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This is a question that we hear a lot from inquiring parents/guardians who are trying to decide which session(s) their camper(s) will be attending. The short answer is – we still run camp! Traditional camp fun doesn’t stop or slow down just because there is a holiday. However, we would be committing camp malpractice if we didn’t weave the holiday into our camp session in some way!   At our overnight camps (Ockanickon for boys, and Matollionequay for girls), the camps came together for a night of festive fun which began with an outdoor, all-camp cookout barbeque at the Ockanickon [...]

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.

YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. recently hired Matt Foran to be the new boys Overnight Camp director at our 111-year-old Medford organization. Before arriving at Ockanickon in early February, Matt had been the program director at Camp Ohiyesa, part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. He brings with him six years of experience as a camp director in both overnight and day camp programs, and he’s a licensed lifeguard instructor. Matt holds a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Michigan State, and he also taught Language Arts and Creative Writing at Deer Trail Academy in Oxford, Michigan.

Do you feel the call of the wild? Want to learn the basics before heading out on one of Camp’s Teen Adventure Trips this summer? Come join us for our outdoor adventure sessions at camp! Bring your friends (and make some here!) to explore our incredible 800 acres of nature for the day. Our instructors will teach you everything you need to know – no experience or equipment is necessary. In order to ensure that all participants receive personal attention, class sizes will be very limited – only 15 spots per course. Sign up online in early January 2017 by clicking "Register," log-in or create an account, and then select "2017 All Other Programs" to secure your place!

CEO Mark Dibble announced recently that Lynn Passarella will be the new director of Lake Stockwell Day Camp. Passarella, who has been the program’s assistant director since 2011, will now oversee the operation of the co-ed summer camp program that typically accommodates about 500 kids between the ages of 3 and 15 on a daily basis during the summer months. Passarella has worked at the camp since 2010, serving in various roles including Village Chief (head counselor), Assistant School-Age Childcare Director and Camp Store Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management from Lock Haven University as well [...]

It's holiday shopping time! If you buy your gifts through Amazon, use this link and you'll help your favorite camp at the same time! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/21-0635054. Our Scholarship Fund helps send deserving kids to camp, regardless of their family's ability to pay. It's a good deal for everyone!

Mark Dibble, left, CEO of YMCA Camp Ockanickon, Inc. in Medford, was recently presented with a $3,500 donation to camp by Jim Robinson, president of the Medford Sunrise Rotary. Rotarians raised the money for the nonprofit camp at a coin toss event this past spring. Mark was recently the featured speaker at the Rotary’s weekly breakfast meeting. Our CEO, Mark Dibble, was recently the featured speaker at the Sept. 7 breakfast meeting of the Medford Sunrise Rotary. Mark talked about how our 110-year-old organization has evolved over the years into so much more than a summer camp. In [...]