Camp Heart O’ Hills Rededicated to Growing God’s Kingdom

Today, the Arkansas- Oklahoma Division (AOK) is walking in answered prayers and firmly standing on God’s promises for the future.

Beginning in 2024, Camp Heart O’ Hills, the AOK Division’s camp in Welling, Oklahoma, experienced a series of unfortunate circumstances dealing with water infrastructure issues, ultimately leading to the closure of their facilities to make way for necessary repairs and renovations.

AOK Divisional Commander Major Andrea Hoover describes how multiple water line issues disrupted and delayed several divisional events over the past two years. “The pool had a major leak in 2024 and was repaired by the end of the 2024 camping season. In February of 2025, another water line leak in the dining hall exposed another major issue.” That discovery gave the division a mere ten days to pivot the plans for their Youth Councils, relocating the event to Oklahoma City Citadel.

An additional water line leak led to a broader inspection of all camp buildings, revealing widespread issues. The division immediately began the process of mitigation and repairs. In early June 2025, the division made the difficult decision to cancel all summer camps to allow for the necessary and extensive infrastructure repairs.

But the AOK Division did not allow this to halt their ministry; it instead provided an opportunity to lean into partnerships and the wider Salvation Army community to discover creative solutions. Major Hoover tells us, “The divisional leadership team quickly began to work with field officers and even other divisions or outside organizations to continue providing programs and services.”

While they did end up postponing a few events, most still happened; they just looked a little bit different than usual. The division hosted four regional mini camps to remain connected to their kids. AOK campers and staff were welcomed in other divisions. And the conservatory students and some of their staff joined the conservatory programs in Texas and Kentucky-Tennessee (KT) for the summer; several students received recognition for outstanding work at both Texas and KT graduations.

Divisional Youth Department staff joined the Texas conservatory team while the new divisional youth secretaries, Captains Josh and Rachel McKain, shared their time between Texas’ Camp Hoblitzelle and the regional mini camps in AOK.

Women’s Retreat was moved to a nearby Christian camp. Family Camp and the installation of new divisional leaders became regional soldiers’ rallies which welcomed special guests and territorial leaders Commissioners Kelly and Donna Igleheart. Officers Councils moved to Central Oklahoma Area Command. And fall music and arts programs started back up as regional events.

The first official event held at Camp Heart O’ Hills following eight months of repairs and restoration was Men’s Camp in October 2025. Major Hoover says, “While it rained the entire weekend and there were still repairs to be completed, everyone was ecstatic to be back at camp!”

Renovations at Camp Heart O’ Hills include new walls in all affected buildings, new flooring, fresh paint, new roofs (nearly completed), irrigation and drainage, gutters, new windows, many new HVAC units, all new water lines throughout camp, and the remodeling of both the dining hall and kitchen, as well as various ongoing outdoor beautification projects.

There are also several projects in the proposal or approval phase, including road repairs and repaving, a new playground, repurposing the tennis court to a pickle ball court, refurbishment of the basketball courts, and a redesign of the outdoor chapel.

“The AOK Division is extremely grateful for the support of Territorial Headquarters and the partnership with Texas and KT for our conservatory students, as well as for the flexibility of our officers, soldiers, employees and campers throughout the entire process,” Major Hoover declares. “The AOK Division has been resilient, resourceful, and responsive during this difficult time, and we are positioned to be ready for what God has planned for this year’s camping season.”

On Valentine’s Day 2026, the division gathered in the camp chapel to celebrate the work that’s been accomplished and to rededicate Camp Heart O’ Hills to furthering God’s Kingdom. “It’s a day that’s been a long time coming for our division, and it’s a day that’s filled with gratitude to God for what He has done,” Major Hoover pronounced. “The psalmist declares, ‘This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,’ (Psalm 118:23). And as we look around this sacred space, we realize that God has done marvelous things.”

The celebration was supported by the Southern Staff Songsters and AOK’s divisional band, which was finally able to play together at camp for the first time in nearly two years.

Officers, employees, soldiers, and young people prayed specific prayers over each space and every program of camp, praying for revival, renewal, safety, encouragement, and joy for every person who will step foot onto the property. As one, all gathered prayed, “Lord, make Camp Heart O’ Hills a dwelling place for your presence. We consecrate this ground, these buildings, and all the beauty you have placed here. May they serve your Kingdom purposes for generations to come.”

In her challenge to the division, Major Hoover encouraged all to believe bigger, shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance in Christ. “People who believe big for the Kingdom go from thinking small and focusing on lesser things to believing bigger and seeing the possibilities of what God can do.” She also urged the division to pray bold prayers, to start small by loving with abandon, and to be ready to move when the Spirit leads. “Jesus proves himself faithful. We’re standing right now in the middle of his perfect provision and faithfulness. And rest assured, he has even greater things in store.”

“It starts here today. It starts with surrendered hearts. It starts with us believing He will do what He says and not hesitating. It starts with us praying bold prayers and watching God work.”

Major Hoover then invited all present to write scriptures on the bare concrete of the unfinished chapel floor, ensuring that everyone who enters the chapel at Camp Heart O’ Hills will be standing on God’s promises and walking in His faithfulness for years to come.