As always, it was a blessing to work with the Oakridge staff. The middle-school-age group I prefer working with can be quite a challenge. Not only did the Oakridge Staff respond promptly to our needs and concerns, but they did so in such a way that empowered our staff to continue their ministry in a loving and positive way. Very professional in all aspects. Kitchen staff was SO positive and talented! We greatly appreciated their service. We love Oakridge!! -Lavonna H.
From Comment Cards
Like last year, we had an amazing time! Everything exceeded our expectations. We will continue to come back every year! Thank you!
The staff was amazing and extremely accommodating.
Everything was wonderful! Thanks for letting some of us see the animals. The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly!
The staff, rooms, and grounds were all beautiful.
I came to bless you and you blessed me instead! Thank you for your wonderful hospitality! Hope I can return another time. God bless you richly!
Place is GREAT! I loved the food and the staff was more than helpful. Really enjoyed myself. Thanks and blessings! PS - Peach cobbler...AMAZING!!
It's a beautiful place. Thank you for everything. God bless.
God bless! We love this place and I'm blessed to see you and I thank God for your purpose!
Thank you for your care of our family this weekend. It was truly a breath of fresh air! The rooms were right for our family. Wonderful hospitality!
You are wonderful and our church is very thankful for everything! God bless you!
Thank you so much for your hospitality and for God working through you to minister to others. You have a wonderful family here. God bless you!
We had a wonderful time and would love to come back. Thank you so much.
This was a fun and enjoyable environment to be around. The staff and the events and even the food was great. Thank you for having me and my friends. Thank you very much!
On behalf of the staff, thank you all for your service to us all.
Thank you so much! We loved being here. Your staff is awesome. The food was delicious! The activities were a blast!
We love it up here! Thank you for providing an amazing time. My little family has grown closer to Christ! I recommend this place to many people!
Great experience, wish we had more time here! Staff was amazing! Plenty of things to do, and fun for multiple ages. Lord willing, we'll be back next year!
Thank you for showing the love of God in your attitude and service!
From a SOWER Couple
Dear Brian and Beth,
We have been so blessed to be here at Oakridge these two moths. You have a wonderful family, so fun to work with! Thank you for taking us out to lunch with the staff. They are young people you can be proud of.
May God richly bless you as you continue your ministries here at Oakridge. Love in Christ,
Ed & Laura
From a Summer School Group
Dear Oakridge, "Project Apache" Summer School would like to thank you for allowing our students to swim at your facility on Tuesdays and participate in your other activities on our all-day field trip. We appreciate your support of our program! -Project Apache Students and Staff
From a SOWER Couple
Dear Beth and Brian, we were so blessed in getting to come to Oakridge last month. You are a wonderful family, serving the Lord with such joy...really encouraging to see in these times. Jim and I thank you so very much for taking time in your busy schedule to take us to lunch. You are so hospitable and Oakridge will definitely be a place to return to, the Lord willing.
Jim & Terry
God is Awesome in This Place
This has been a wonderful experience for us. Thank you so much for letting us share in your ministry in our small way. You have all been such a blessing to us in so many ways. God is awesome in this place!
-Ross & Pam
From Campers at an Oakridge Kids Camp
Dear Oakridge Staff, I had such a fun time this week! This week was my favorite week and this is my 3rd year! I love this week soooo much because I made so many new friends and some very special things happened in my heart. I love all you guys and thanks again for everything! -Aicha
Thank you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day! And thank you for preparing stuff for us and for chapel, dining hall, snack shack, and gift shop! Thank you bunches! -Hayley
Thank you for everything. I hope I can come again! -Vanessa
Thank you so much for this LIFE CHANGING week at camp! All of y'all are AMAZING!!! I'll miss my Oakridge family so much! I'll be back soon! -Victoria
Dear Staff, thank you so much for making our week so great! I am happy that I had fun and having a nice place to sleep! You guys are fantastic! Thank you! -Emily
Thank you for all of the special things that you planned this week for all of us. I hope to see you very very very soon. XOXOXO -Kylee
Dear Friends at Oakridge Youth Camp...
