Back to Nature

Camp Courage USA gets children away from the digital and focuses on hiking, archery, fishing, swimming and more.

It seems the biggest challenge for parents nowadays is mitigating how much “screen time” children indulge in. Video games mimic physical activities and sports. Smartphones offer instant access to movies and TV shows in the car and anywhere else a phone signal permeates. Camp Courage, a nationally accredited camp, offers children an outlet combining fun with the outdoors in a positive environment that instills a love for nature, and builds confidence and friendships for life.

“We are so proud of this accreditation because it exceeds state standards,” said Camp Courage founder and director Jennifer Hayes. “This took a year of preparation on our part. From revising procedures to working with staff, we had to be evaluated in person on discipline, safety, etc. It’s definitely a credit to our staff. We are so proud of them.”

Accreditation is a family’s best evidence that their camp is committed to the health, safety and overall well-being of their child. ACA Accredits approximately 2,400 diverse camps nationally, each camp meeting up to 300 health and safety standards.

Jennifer and her husband, Ronnie, started the nonprofit organization seven years ago. The couple of over 20 years has worked hard to bring their faith-based youth camp to life.

Camp Courage is a sort of buffet of outdoor activity for children ages 5 to 14. With activities ranging from hikes, fishing and archery to swimming and canoeing, children find themselves less drawn to the virtual world and enjoying the real world. With encouragement and guidance from leaders and the small groups of eight, campers meet challenges and have fun, building self-esteem and confidence.

Campers engage in different field trips every week to ward off a redundant summer.Parents can even pick different weeks for children, so no need to choose between summer camp and family vacation.

Registration is now open for summer day camp in Owasso. Children are dropped off at “Base Camp” between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Parents may pick them up between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Before and after care is available also. Sessions run throughout June and July, and into mid-August.