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By Susan Miller, Director of Marketing/Communications When I was a young girl, my friends and I used to love to go horseback riding as often as possible during the summer months. Throughout Camden County, where I grew up, there were places you could go for an afternoon - or even an hour or two - for lessons and trail riding. We didn't have a lot of formal training, but we loved every minute spent with those beautiful animals. So I was delighted when I came to camp and realized that we offer horseback riding as an option for our summer [...]

by Susan Miller, Director of Marketing and Communications Recently, Gab Ostroski, Director of Camp Matollionequay (our girls overnight camp) was recognized as one of "40 under 40" by the SNJ Business People in South Jersey. The event was celebrated at Lucien's Manor in Berlin on Feb. 27, 2018. Eighteen summers ago, Gab came to camp from Australia to work as a counselor at Matolly; she's served as director for the past 14 years. She runs a beautiful program, empowering girls and creating leaders of her staff and campers. Her motto is: "Be brave, lead with love and know that you [...]

By Mark Dibble, CEO, YMCA Camp Ockanickon I was recently struck by the tragedy of a twelve-year-old taking his life as a result of bullying.  It got me thinking about my childhood. When I was a child I faced several issues that are relatively commonplace today, but were not thirty years ago. I had severe food allergies. My parents struggled to find ways to feed me. Milk gave me an anaphylactic reaction. They tried soy milk but it turned out soy (and legumes in general) made me sicker than cow’s milk. They tried goat’s milk, same result. Eventually they settled [...]

We check the news feeds on our devices, we're barraged with social media updates, we're tuned in to the 24/7 news cycle in our homes. So many stories are shocking, heartbreaking and frightening. Let's face it: It's a challenge for parents to raise safe, confident and resilient children these days. A summer camp experience can go a long way in helping children find their way in a troubled world. Read on: https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/parents/case-camp-why-kids-need-it-now-more-ever.  

By Suzette Belz My name is Suzette Belz and I am the VP of Development and Major Gifts at YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. I would like to believe that I am that “Fairy” that is able to find pot of gold everywhere. I am also a wife, a proud mother of two beautiful and strong-minded girls, Isabella (10) and Sofia (4). I am a daughter, a sister, a niece, a friend, a coworker, and a human being. I believe in empathy, fairness, respect and inclusion.   I come from a loving family that instilled strong values in me. My mother [...]

By MaryAnn Birchler, Director, School’s Out, YMCA Camp Ockanickon On Wednesday night, February 14th, I was able to spend the evening with my husband and three children. Valentine’s Day in my home is filled with red roses, chalky candy hearts with ‘U R Kool’ written on them and innocent Valentine’s spilling out my kids’ backpacks. We made heart-shaped pizzas for dinner and had way too much chocolate for dessert - as it should be. But, my mind was elsewhere. My heart was heavy.  It felt desperate, helpless and afraid. My husband, Brent, walked into the kitchen to give me updates [...]

by Susan Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications I recently wrote an article about how my job here at camp led to my becoming a Rotarian - and why that matters to me.  Here's a copy of the article, which ran in the Burlington County Times on Feb. 5. I truly hope people will find it enlightening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- How I learned to love Rotary I had no intention of ever joining a Rotary Club. Certainly, I had heard of “Rotary” in my years living and working as a newspaper editor in Medford Township, but – truth be told – I [...]

by Mark Dibble, CEO Camp’s alumni had a happy hour in December. I really wish I could’ve attended, but I was visiting my parents in Rochester, NY for the holidays. From all accounts, it was a great success because it was alumni led and staff supported, as any good staff-alumni partnership would be! In a time when cynics believe schools and non-profits just see their alumni as checkbooks, and when institutions think the alumni are stuck in the past, something different is happening here and it’s been awesome to watch. In the last few months, our alumni committee has really [...]

At YMCA Camp Ockanickon, we believe in our mission, we love what we do, and we're committed to keeping up the good work. But we couldn't do it without the generosity of our supporters, donors and staff members. Here's an example of some great news coverage about the recent success of our 2017 annual campaign. We're humbly proud - and excited to continue on! Ockanickon exceeds its campaign goal! MEDFORD-YMCA Camp Ockanickon reached new heights during its 2017 annual campaign, exceeding its goal of $325,000 by more than $15,000.   “We are so humbled by the generosity and support of [...]

by Chef Jason Ostroski, Food Service Director   Every year during the holidays, the staff here at camp hold a Cookie Exchange and I’ve become known for my White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies. There’s no secret to it. No tricks or special ingredients. Blondies are simply awesome… and a white chocolate raspberry combination just seals the deal on a great pan cookie!   So here’s my tried and true recipe for you all to try for yourselves!   Ingredients:   11 tablespoons butter, softened 2 cups light brown sugar, packed 1 tablespoon butterscotch pudding mix powder (“cook and serve,” not “instant”) [...]