Just a note to say we keep you and your ministry in prayer here at our church. Praying that God will continue to bless your work and provide you with the resources needed to touch the lives of those who come to the camp. Thank you for showing the love of Christ to those around you.
-Alexis B.
From a Group of Kids Camp Girls
Thank you for everything this week. -Lizzie
Thank you for everything! I will see you next year! -Natasha
Thank you for all you do for us! You're amazing! -Laura
Thank you for having me in parts of such a great group. -Bailey
Thank you for devoting your time this week! My counselor was great. I hope you keep doing camps! -Lillie
Thank you for letting us use your camp and I will be coming back! - Hailee
Thank you for helping us and thank you for letting us use your camp! It was fun! -Miranda
Thank you staff for making awesome meals for us and being patient with us all week. -Rylee
Thank you so much for giving me a time to remember. It was such a great year and I will definitely be coming back next year. -Audrey
Happy 15 Years to Oakridge
Praying for a wonderful celebration at Oakridge Ministries this weekend, and many more to come. You hold a very special place in our hearts. We love you and yours!
-Olivia H.
A Note from a Camper
Dear Staff, thank you for being so nice and putting up with us kids. Thank you for cleaning the trash cans up in our bathrooms and cabin, and teaching us about Jesus. The meals were fantastalicious!!! The workers are fabstounding!!! Love, Kennedy
We Want to Celebrate
Ball family,
We want to celebrate 15 years with you all! We are so blessed by you and thankful to call your our brothers and sisters! I praise God for you all and the fruit that overflows from your family and Oakridge! We love you and pray that God continues to bless your ministry and your family!
-Clint and Natasha B.
From a Women's Group
Oakridge staff, you take such good care of us ladies. You get things done. We appreciate you more than you know! -Harmony
We love all of the extra little things your staff does for us. We feel so loved! Thanks! -Peggy
Thank you so much for accommodating my family. You and your family and camp are such a blessing to us. Thank you! -Angela
We cannot thank you enough for all that you do! You and your staff treat us like we are part of your family. Thank you for everything! -Amy
We appreciate you so much! Your team makes us feel so welcome and you work so hard. We love coming here and love you all! -Mary
Thank you for all you do to take such great care of our ladies! We love being here! -Michelle
Been to Oakridge Every Year It Has Existed
I have had the honor and privilege of going to Oakridge Camp each year it has been in existence. Over the last 15 years we have brought hundreds of children and staff for a week or weekend of camp. We have had the opportunity to watch a generation of children grow up from being campers to teen counselors, and finally adult counselors. Next year we will be bringing one of our original camper's children to camp!
Oakridge has been a true blessing from God to our churches. God has really used Oakridge to be a benchmark in a lot of our kids' lives. To me, it's a slice of heaven, in that you are in God's beautiful creation, away from the distractions of the big city. You have a wonderful facility that the Oakridge staff has spent many years updating and fixing. You are surrounded by the Ball family and the summer staff that really treat you like "Jesus with skin on" 24/7. You are immersed in God's love everywhere you go.
Our churches love you and thank God for you.
-Kurt R.
My First Church Camp...and I Was 34!
Oakridge was my first church camp ever in my life and I was 34 years old! It was such a neat experience that first year, because I realized that camp could be fun and purposeful. It was a place that you felt God's presence because it was a beautiful setting and you felt loved on. After each camp our kiddos were already looking forward to the next year's camp!
Your camp has had an impact on our kids in many ways. It's now part of their childhood memories - learning about Jesus, trying something new that was scary (like the king swing!), and being courageous by just leaving home. Oakridge has given our children a foundation to their spiritual path.
You're all such a joy and we will be forever grateful to your family and amazing staff!
-Shannon G.
Our Leaders Attended Your Camp
I wanted to write a letter concerning Oakridge Camp and the blessing the camp and its staff has been to our churches over the last 15+ years. There is really no way for me to describe how important camp is to our family of churches. We now have young people out of high school that are leading in our college ministries who attended camp at Oakridge as elementary students, then later as assistant leaders through junior and senior high school.
