DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY,dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – Positive cases of COVID-19 reported among counselors and campers has led Camp Ozark to send campers home last Wednesday, July 8.
The Montgomery County News began receiving reports Tuesday, July 7, that the camp had positives cases among staff and campers. The reports were confirmed during the question and answer period of the Governor’s press conference last week.
A message sent to family members of campers was shared with The Montgomery County News. The message was sent July 6 informing parents that Camp Ozark had identified their first COVID-19 positive cases. It went on to state that the camp’s POD plan is designed to help contain exposure while allowing for summer programming. Contact tracing protocol was followed and the contact group was asked to depart camp and quarantine and monitor their status.
July 7 Camp Ozark owner Sam Torn posted a Youtube video explaining that due to the positive cases of COVID-19 the camp would be closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
“I am fully aware of the disappointment this brings to many, especially the campers, I am fully aware that plans will have to be adjusted, but it’s the right thing to do,” Torn said, “Additional but limited spread has occurred, and we have continued with our contact tracing procedures and informed the families of those affected.”
A second Youtube video shared that camp would resume July 19 with Session 4 running through July 25. Session 5 would be held July 26 through August 1. Sessions G and H would be held as scheduled.
No specific number of positive cases at camp have been reported with owner Sam Torn stating it was a limited number on both videos. A phone call to Camp Ozark resulted in MCN staff being told the owner would get back with us, but no return call has been made as of press time.
Camp Ozark was open approximately six weeks with no reports of positive COVID-19 cases before this incident occurred last week.
Camp YoLaWiGo, a small Church camp held in Story, cancelled their camp scheduled for this past weekend after hearing Camp Ozark had sent campers home.
