CHICKASHA – Peace of mind often comes at a price.

In the case of a recent week-long series of day camps, the cost could be calculated in hours volunteered by students at Canadian Valley Technology Center.

Thirteen adult students enrolled in the school’s Practical Nursing program each contributed three and a half-hour shifts at the First Aid station alongside a CV Tech PN instructor. The volunteers’ mission was safeguarding over 200 campers and counselors during the Chickasha Community Kanakuk KampOut.

CV Tech Practical Nursing instructor Sandy Willard said the volunteers are associated with Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), which is a student organization for future health care industry professionals.

CV Tech’s PN program is accredited by Oklahoma Department of CareerTech and approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Students learn Anatomy and Physiology and core medical terminology.

The program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam. All state boards of nursing require a passing result on the exam in order for a person to become a licensed practical nurse.

The camp is representative of Kanakuk, which is one of the largest Christian summer camps in the nation. Campers joined in a high-energy, traveling day camp for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Outdoor activities included a climbing wall, inflatables, a slippery slide and zipline.

Kanakuk began in 1926 with boys traveling to the Ozarks for character building alongside Christian role models. Today, there are eight Kanakuk Kamps serving 13,000 boys and girls annually.