Oakridge staff do a wonderful job of helping our staff, providing a great well-run facility, and creating a welcoming, helpful environment.
Kudos and thanks to Brian Ball and all they do to bless our church and thus the whole Kingdom of God!
-Pastor Ronnie W.
Oakridge Has Blessed Me...
Oakridge has blessed me through the opportunities to learn about Jesus. When we went to Oakridge for the first time I not only learned about Jesus through my church curriculum but through the staff members that worked that. They were such a blessing to our church and served us in countless ways. For 15 years they have been Jesus' hands and feet to us and I love getting to go back and serving my church's kids just like Oakridge served us. The Ball family and Oakridge are a second family and home to me and countless others from our church.
Kale R., junior counselor and teen coordinator
Congratulations on Your 15-Year Anniversary!
The first time I visited Oakridge Camp was in the spring of 2000. Four of us from Garland, Texas came to Oakridge looking for a place to have church camp for our children's ministry. The moment we drove up to the campsite and met Brian and Beth Ball and their precious family, we knew this is where God wanted our children to come for camp! As we toured the facilities and heard them share their dreams and hopes for Oakridge, we felt an immediate sense of connection and knew this was the beginning of a lifelong relationship.
Oakridge is a place where children and adults alike can come for some much-needed respite and rejuvenation. We can spend a week in nature focusing on God and His desires for us. We can come back to our Oklahoma family and reconnect and share what God has been doing in our lives over the past year. We've shared our joys and our sorrows and we know when we go back home, our family in Oklahoma will be praying for us as we pray for them. It's like a family reunion!
Our children eagerly anticipate getting old enough to attend Oakridge. They hear from their siblings and other children how awesome it is to go to camp. They've all seen videos and been told about the waterslide and anxiously look out the bus windows as we pull in to camp! But this is not only a place where our kids can enjoy all of the activities, but also begin building their foundation for their lives with God.
The staff at Oakridge are a compassionate and loving team. They are willing to do whatever is needed to serve our kids in any way. As our children graduate from our children's ministry, they first thing they ask is, "How old do I have to be to go to Oakridge as a counselor?" We always have so many of our teens wanting to come back and help with camp each year. To me, that really says it all!
-Debbie A., former children's minister
Can't recommend this camp enough.
Of all the retreats I have organized, I have not worked with a staff that has been more hospitable, courteous, and service oriented. Their faith and joy in hosting the people they do is palpable and encouraging. This, of course, is in addition to their excellent meeting and recreation facilities. I can't recommend this camp enough.
-A chaplain from Ft. Sill
From a Men's Retreat
What you do matters! Thank you for playing a part in this amazing environment that has allowed God to work in the lives of so many men! -Josh
Oakridge, you have no idea the thousands of people's lives that will be forever changed because of your passion and love. The area you provide gives a place for God to gather a large community together. Also, the food is awesome. Thank you so much! -Adam
Staff of Oakridge, you guys and gals are a true testament of what the power of a family who follows God's heart can do. You are truly a blessing. -Bryan
Thank you so much for all of the blessing you have given us through your service! So many men have heard from God for the first time and your hands helped to make that happen! -Rob
Thank you so much for the amazing good! I appreciate you sacrificing your time to serve us. It means a lot. When I think of all the things y'all are doing for the Lord to serve it inspires me to do the same. You never know the impact you are having. Someone is always watching. Thanks for being a huge blessing. -Ryan
Your team has been absolutely incredible! Your service you've provided to us has been something I never expected coming to a camp. The hospitality you've graced us with, and also providing unbelievable food has been out of this world. Thank you so much for all you've done. -Sean
Thank you for showing up, feeding us, and smiling as I walk through the line and turn in my trash! There are many other things you could be doing, but you chose to serve men like me! From the bottom of my heart, thank you all! -Charles
Thank you for opening the camp to be a fireplace for God's spirit to move and work. You have loved and served us well! -Frank
