Yearly Archives: 2017

Ockanickon – it’s truly a place for all!

By |2017-11-20T12:14:21-05:00November 13th, 2017|

by Matt Foran, Director of Ockanickon for boys I’m an Ocky Fellow and you are too! I’m still new here but rest assured, I’m an Ocky guy, true and blue, blue and true. Coming from a few states over, there’s no doubt about where I belong. It’s Ockanickon. No, I do not have one of those spiffy 10-year sweatshirts or sharp 15-year jackets. I don’t even have a five-year paddle. Oh, but I’m surely an Ocky guy even with my long list of Ocky no’s and never’s … I’ve never paddled and portaged to Matolly. I’ve never kayaked to crystal [...]

How we combat summer learning loss at camp

By |2017-11-13T11:09:15-05:00November 13th, 2017|

By Steph Ward, Challenge Course Program Coordinator During the summer months, it is said that children have a learning loss that is equivalent to losing three months of math and English. Most of this loss is due to the children not using those skills during the months that they are away from school. Here at camp, we like to challenge kids to use their brains in a way that might not be the traditional manner found in a classroom. We do a lot of this on the challenge course, which we consider our own outdoor classroom! Every camper who comes [...]

Camp partners with Bob Meyer Communities!

By |2017-11-10T13:10:27-05:00November 10th, 2017|

In Medford, there are a handful of recognizable names and places that conjure an image of this bucolic community in the Pines: Think the red barn at Kirby’s Mill, the sledding hill across from Pinelands library or the many charming lake communities. Recently, two very longstanding and iconic Medford organizations – our own YMCA Camp Ockanickon and Bob Meyer Communities – decided to partner up to help children from under-served areas. Ockanickon, of course, has a rich history in Medford. Established in 1906 and named in honor of a chief of the Mantas Lenape tribe, Ockanickon has been operating a [...]

Universal lessons learned this summer – about peace, understanding and the power of Y

By |2017-10-24T11:05:39-04:00October 24th, 2017|

by Dave Kaubin, Outdoor Center Director “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein How does one achieve peace? Where do you start and what does success look like when you’re finished? Those are some pretty difficult questions. Questions I never really intended to contemplate. However, this past summer, I found myself in the company of a group of people doing just that. I had the honor of spending time with an amazing group of young Y leaders this summer. Together, about 40 of us traveled from all over the world to [...]

An Emerging Leader at camp!

By |2017-10-24T10:35:38-04:00October 24th, 2017|

by Susan Miller, Director of Marketing/Communications Greg Keresztury, our Director of Operations, seems to have the ability to be in several places at once here at camp. Since joining the staff at YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. early in 2016, he is pretty much involved in every aspect of the running of our busy camp programs. On most days, he can be seen in a golf cart, darting from place to place within our 800-acre property. Greg's an unassuming guy, but it's easy to tell that he's clearly in his element here. Greg has an interesting background; he has a law [...]

Registration now for Summer Camp 2018 … Here’s why!

By |2017-10-16T10:08:55-04:00October 16th, 2017|

Why Register Early? By Greg Keresztury, Director of Operations Once the sugar sand has settled on the camping season, we almost immediately turn the page to the next summer.  In the world of camping, there really isn’t an “off-season” or “quiet-time,” as we transition from the busy camp season to a different kind of busy.  Yes, believe it or not, we are still working hard when camp isn’t in session, as we almost immediately begin debriefing the summer – asking ourselves what went well and what could be improved for next year?  We begin focusing on themes and special events, [...]

Camp is a place for the ages – all ages

By |2017-09-21T10:42:15-04:00September 21st, 2017|

By Susan Miller, Director of Marketing/Communication Members of the seniors club – otherwise known as the Beacons - from the Lighthouse Tabernacle Church in Lumberton have been coming out to spend a pleasant day at camp every year for almost two decades. On a recent Tuesday in September – weeks after the last of our summer campers had said their goodbyes – the Beacons enjoyed a lovely barbecue lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork and various salads, compliments of our talented chefs, Jason and Kimmie. Vera, the leader of the group, said they call themselves “Beacons” because: “We’re gonna [...]

Police officer and others say YMCA camp experience is life-changing

By |2017-09-19T10:51:55-04:00September 19th, 2017|

by Susan Miller, Director of Marketing/Communications Whenever I walk through camp talking to kids or visiting camper families, I am struck by the stories about camp's amazing impact. "I wish everyone knew about the benefits of spending time with your kids here," said a dad named Ed on a recent Saturday afternoon. When I caught up with him, he was playing a low-key game of basketball with his son, Jake, at Father/Child Weekend. They had already done archery and some challenge course activities. It was a weekend of no cellphones, no TV, no chores, no distractions - just beautiful time [...]

Medford Sunrise Rotary proudly supports the efforts at camp

By |2017-09-18T16:26:51-04:00September 18th, 2017|

At the annual campaign kick-off breakfast on Sept. 13, about 14 members of the Medford Sunrise Rotary attended to offer support to YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. in its effort to raise funds for our wonderful cause. The Medford Sunrise Rotary has been a steadfast supporter of our Scholarship Fund at camp. Last week, they presented a check for $3,500 for this fund, which is used to send deserving children to camp, despite their families’ financial hardships. Last year, 600 children – many from under-served communities in Camden and Philadelphia – were able to attend summer camp at either Lake Stockwell [...]

Annual campaign kick-off breakfast was a hit!

By |2017-09-18T10:26:17-04:00September 18th, 2017|

by Susan Miller YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. held its annual campaign kick-off breakfast on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Ockanickon dining hall. The event, which featured heartfelt testimonials by scholarship recipients and alumni, started off with an invocation by Rev. Don Muller of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, who noted the positive impact of a camp experience on young people. Camp’s CEO, Mark Dibble, welcomed community members to the event, and talked about the organization’s fundraising goals along with plans for making camp a more diverse and inclusive place. “We want camp to be a place the world strives to be [...]

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