Parent's Page
Camper Eligibility
Oswegatchie is open to all youth ages 11 to 18 regardless of gender, race, color, or creed who are interested in leadership development, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. Each camp session is open to the first 180 paid registrants. Membership in the FFA is not required to attend Oswegatchie.
Health Care
Our summer camp is staffed by a resident EMT and/or Nurse at all times. In addition, a majority of staff members are certified in a minimum of basic first aid and CPR. All serious emergencies are handled by the Lewis County General Hospital. Oswegatchie Staff will notify the parents/guardian of any camper requiring out of camp medical assistance for an illness or injury.
Health Forms
The NYS Department of Health requires that all campers have a complete health form and current record of immunization. Campers attending without this information may be withheld from all camp activities. Copies of this information may be emailed to our office our uploaded to your online camper registration.
Medications
Upon arrival to Oswegatchie, campers are required to turn in all medications to the health director. Medication distribution times will be established on an individual basis. All medical conditions must be outlined on the health form.
Camp Store
Upon arrival to Oswegatchie, campers are asked to deposit their money into a camp store account. As campers buy items from the store their account is deducted. All money not spent is returned to the camper at the end of the week. Campers may buy a variety of items from the camp store. Items range in price from $2 to $40. T-shirts $20; Sweatshirts $35–$40; Oswegatchie Nalgene Water Bottles $20. Use the online camper dashboard to deposit money into a camp store account for your camper in advance or order goods in advance at our website! (www.oswegatchiestore.com)
Communications
Campers enjoy getting emails from home while at camp, which we hand out daily. Use [email protected] to send notes. Campers will not have access to computers to return emails. Oswegatchie has one phone line so please limit phone calls to real emergencies only. Be warned that cell phones do not work at Oswegatchie and they should not be sent with campers.
Camp Staff & Supervision
All staff are trained and qualified to guide our campers through a safe and fun camping experience. Our camp administrator has 30 years of camp management. Our program director has 10 years of experience at Oswegatchie's facility. Oswegatchie employs 5 full time employees.
Meal Service & Special Diets
Our kitchen staff plans and prepares a total of 14 well balanced meals throughout the week. Special diets can be prepared if arranged in advance to camp arrival.
Arrival and Departures
Each camping session will be 5 days in length. Each session will start on Sunday with registration at 12:00 Noon and concludes at 9:30 AM on the following Friday. Please call ahead if you cannot meet these scheduled times. A camper release form must be completed for all campers in our online registration system.
Department of Health Inspection
Oswegatchie Educational Center is inspected twice yearly by the New York State Department of Health. Inspection reports are on file at our office as well as at the NYS Dept. of Health, Dulles State Office Bldg., 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Camper Housing
Campers will be placed in one of 15 campsites situated on our 1,200 acres. Most campsites have three structure cabins and one Adirondack Lean To. There will be a minimum of one counselor at all times. Campers must bring their own bedding.
Dismissal From Program
Any camper who shows disrespect for other people or property or fails to follow camp policies will be sent home. No alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, weapons, animal abuse, bullying, or violent behavior will be tolerated. Parents are expected to be available to pick up their child if removal is needed. Campers removed for disciplinary reasons, will not be able to participate in any Oswegatchie trips for 18 months. No refunds will be issued.
Refund Policy
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 is the FFA?
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The FFA is only available to schools that have agricultural education classes. To learn more, go to ffa.org, nysffa.org, or nyffafoundation.org .
Oswegatchie is open to all youth ages 11 to 18 regardless of gender, race, color, or creed who are interested in leadership development, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. Each camp session is open to the first 180 paid registrants. Membership in the FFA is not required to attend Oswegatchie.
Health Care
Our summer camp is staffed by a resident EMT and/or Nurse at all times. In addition, a majority of staff members are certified in a minimum of basic first aid and CPR. All serious emergencies are handled by the Lewis County General Hospital. Oswegatchie Staff will notify the parents/guardian of any camper requiring out of camp medical assistance for an illness or injury.
Health Forms
The NYS Department of Health requires that all campers have a complete health form and current record of immunization. Campers attending without this information may be withheld from all camp activities. Copies of this information may be emailed to our office our uploaded to your online camper registration.
Medications
Upon arrival to Oswegatchie, campers are required to turn in all medications to the health director. Medication distribution times will be established on an individual basis. All medical conditions must be outlined on the health form.
Camp Store
Upon arrival to Oswegatchie, campers are asked to deposit their money into a camp store account. As campers buy items from the store their account is deducted. All money not spent is returned to the camper at the end of the week. Campers may buy a variety of items from the camp store. Items range in price from $2 to $40. T-shirts $20; Sweatshirts $35–$40; Oswegatchie Nalgene Water Bottles $20. Use the online camper dashboard to deposit money into a camp store account for your camper in advance or order goods in advance at our website! (www.oswegatchiestore.com)
Communications
Campers enjoy getting emails from home while at camp, which we hand out daily. Use [email protected] to send notes. Campers will not have access to computers to return emails. Oswegatchie has one phone line so please limit phone calls to real emergencies only. Be warned that cell phones do not work at Oswegatchie and they should not be sent with campers.
Camp Staff & Supervision
All staff are trained and qualified to guide our campers through a safe and fun camping experience. Our camp administrator has 30 years of camp management. Our program director has 10 years of experience at Oswegatchie's facility. Oswegatchie employs 5 full time employees.
Meal Service & Special Diets
Our kitchen staff plans and prepares a total of 14 well balanced meals throughout the week. Special diets can be prepared if arranged in advance to camp arrival.
Arrival and Departures
Each camping session will be 5 days in length. Each session will start on Sunday with registration at 12:00 Noon and concludes at 9:30 AM on the following Friday. Please call ahead if you cannot meet these scheduled times. A camper release form must be completed for all campers in our online registration system.
Department of Health Inspection
Oswegatchie Educational Center is inspected twice yearly by the New York State Department of Health. Inspection reports are on file at our office as well as at the NYS Dept. of Health, Dulles State Office Bldg., 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Camper Housing
Campers will be placed in one of 15 campsites situated on our 1,200 acres. Most campsites have three structure cabins and one Adirondack Lean To. There will be a minimum of one counselor at all times. Campers must bring their own bedding.
Dismissal From Program
Any camper who shows disrespect for other people or property or fails to follow camp policies will be sent home. No alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, weapons, animal abuse, bullying, or violent behavior will be tolerated. Parents are expected to be available to pick up their child if removal is needed. Campers removed for disciplinary reasons, will not be able to participate in any Oswegatchie trips for 18 months. No refunds will be issued.
Refund Policy
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 is the FFA?
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The FFA is only available to schools that have agricultural education classes. To learn more, go to ffa.org, nysffa.org, or nyffafoundation.org .