Thank you Oakridge for an amazing event. From the amazing staff down to the accommodations, everything was perfect. So thank you and may God bless this camp for many years. -Bobby
Oakridge Culinary Staff, thank you for all that you do for the [men's retreat] weekend attendees. You gals and guys rock! -Gerry
Thank you so very much for all that you did to make our camp feel welcomed and of course all the fantastic food, too! May God bless Oakridge! -Alan
Thank you! I appreciate y'all serving us with an abundance of awesomeness, and serving us so greatly. God bless y'all. -Jeff
Thank you so much for all you do. This place is truly blessed and has the heart of a servant to God. The Oakridge family has a special place in God's heart. -Steve
You have blessed us with your food and the camp you have allowed us to take part in. Thank you for your words, your hearts, and your passion for what you do. I pray that it continues to bless others. -Chris
Beth and Staff, may God bless you all for your service to us during camp. You all minister to us in a very special way. Thanks for the wonderful food and love. -Jim
By far the best camp food I've ever had. Thanks for putting up with us grumpy old men! -Bob
Kitchen Staff, thank you so much for the amazing food and service this camp. You all died an amazing job. Thank you again and God bless! In Christ, David
Thank you for the amazing food and life-changing experience! -Mike
Thank you for taking care of us this weekend. God has blessed you with a servant's heart. It was great to see it in action! -Wes
To the Staff of Oakridge, I want to thank you for all of your hard work and hospitality. It truly was a pleasure each and every meal to come into the dining facility. The joy and happiness with which you serve each meal spills over to everyone being served. I will pray that you be blessed and that others will be touched in the way that I have by your positive attitude. -Stuart
Words cannot express my gratitude for how well you take care of us every year. I can't express how much I appreciate each of your servant hearts and what you add to this event for us. Then there's the food. I have no idea how you prepare the magnitude of food that you prepare for us and make it taste so amazing. It is absolutely incredible! I mean really, how many camps serve seat salt and caramel brownies? Or the best tres leche cake ever constructed! Y'all are so special and incredible at what you do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving us. -Ryan
To me, it's not THAT you serve, it's HOW you serve. The true joy that you have in serving doesn't go unnoticed. You play a huge role in hundreds of husbands and fathers taking back their position as a spiritual leader in their family. I am forever grateful for you and love each of you in Christ. -Brandon
Thank you for the time you take out of your schedule to serve. May God bless you with the desires He has put in your heart to strengthen you and complete his purpose that He has put on your heart. -Joe
You are taken for granted. Thanks for the grub, for all your work behind the scenes...thanks for support on the afternoon activities. -Henry
Customer service that is kind, longsuffering, patient, selfless, and that smiles at every person is genuinely hard to find! You all have just been incredible! You portrayed Christ well. Thank you! -Joey
Oakridge family, words cannot express how much you have made a true impact with me and the men. One of the areas I serve at my church is in the area of hospitality. We always say that you want to create a comfortable environment so that those who enter can hear and see God's word. You hear at Oakridge have created that environment! Thank you so much for opening up your hearts in servanthood. May God bless you richly! -Ken
Thank you for creating an environment that can break down walls and allow God to move. Thank you for the great food and wonderful smile. Maybe God continue to use you. -Bill
"Thank you" is not enough to express the gratitude I have for the hospitality shown to me this weekend. May God's abundant grace and glory follow you all the days of your life. -Sheldon
Thank you so much for serving us this week. Everything was great. You guys always were smiling and made it so nice to come to eat. You guys truly have a servant's heart. -Hutch
Ladies and gentlemen of the staff, I wanted to tell you thank you. You all put so much heart and dedication into all aspects of this camp. Without your efforts many men would go through this world lost and lonely. I also had to say that the food and the music was fantastic. -James
What a blessing to experience the genuine love for Christ in the family and staff running Oakridge camp. Equally impressive were the wonderful meals your prepared everyday. Thank you for your hospitality. Blessings to your ministry. -Ryan
Thank you so much! I've been here about every 6 months for a few years now and this place is a bright light in a dark world. -Damon