DEWITTVILLE - One of the longest-established organized youth resident camps in the U.S., YMCA Camp Onyahsa will commence its 113th summer of youth, adult and family programs beginning on June 21. The accredited Chautauqua Lake resident camp will offer an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 7. This event will showcase the year-round facility, summer programs, and tours will be led by Onyahsa staff members. The date will also offer the third annual "Take a Hike for Kids" sponsored walk through the woods, Dewittville Day displays by local vendors, and a yard sale. This event is open to all community members.
The camp's Mother-Child and Father-Child overnight camp-outs are scheduled for the weekend of June 3 to 5, and a Family Camp for residents of Jamestown's Eastside on May 1.
Eight week-long sessions of Youth Resident Camp for youth ages 7 to 15 will begin on June 19. They will each offer traditional, specialties, horseback riding, teen adventure and leadership programs. The summer-long theme will be Wonders of the World, and each week will look to fun and educational themes like Aboriginal Outback, Pyramids of Giza, Great Greeks, and many more. Caring, committed and competent staff will lead these sessions.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
Onyahsa campers during the summer of 1939 enjoy the new dining hall. This facility has been recently renovated.
Onyahsa's Day Camp in the Woods, offered for North County and north Lake residents on a Monday through Friday basis, will begin on June 20, and will also run for eight weeks. This 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. program commences in Dunkirk and Dewittville. Day Campers, ages 5 to 10, spend their days at Onyahsa.
The final week of the summer youth camping season will offer a three-day overnight camp for children ages 5 to 8, from Aug. 14 to 17, and a program for adults with developmental disabilities offered through the Resource Center.
Throughout the summer, the camp will engage in fundraising to provide camp scholarships and facility improvements. The third annual Take A Hike sponsored hike, "Pathways to our Future" engraved brick program, and May 7 Sale will be offered. Contributions to the not-for-profit camp's scholarship or development funds are graciously accepted.
The winterized camp also offers year-round YMCA camping programs and group use opportunities for retreats, receptions, and other events. Beginning in September, monthly youth overnights will also be held.
Free and reduced tuition is available for summer resident camp to local families who qualify, thanks to the benevolence of local donors. The youth camp program also offers free and reduced meals to qualified children through the New York State Education Department's Summer Food Service Program for Children. The Camp does not discriminate on the basis of creed, race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Anyone interested in YMCA Camp Onyahsa's Wonders of the World summer sessions, its scholarship program, or other offerings should contact Jon O'Brian, camp director, or Beverley Lubi, administrative director, at the Jamestown YMCA, 664-2802, Ext. 238, or visit www.onyahsa.org.
