to camp. To learn how you can sponsor a child go to: SPONSOR A CHILD The camp ministry is supported by gifts from individuals and churches all across the USA. These gifts enable CDO to make improvements to the campground, as well as send out mailings and camp newsletters.
Is anyone paid at CDO?
All the staff are volunteers. Camp directors Ben and Grace Smith are praying for personal support so they can serve full time in the camp ministry. Other volunteers may raise personal support as summer missionaries.
Are there any other camps for prisoner’s children in MO?
Yes, there is one other camp that is dedicated to reaching prisoner’s children at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our sister camp, Sagrada Scholarship Bible Camp, ministers to kids in the north western part of the state. To learn more about SSBC go to: www.sagradabiblecamp.org
How does CDO bring hope to these children?
The only way to have true hope in this world is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Most of our campers come from troubled homes and some only heard God’s name as a curse word. At CDO these children learn the Ten Commandments so they can understand right and wrong, and their need for a Savior. We also tell them of Gods free gift of eternal life though Jesus Christ and invite them to become part of the family of God.
Many of our campers have suffered from abuse, neglect, rejection and have lost their ability to trust. At camp they learn to trust again though unconditional love and relationships with the staff and their counselor. They all laugh and play together, and create happy memories.
These children of prisoners often feel despair because of the cycle of crime and poverty that they grow up in. Another way that we, at CDO, give them hope is through the stories of guest speakers. These guests are chosen to share because they have experienced many of the things our campers have, but have overcome and found true happiness and success.
What makes CDO unique?
- Free scholarships for each camper
- One counselor per two campers
- Camp €œGrandma and €œGrandpa
- Separate boys and girls camps
- Stories of hope by guest speakers
- Petting Zoo and Horse Program
- Covered wagon cabins
- Bible studies with drama and puppets
- Birthday parties and special events
- Transportation provided for campers
- Personal backpacks with camp gear
- Individual photo albums of camp
- Monthly newsletter for campers
