Churches
and Scout Groups from hundreds of miles away have put the group camps of Robbers
Cave high on their list of camping favorites. They bring their own food, their
own linen, and provide their own security.
Churches Camp Out At
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Churches
and Scout Groups from hundreds of miles away have put the group camps of Robbers
Cave high on their list of camping favorites. They bring their own food, their
own linen, and provide their own security.
The camping areas are policed (cleaned) regularly by each group, and the centralized restrooms are very clean. A fully equipped kitchen, dining hall and community center come with the territory. The big kitchen has two walk in freezers and a commercial sized refrigerator to make things easy on the cooks. A huge room off to one side can be used for crafts, or for dining. "That is for the group to decide," said James Dawson, "Anything here can be used any way they want it to be."
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James pointed out that the clustered cabins were erected in the 1930's and were so well built by the Civilian Conservation Corp they are only now needing to be renovated. "The CCC lived in these cabins while building and rebuilding much of the State Park's finest features, like the pathways up to the cave itself. They were paid fifty cents a day and worked long hours." Up to 250 people can mingle happily at Camp #1, while Camp #2 will accommodate up to 160.
Church leaders like to bring their groups here and use this time together with the youthful members of their congregation for providing spiritual experiences, for talking one-on-one with the kids. A large open-air tabernacle is set up with chairs and a pulpit for group (church) use To keep the kids occupied the park has a swing set, a swimming pool, YEH! Canoes, yakanoes, and bicycles can be rented, along with paddle boats. (Phone 918 465 5005 for rental prices.) A miniature golf course challenges the luck of everyone. Snack bars and pop machines are plentiful enough to keep all the kids happy.
On top of that, every day of the week there is something going on here, horse back riding, nature hikes, guided canoe rides, nature Bingo, tour of the cave, animal talk where you can help feed, learn about and hold some of the animals, learn to do nature arts and crafts, tour the cave itself, hay ride, and the favorite delight -- hillbilly fishin'. The only downside seems to be a lack of air conditioning for the cabins. That doesn't bother the kids that much, but adult leaders do set up a petition before they leave for someone to provide them with window air conditioners for THEIR cabins. "I know my pioneer ancestors are turning over in their graves, but I can't live without air conditioning." |
Centralized bathrooms are close enough for nightly emergencies and distant enough to encourage planning beforehand.
Rocks (more like boulders) are conveniently arranged to keep cars from careering through the grounds. They provide convenient and surprisingly comfortable perching places for children to sit and share the day's events.
The kids like it here so well that when it comes time to pack and go home many of them are in tears. Some of them go so far as to refuse to pack. Virtually all of them are excited about the opportunity of coming back next year.
Lin Stone is an author, writer and photographer living in Noble Oklahoma You can have immediate, and free, reading of many more pieces when you send your little surfer scooting to Lin's home page at http://www.talewins.com/StoneSoup.htm where he keeps stirring up more good things for the soul.
