More Than Books

At Ozark Outpost Center, "curriculum" means more than just classroom study. It is a complete blend of Bible study, core academics, hands-on trades, medical missionary work, and practical country living skills.

The Bible and character development form the foundation of every subject we teach. Instead of cramming six to eight classes at once, our students carry only a few well-chosen studies at a time, allowing them to go deeper. Each day intentionally weaves together worship, focused academics, and useful, age-appropriate work.

Our goal is not to keep young people in school for many years, but to prepare them quickly and practically for life, mission, and self-support. Explore our curriculum areas below to see how we train for real life.

A Life of Devotion

• Daily PracticePersonal devotions, morning and evening worship, a daily Bible class, and regular opportunities to lead worship.
• Mentorship & LeadershipLearning to mentor younger students, help lead worship, and participate in Union Body meetings—student self-government and problem solving.

Bible, Character & Devotional Life

The Bible is our main textbook and the solid foundation for all learning at Ozark Outpost Center. Faith is not a separate class—it is woven into school, work, and relationships. We believe that spiritual growth and Christlike character must always be the first priority.

Students have daily personal devotions, morning and evening worship, a daily Bible class, and regular opportunities to lead worship. High school students study Bible doctrines, Bible history, and practical Christian living in a way that prepares them for real life and active mission work. As they mature, older students also receive introductory Bible worker training.

Everything else we teach—health, trades, media, and business—flows out of this daily walk with God.

Health & Medical Missionary Training

Our students study Anatomy & Physiology as the backbone of their science work. They learn basic physiology, nutrition, and lifestyle principles so they understand how choices about food, sleep, water, and exercise affect both body and mind.

In practical labs, students learn hydrotherapy (simple water treatments), basic massage, and the intelligent use of natural remedies. They practice healthful cooking and food production—baked goods and simple whole-food meals—for our campus and our Mountain Grove restaurant, and help in treatment rooms in age-appropriate ways, always under close supervision.

Some students will also learn to make simple natural products such as salves, soaps, tinctures, and basic herbal preparations, connected to the school's industries. This is not a medical degree, but a very practical health ministry foundation designed to prepare students to help in homes, churches, and small health centers.

Key Health Skills

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Hydrotherapy & Basic Massage
• Natural Remedies, Salves & Tinctures
• Healthful Cooking & Nutrition
• Treatment Room Assistance

Practical Trades

• Framing, Foundations & Drywall
• Basic Plumbing & Electrical
• Gardening, Seed Saving & Livestock Care
• Tool Care & Maintenance
• Safe Country Living Skills

Trades, Building & Country Living Skills

Ozark Outpost Center intentionally teaches students how to work with their hands and live simply. Through our "Live-Build" projects, students learn construction skills—framing, basic foundations, drywall, and simple electrical and plumbing under licensed or experienced supervision—and finish work as the campus grows.

Agriculture is a major focus: students learn soil preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, and seed saving, along with basic poultry and small livestock care where appropriate. They also pick up vital country living skills, including tool care, simple repairs, basic outdoor safety, and how to be content and resourceful with little.

We maintain clear safety policies, including no power tools for those under 15, parental tool permission forms, and staff supervision at all times. This hands-on work is not an extra elective—it is a core part of our curriculum that prepares young people to support themselves and build up small schools, outposts, and churches.

Work-Study: Earning Tuition Through Labor

True to the Madison blueprint, OOC students help support their own education through meaningful work. Students earn tuition credit through campus industries — construction, bakery, agriculture, and media — and through literature evangelism canvassing.

This is not busy-work: every task teaches a real skill, is supervised by staff, and builds the work ethic and self-support habits students will need for life. Families find this significantly reduces the cost of attendance while building character.

Monthly tuition starts at $1,000 and is reduced as students earn vocational credit through their work lines. The more a student invests in useful labor, the more their family's cost comes down.

Example: a student working steadily across multiple industries can bring tuition well below the starting rate.

Sewing & Handcrafts

Cutting, sewing, mending, and simple dressmaking in modest, practical styles. Students also learn crocheting, weaving, and basket making for usefulness and small-scale industry.

Homemaking

Cooking simple, healthful meals, organizing, cleaning, laundry, and basic home management to cultivate an orderly and peaceful environment.

Child Guidance

As older students help care for younger ones and assist staff, they see practical models of parenting, patience, and Christlike home leadership.

Media, Business & Entrepreneurship

Alongside farm and trade skills, students learn how to use modern tools to share the gospel and support small Christian businesses. This is not about making wealthy entrepreneurs, but about giving students the tools to start or support self-supporting ministries and businesses.

Students gain experience in basic photography, video recording and editing, podcast or audio recording, and simple graphic design for banners, postcards, flyers, and business cards. They also receive exposure to practical, ministry-minded technology projects such as simple website or app design, always with filtering and safeguards.

Business skills are deeply integrated into our campus industries. Students learn introductory accounting, keeping basic books, tracking income and expenses, simple budgeting, sales, and marketing. By working in our bakery, food production, and Mountain Grove storefront, they learn inventory, customer service, and logistics. Our aim is that every graduate can share the message and handle simple business responsibilities wherever God sends them.

Ministry & Business Tools

• Photography, Video & Audio
• Graphic Design, Web & App Basics
• Bookkeeping, Budgeting & Accounting
• Sales, Marketing & Customer Service
• Inventory & Logistics Management

Servant Leadership

• Literature EvangelismVisiting homes and public places to share Christian and health literature with kindness and tact.
• Bible Work & SpeakingGiving Bible studies, sharing personal testimony, and helping in evangelistic meetings.

Evangelism & Leadership

Our students are not only learning for themselves—they are trained to share Christ and to lead. Leadership at Ozark Outpost Center is servant leadership, modeled after Christ.

We provide safe, small steps for shy or quiet students to grow in confidence. Students practice literature evangelism (canvassing), giving Bible studies, and public speaking—short talks, health presentations, worship thoughts, and class reports. They also take on student leadership roles through Union Body meetings, dorm captaincies, work-crew leadership, worship leading, and media team roles.

High school youth are trained to mentor younger students and children during work and worship, directly connecting their evangelism practice with our city-center work in Mountain Grove and local church outreach.

Bible

Doctrines, Bible history, and practical Christian living — taught daily, every year.

English

Writing, reading, and communication practiced through real projects like presentations, book work, and ministry publications.

Math

Practical and standard coursework applied to real campus needs: measurements, budgeting, and business math.

Science

Built around Anatomy & Physiology (see Health & Medical Missionary Training).

History & Social Studies

Studied in light of God's hand in human affairs.

Personal Finance

Budgeting, saving, giving, and debt-free living principles.

Life Skills

Practical daily living, communication, stewardship, and decision-making.