Our FIRST college visit!

Yeah, I know that my oldest child is only 13 years old.   It never hurts to start looking though, right? :)
 
Another blessing to this full-time traveling lifestyle, is we get to stop and visit all the local colleges and universities across the country.  Although Todd and I both went to college and earned our degrees, I am not of the opinion that college is for EVERYONE.  (especially when college costs have gotten completely outrageous)
I would LOVE for my children to have an internship or work as an apprentice and earn their experience in the field of their choice, than spend a minimum of $50,000 and 4 years in a classroom that may or may not give them the skills to succeed.  That is a HUGE gamble.  I know that this thought process is not the norm, and I know that it is not what this world tells us to do, but I don't want my children to fit into this world's mold.  The Lord has their mold crafted and shaped to perfection for who HE made them to be, before they were ever born. :)  I trust that.  That is not a gamble.

Now, if they DO desire to attend a college, or the job they desire requires a specific degree, then we will support our children and help them in any and every way they can, so they will not have any debt when they graduate. :)  So, part of their education as we travel, is to see different colleges and what they look like, smell like, and "feel" like.  Can they see themselves living and thriving on that particular campus?  I don't want to just assume that they will go to the college near our home town.  I want them to experience for themselves, as much as possible, what their choices are, and make that difficult choice when the time comes.

Now, back to our FIRST college campus visit! :)
College of the Ozarks
I am impressed to say the least!  It is the most beautiful campus I have EVER seen in my life!
It is a small, private, Christian college, here in Branson, Missouri. 
It is a conservative school that encourages all students to refrain from alcohol and drugs or even smoking on the school or outside of school.  There are only 1400 students allowed each year, so it is difficult to be accepted, and is a nationally recognized, top 10 college since 1989!

But, what makes this college even better, is the fact that every single student recieves their degree for FREE.  Yep.  You read that right!  FREE.  The catch?  Each and every student works 15 hours a week, every week during the semester they are attending, and endowments given to the debt-free college, pays for the rest! 
We walked around the campus and talked with some of the students and observed some of the campus jobs. (there are 80 different jobs for these students to choose from)

From making homemade jams to freshly ground flour from their original mill, to weaving blankets or placemats to baskets. :)

The kids also strolled through their fruitful greenhouses that landscapes the entire campus, and more!

We also visited their gym, agriculture building, and museum.

"The Smithsonian of the Ozarks" is a real treat!  Here, there are 3 floors of ALL KINDS of artifacts, guns, military recognition, and an impressive taxidermy.  :)

One of our favorite items in the museum was THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES CAR!  It was hilarious. :)

Overall, the College of the Ozarks made quite the impression on this gang.  If our children desire to attend this college, we would support them 100%. 

Blessings,
Steph