Scott Richards, Director of Camp War Eagle 365, has been a leader in Arkansas camps for almost 30 years. Before working at Camp War Eagle, Scott spent two decades at Camp War Eagle’s sister camp, Camp Ozark.
What is your job title?
Well let’s see. Old Guy, Old Fart, Long-in-Tooth, or Director of CWE 365.
How long have you worked for Camp War Eagle?
6 years
What are some of the responsibilities that come with your job?
Ensure that Alden (Associate Director of CWE 365) is always putting black ink on white paper, scheduling Hannah’s (Assistant Director of Mentoring) Bible studies, officiating CWE weddings, helping Erin (Springdale Ozone Director) with her “Yankee” attitude... Pretty much making sure that the CWE staff are meeting the goals of Ozone and Mentoring and being good stewards of the funds entrusted to us.
What does a normal day look like?
During the summer, I am pretty much on duty from 7 am to 11 pm supervising/consulting other Permanent Staff, Top Staff and Counselor staff. During the school year, my job consists of meeting with our Mentoring staff and Ozone staff on a regular basis and making sure these programs are striving for excellence at all times. My hours during this time usually run from 8 am until 4-5 pm, although oftentimes I will work some nights and weekends depending on our scheduled events.
What did you do before Camp War Eagle and what brought you to this position?
I was an eight grade math and Algebra 1/Algebra 2 teacher and a coach of football, basketball, track and tennis. I then worked for Camp Ozark in Mt. Ida, Arkansas for 21 years.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I really have a passion for kids and love watching them mature before my eyes. I love their honesty and willingness to share successes and challenges with me. I love that being outside, playing games, taking hikes, fishing and hanging out with kids is a big part of my job. Why wouldn’t anybody love this? When you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work!
What’s the most difficult part of the job?
Not having enough kid time during the non-summer months. And camper scheduling can be difficult at times.
Is there a favorite moment or story you have dealing with your position?
One of my favorite moments at camp happened many years ago. We were in the midst of Red, White and Blue Day when a rain shower developed. There was a boy named Charlie who was standing in the middle of the ball field and as his hair got more and more soaked, it started to get real foamy. He had washed his hair recently but had not done a very good job of rinsing it!
What is something that God has taught you through your position with Camp War Eagle?
That children’s lives are changed at camp, but that many times it is not because of something they have been told during Lifeline or during a devotional, but oftentimes it occurs because of a relationship that has been established during the session or through somebody modeling Christ-like behavior. And that all of this is in God’s control; I am just the messenger.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I enjoy physical exercise – running, biking, playing tennis, climbing Mt. Everest, rafting down the Colorado River, base jumping off skyscrapers, going off waterfalls in barrels, etc.
What is your job title?
Well let’s see. Old Guy, Old Fart, Long-in-Tooth, or Director of CWE 365.
How long have you worked for Camp War Eagle?
6 years
What are some of the responsibilities that come with your job?
Ensure that Alden (Associate Director of CWE 365) is always putting black ink on white paper, scheduling Hannah’s (Assistant Director of Mentoring) Bible studies, officiating CWE weddings, helping Erin (Springdale Ozone Director) with her “Yankee” attitude... Pretty much making sure that the CWE staff are meeting the goals of Ozone and Mentoring and being good stewards of the funds entrusted to us.
What does a normal day look like?
During the summer, I am pretty much on duty from 7 am to 11 pm supervising/consulting other Permanent Staff, Top Staff and Counselor staff. During the school year, my job consists of meeting with our Mentoring staff and Ozone staff on a regular basis and making sure these programs are striving for excellence at all times. My hours during this time usually run from 8 am until 4-5 pm, although oftentimes I will work some nights and weekends depending on our scheduled events.
What did you do before Camp War Eagle and what brought you to this position?
I was an eight grade math and Algebra 1/Algebra 2 teacher and a coach of football, basketball, track and tennis. I then worked for Camp Ozark in Mt. Ida, Arkansas for 21 years.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I really have a passion for kids and love watching them mature before my eyes. I love their honesty and willingness to share successes and challenges with me. I love that being outside, playing games, taking hikes, fishing and hanging out with kids is a big part of my job. Why wouldn’t anybody love this? When you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work!
What’s the most difficult part of the job?
Not having enough kid time during the non-summer months. And camper scheduling can be difficult at times.
Is there a favorite moment or story you have dealing with your position?
One of my favorite moments at camp happened many years ago. We were in the midst of Red, White and Blue Day when a rain shower developed. There was a boy named Charlie who was standing in the middle of the ball field and as his hair got more and more soaked, it started to get real foamy. He had washed his hair recently but had not done a very good job of rinsing it!
What is something that God has taught you through your position with Camp War Eagle?
That children’s lives are changed at camp, but that many times it is not because of something they have been told during Lifeline or during a devotional, but oftentimes it occurs because of a relationship that has been established during the session or through somebody modeling Christ-like behavior. And that all of this is in God’s control; I am just the messenger.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I enjoy physical exercise – running, biking, playing tennis, climbing Mt. Everest, rafting down the Colorado River, base jumping off skyscrapers, going off waterfalls in barrels, etc.
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