Mundo Vista continues tradition of reaching girls

By Dianna L. Cagle

Assistant Managing Editor

Outdoor activities make up a lot of what campers do at Camp Mundo Vista each year, but especially in the summer. Last year, the camp hosted more than 1,800 campers during the summer for Girls in Action, Acteens and mother/daughter camps.

Photo by Dianna Cagle

Biblical Recorder

A winding road brings visitors into Camp Mundo Vista for retreats and camps.

"They built the driveway windy on purpose because it is safer," said Tammy Tate, program director. "It gives the illusion of going higher and higher."

Able to host up to 280 people at a time year-round, Tate said the 168-acre property in Sophia opened in 1969.

From one vantage point, "it was like you could see the whole world," which inspired the name (Mundo = world; Vista = view). That's where the outdoor chapel was built.

More than 1,800 campers visited Mundo Vista last summer.

The camp also has a pool, outdoor playing fields and a low ropes course.

Currently work is being done to build a new lodge, which will provide more accessible meeting space.

Mundo Vista has three year-round employees. During the summer there are 43 on staff, including Tate and Bob and Julie Navey. The Naveys have worked there 16 years as resident camp manager, and guest services director.

Summer camps range from an overnight for moms and daughters to weeklong Girls in Action (GA) or Acteens camps. The overnight camp begins at $70 for one mom and one daughter. The week-long camps top out at $165. Acteens camp is for girls who have completed seventh through 12th grades. GA camps are for students who have completed fourth through sixth grades. One exception is a minicamp in June. That camp is for girls who've completed third through sixth grades.

To stay in the main facilities during offseason it costs $44 for Baptists and $49 for non-Baptists (includes overnight and three meals). Some of the other facilities can be rented for a lower cost. Interested groups need to contact the Naveys at (336) 625-4828 for more information.

Visitors are asked to notify the camp ahead of time if there are any food allergies or mobility limitations.

Mundo has 20 cabins. The camp is divided into five units with four cabins in each unit. In each unit there are at least 4 counselors - one per cabin. Counselors are responsible for nine to 12 girls, and they lead in Bible studies, crafts, recreation, nature activities, devotions, cabin times and other day-to-day activities.

Each cabin has a support staff person, which include lifeguards, worship leaders, shirt store and canteen assistant, missions coordinator, assistant counselors. The guards are Red Cross certified, and each staff member is trained in CPR and first aid, Tate said.