Almost 80 years ago, The Salvation Army acquired the land that would become Camp Mihaska in Crawford County, Missouri. The property was purchased for a generous nominal fee from the Von Hoffmann family and the Von Hoffmann Corporation. Carla Von Hoffmann, whose great-grandfather, Albert Von Hoffmann, originally owned the land, now spends her summers volunteering at the camp. She’s proud to do so, as she believes that Camp Mihaska and its programs reflect her great-grandfather’s character, ideals and vision for his family and the employees who once gathered there. 

The Von Hoffmann family had long been involved in charity work in St. Louis. However, following a tragic incident over Memorial Day weekend in 1947, the family made the difficult decision to sell the property. Prior to the accident, the land was used for family gatherings, picnics, dances, hikes, and even company events. That holiday weekend, Carla’s mother was pregnant with Carla when her father decided to fly in his uncle’s new plane. Tragically, the plane crashed, and both men lost their lives. The loss deeply affected the family forever, and the property became a painful reminder. In 1948, George Von Hoffman, the last of Albert’s living sons, sold the land to The Salvation Army through the family’s corporation. George remained a steadfast supporter of the Army throughout his life, joining the St. Louis advisory board and passing on a tradition of volunteerism to his children and grandchildren. The Von Hoffman family has remained active in various advisory organizations and at Camp Mihaska ever since.

In the spring of 2023, just before a gala celebrating the 75th anniversary of Camp Mihaska, Carla reconnected with George’s side of the family. She accepted an invitation to the event and took the opportunity to visit the camp. Although she had only visited a handful of times in her youth after her mother moved the family to the west coast following the crash, Carla was moved by what she saw. She learned about Mihaska’s music camp and was struck by the breadth of musical skills campers could learn. As someone with a lifelong passion for music ministry, Carla was impressed by the opportunities the camp provided for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to such experiences. She volunteered at music camp that summer and helped teach children to play the guitar and ukulele. “They catch onto the camping experience as they participate and end up really enjoying it,” Carla said. “I saw a couple of first-time campers who had only learned three chords step out to audition and participate in the talent show.”

Carla loved her time at camp so much that she volunteered again in 2024 and plans to return this summer. She hopes to continue volunteering for as long as she can. “No matter where the children are spiritually, it’s hard to leave camp without having some kind of a spiritual awareness,” she said. 

Carla also encourages visitors to explore the museum on the property, which tells the history of the camp. She believes it’s a tangible reminder of how Albert Von Hoffmann’s vision for the land  as a place of rest and spiritual renewal  aligns with its current use as a Salvation Army camp. The museum is also a physical representation of the special bond that Carla and the Von Hoffmann family continue to share with Camp Mihaska. 

Each visit to Camp Mihaska provides Carla with more than just a fulfilling experience — it offers a sense of personal closure. “I get a little more personal closure regarding my father as each summer brings new experiences and awareness of my family,” she said. “There are three crosses up on the hill as you go into Mihaska. I was told as a young child it was for the two pilots who were killed and the Holy Spirit. Overtime it changed to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Either way, it’s all good.”