Ken Boyle, Noble Grand of the Medford Oddfellows, recently visited YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. and presented a check in the amount of $500 to Dave Kaubin, Outdoor Center Director, of our 111-year-old camp property.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a nearly 200-year-old organization whose mission is to work in support of local communities as a way of making the world-at-large a better place. In the Medford chapter, there are fewer than 20 members, but they’re committed to making a difference in their own backyards.

Ken Boyle, left, of the Medford Oddfellows presents a check to Dave Kaubin, the Outdoor Center Director at Ocky.

“We decided we wanted to support something here in our community that would benefit a lot of people” Boyle said. “The gift we’re making to the camp is really a gift to the community.”

Kaubin, who is also a member of the Medford Oddfellows, said he was proud to accept the donation on behalf of camp. “The Oddfellows are really passionate about finding a need and when they do, they’re willing to step up, even if it’s something not on their radar.”

While Ocky is best known for our  summer camps (Ockanickon for boys, Matollionequay for girls and co-ed Lake Stockwell Day Camp), we are also a cause-driven nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and financial assistance to hundreds of children and teens each year. In addition, Ockanickon participates in a host of specialty camps: Camp Bright Feathers for children infected by HIV/AIDS; Camp Kesem for children whose parents have or have had cancer; Camp Little Rock for children who are blind or visually impaired; and Camp Firefly, a bereavement camp for children who have lost a loved one.

Our CEO Mark Dibble said the donation from the Oddfellows will be put to good use. “We’re so appreciative of the support that we get from the community, and from organizations like the Oddfellows,” Mark said. “YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. is committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and for every child who attends one of our camp programs – including our specialty camps – we provide a safe, nurturing, fun-filled place.”