Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of frequently asked questions for Oswegatchie.

  • What is your mailing address?
          Oswegatchie Educational Center
          9340 Long Pond Road
           Croghan, NY 13327

  • What address do I email my child at? You should email [email protected]. Based on the volume of emails we receive, your child will not be able to email back. Your emails are handed out at lunch and dinner.  
 
  • Do you have to be an FFA member to go to Oswegatchie? No, Oswegatchie is open to all campers in the eligible age range. Youth ages 11 - 18, or entering grades 7 - 12 in the upcoming Fall, are welcome.
 
  • What should I do if your kid has food allergies/dietary restrictions? First, make sure it's written down on the health form. If it's rather specific, you should add a special note on a separate paper to "red flag" the issue. Lastly, if you have any specifics that need to be prepared in advance, especially food, call our food service director. Our kitchen staff does whatever it takes to ensure your child has a safe and fulfilling eating experience.
 
  • Cell Phones and Email? Oswegatchie has NO cell coverage or computers for campers to email home with. We can receive emails at [email protected]. You will not receive an email back, but we do distribute emails at each meal time. 
 
  • What is the hardest part about going to Oswegatchie? We are a physically active camp. We are also up early and stay up late. If you can handle being constantly active and on the go, you will have no problems. Since we are a teen camp, our programs do require a certain level of stamina. Younger campers need to be ready for physical activity and the maturity necessary to deal with others. 
 
  • What are the campsites like where the camper stays? Our campsites are set away from the main camp area and have 2 or 3 structure cabins for campers to stay in. Each campsite will have its counselor staying in an Adirondack lean-to. They have no running water or electricity. Each campsite would accommodate up to 15 campers and one staff member. Check out our lodging website to see our campsite page. 
 
  •  Why do campers take a swim test so soon after arriving? Campers take a swim test in the second part of registration, within an hour of arriving at camp. We need to do this to determine if it's safe to put them in kayaks, canoes, and the deep part of the swimming area. After this is accomplished, they sign up for their activities for the week. Since the camp is only 5 days long, we need to complete all organizational efforts on the 1st day. If a camper chooses not to take a swim test, they will be limited to the land-based activities. 
 
  • How does my camper sign up for activities? During the online registration process, campers will rank our offered activities from #1 to #18. They should rank the activity they most want to participate in as #1 and the least desired at #18. Make sure that all spots 1 through 18 are filled in. Activity scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you complete this selection early. 
 
  • Will my child be able to call home? We do not typically encourage campers to call home. If your child is in the least bit homesick (and every kid is a little), when they hear mom's voice, they will want to go home. If a homesick camper calls home too early, it allows the camper to "give up" and go home, so we encourage campers to wait through the first 48 hours of camp before calling home. Since camp is a new place that requires coping and adjustment, a nervous camper will take the safe route and want to go home. Typically, by Tuesday, they will have realized camp is a fantastic place!
 
  • What if my child is homesick? Our staff has been working with homesick campers every summer. We will do our very best to get them through the 5 days. If by Tuesday lunch, they still want to go home, we may call you to discuss the best approach to address your child. If your child does go home, we do not offer refunds, and it is your responsibility to pick them up. 

  • As a parent, should I let my child go home if they are homesick? If it is homesickness, we suggest they learn to cope with the new environment. However, every case is unique. We will do our best to analyze the situation, talk with you as the parent, and find the best solution for your child.
 
  • What about Ticks? We are fortunate to have very few tick issues, but they are still worth being aware of. We have DOH signage that tells campers what to look for and recommends using bug spray. Our medical staff is also trained to remove ticks.

  • What about Bed Bugs? We have never had a problem with bed bugs. 
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  • Are the campers ever in coed groups? Campers are in coed groups during the day as they participate in morning classes and afternoon activities. In the evening, the entire camp is participating in a full camp activity. At night, they are at their own age- and gender-specific campsite.

    More FAQ to come. Send your questions in the form above!
  • Refunds? If cancelled by May 31st, a full refund minus the $100 deposit will be issued. Starting June 1st, no refund will be issued. This includes no-shows. Deposits are non-refundable.

  • ​What if my child leaves something at camp? Our lost-and-found policy is to hold any items left behind for 8 days. Items will be mailed home only after parents pay the shipping costs. We also take no responsibility for cleaning or laundering our child's items.
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  • What should my child leave at home? Leave at home anything you do not want to risk breaking or losing. Oswegatchie is filled with sand and water and hard on electronics. Jewelry is small and gets lost. Things like weapons, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs are never acceptable. Kids live a lot of life in 5 days at camp, so keeping track of your stuff is easy when you do not have to worry about these little things.
 
  • How can I make sure my child has the best experience possible? Basically, not all experiences are for all people. Arm yourself with knowledge about the camp, tour the facility, read their materials, and call and ask questions. Know your camper and the possible camps they may go to. With 1,000-plus campers attending Oswegatchie every summer, not everyone will have the experience they anticipate, but information is power, and research will pay off. 

  • On your website, it says that if kids want to go horseback riding, they should have boots with heels. Is this an actual necessity? Or could sneakers suffice? The boot with a heel is to prevent a foot from accidentally sliding through the "stirrup" and prevent further injury. We do have boots here, but they vary in size and age. Typically left over or donated by other campers. If you want your daughter to have her own boots, they do not "need to be "riding boots by the technical "definition", but as long as it has a heel.
 
  • Should I send a care package? I would suggest not sending your child a care package; instead, give them the cash to put into their camp store account. This way, they can get what they want, budget their own money, and not worry about squirrels getting at it if they leave candy at their campsite during the day.

  • What if I want to send my kid to camp, but they don't want to go? Should I force them to do it? No, camp is a great experience, but you are setting us all up for failure. It doesn't have an open mind; their frustration will only make it difficult for the people around them. If the camp had a chance of winning the camper over, it's probably too late. 

  • Do you do camp for grown-ups? We actually do good business providing accommodations and retreats for groups of adults. Groups vary by company, church, college, or special interest. We are great for family retreats or weekend trips. Our new Foster Lodge is ideal for groups of 14-24. You can find that at www.oswegatchieretreats.org. In addition, we can also do programming for you. Those ideas exist at www.oswegatchieropes.com. 

        More FAQ to come. Please send us your questions! 

    Send us Your Questions!