Located approximately one mile from Wappapello Lake, The Camp offers a variety of family-friendly outdoor activities in a laid-back environment. Opened in 2017 by Scott Preslar and Dina Rhodes, the scenic camping resort aims to be a home-away-from-home and provide services its guests find appealing.
The Camp Manager Lauren Lady said the property previously was used as a summer camp for the University of Missouri. Located on more than 160 acres along Wappapello Lake's southern border, the woodsy resort offers a variety of overnight options including what Lady described as "spacious camp sites."
Currently there are 75 RV and 10 tent sites, nine custom designed cabins and several small, unique dwellings called pods, which are similar to tiny homes. The pods have heat and air and the furnishings are comfortable, Lady said, but are without indoor plumbing.
"The pods don't have bathrooms, but they're next to the shower house," she said. "They're places to basically sleep. They have a bed, a two-person sofa, a microwave, a mini-fridge and a coffee maker."
The Camp Store is located near the property's entrance, as is Fireside, a restaurant offering buffet-style dining. The store sells supplies, food and other conveniences similar to those of a filling station.
Lady said a variety of outdoor entertainment options are readily available to guests and to the public. Karaoke is typically held on Friday nights and on Saturday nights bands perform during seasonable weather, usually through the end of October. Shooter Jennings, the son of country singer Waylon Jennings, is among the artists slated to perform in June.
Lady said soon after last year's opening, The Camp expanded its offerings to include wedding services. Wedding facilities include two barns, one serving as a chapel and the other as a reception area. New this year is a rustic outdoor venue in the woods, she added, which opened two weeks ago.
"You can either just rent the space or we also do complete decorating," she said. "We'll do all of it for you. Just come pick out your stuff and we'll do it all, except catering."
Aside from the recent addition of an in-ground swimming pool, The Camp offers a children's playground, arcade, volleyball area and basketball court. Nearby trails provide access to hiking and horseback riding. Lady said guests also forge their own paths through the woods on the property.
Kayak, canoe and golf cart rentals are available for daily use in The Camp's private lake. Lady said guests are allowed to fish, but added that it's catch-and-release only.
The Camp is located off Highway KK, 0.2 of a mile west of Hwy. T, on Univeristy Forest Drive. For more information, including pricing and availability, call 573-222-7206.