Cell phone reception is sporadic and frustrating in the Ozarks. Many areas in which we do programming do not get a signal.

Our plan for cell phone use in emergency situations reflects this reality. Even if we can get a signal, cell phone reception is not an instant fix for an emergency situation. We are still at least two hours away from a hospital in most of the locations off camp. So, we do not depend on cell phones. In an emergency situation, the facilitators' training and judgment and the group's teamwork are still the most important resources.

An important aspect of a Discovery Ministries experience is separation from the normal pace of life. The very purpose of cell phones is a constant connection with normal life.

Therefore, we don't want participants to carry cell phones during programming. We don't mind one sponsor carrying a cell phone as long as the cell phone is turned off and the sponsor will only use it with the facilitators' permission or if the facilitators are incapacitated.