Brent

In 1925 and 1926, Ockanickon's leadership was looking for a permanent home for the camp. After finding the Medford site, they designed a pamphlet to share with potential donors. In addition to a description of camp's first 20 years and why a permanent site was necessary, they included some quotes from previous campers and other prominent YMCA supporters. The pamphlet was dubbed "Acres for Character." Their words still ring true today. "The organized summer camp is America's most significant contribution to the educational system of the world." Dr. Charles Eliot President Emeritus Harvard Univerity "The Young Men's Christian Association through [...]

I cannot say enough about the amazing staff that I had the honor of working with this summer. These guys were just so dedicated to making a tremendous experience for every single camper that came through our gates from Session 1 through Session 6. They truly embodied the phrase from the old days, "the other fellow first." They put the needs of others before their own for 9 weeks straight and did so with a smile on their face and never-ending enthusiasm. Many people talk about the "young generation" as kids who want things for themselves right now: the job, [...]

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” I have had the fortunate honor of being the Challenge Course Program Coordinator for the past three years. Over those three years I have had sixteen staff members work on my team and countless others come and lend a hand when needed. This year I have watched campers who traditionally did not do well with high elements push past their fears and boundaries and achieve something that three years ago they did not think was possible. I would love to say that [...]

Camp is all about allowing campers the ability to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and experience new things. I am fortunate enough to facilitate our Rangers program here at camp, which involves different adventure trips for our oldest campers. Our 14-16 year olds have the chance to rock climb, canoe in white water, hike the Appalachian Trail, geocache, rappel, and much more. More importantly however, while they are out on their adventure they are learning life lessons and self accountability. Each one of our trip programs takes a waterproof group journal with them to use however they fit. [...]

Session 2 has always been my favorite here at camp. As a camper it was the session I normally attended. To me, session 2 always means one thing: Olympics! The Ocky Olympics forged a special day in my heart my first summer on camp in 2004 as an Algonquin camper. That summer I was one member of the two member German Bocci team. We went on to take the gold that day. My partner was none other than Donny Palmer, one of the current Ranger Directors. It's a memory that Donny and I talk about to this day. That day [...]

Where would I be without camp? If I really think about that question, I'd have to say that my life would be so entirely different that I can't imagine what it would be like. I obviously would not be a camp director if I had never attended Ockanickon as a boy. I wouldn't know how to do a J-Stroke in a canoe. I would know very few of my dearest friends since I met most of them at camp. I would not have given my mom a jewelry box for Mother's Day when I was 10 or 11 that I [...]

I'd like to think this is what happens at Camp... "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of the rest or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance…Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society.  Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or [...]