SUMMER CAMP
Ages 6 through 14

Camp Oty’Okwa is and has been home to thousands of Little Brothers, Little Sisters and children from all over Ohio during the summer.

The revenue generated through camp rentals directly supports the camping programs that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio provides. Many of the families with children attending our camp programs are only able to pay a small fraction of the actual cost of camp. Through your support, these children are able to have a camp experience that would not otherwise be available.

Summer Camp at Camp Oty’Okwa is for ages 6-14 and provides positive experiences to enrich and provide opportunities for each camper to succeed, building self-esteem and empathy. As social skills are developed, the campers will also gain a new appreciation of the responsibility for nature and the environment. During the summer camping sessions, children participate in activities such as:

• Camping out overnight under the stars.
• Experience wildlife, rock formations, life in the creek beds and the environment.
• Hiking and exploring the wonders of the Hocking Hills.
• Swimming!
• Arts & Crafts
• Games and field activities
• Fishing or Canoeing
• The final campfire of each session is a reflection of the campers’ experiences and is concluded with candle light parade to the swimming pool.

Summer Camping Programs

To print your summer camp brochure and registration form please click the links below.

Summer Camp Brochure
Summer Camp Registration Form

Explorer’s Camp – ages 6-9
Explorer’s Camp is an introduction to camping and the out-of-doors. Explorers live in a cabin with other children their own age and learn to work together while having fun.

Activities are focused around the woods and the creeks - all of the caves, critters, plants and other things you find in the outdoor world. Of course, there’s plenty of swimming, crafts, campfires, games, stories and fishing too. Children who participate in Explorer’s Camp spend at least one night camping in the woods.

Adventure Camp – ages 10-14
Adventure Camp offers many of the same activities as Explorer’s Camp although the activities are more ambitious and involved. Hikes are generally longer and Adventure Campers may spend several nights sleeping out in the woods. In addition to the time spent exploring the out-of-doors, Adventure Camp includes an opportunity for children to canoe, rock climb, rappel, and backpack.

Special Care Camp – ages 6-14
Special Care Camp is designed for children who just need extra attention. Candidates for Special Care Camp may have Learning Disabilities, ADD, and ADHD, Behavior Disorders or a combination of disabilities. In some cases, they may be children who have had a difficult start.

These children may or may not participate in the regular camp programs depending on their individual needs. However, at a minimum, they are actively involved in a variety of camp activities with their counselor and other children with similar needs.

If you are interested in Special Care Camp, please contact the Camp Administrative office as an interview with the Camp Director may be necessary. 614-839-2447 or email dschirner@bbbscentralohio.org.

How to Register for Camp Oty’Okwa
If you are interested in registering your child for camp:

• Download the Summer Camp registration form by clicking here.
• Print and complete the registration form. *
• Mail to:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
1855 E. Dublin-Granville Re., 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43229-3516
• Or fax to: 614-839-5437

*Please complete a separate registration form for each child in its entirety, including the Summer Food Eligibility Form. If your child does not qualify for the Summer Food Program, please include the child’s name, age and mark the form “not applicable” or “N/A” and sign at the bottom. Incomplete forms will be returned.

Transportation
Parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to take their child to Camp Oty’Okwa and/or pick them up at the end of their session. This enables them to see the environment that their child will be experiencing and meet some of the staff.

In the event that the parent or guardian is unable to take their child to camp, transportation by chartered bus is available from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio to Camp Oty’Okwa and back for $15.00. Please indicate on the registration form if your child will be riding the bus.

Payment
At Camp Oty’Okwa, the cost is $40.00 per camper per day.

A 5 day session is $200.00.
A 10 day session is $400.00.

Through specific fundraising, children in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio are eligible for the special reduced rate of $10.00 per day.

Camp fees should be paid in full before camp attendance. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order or credit card. Please DO NOT mail cash and print your child’s name on the check or money order to ensure proper registration. If a check is returned or a credit card is declined, your child’s registration will no longer be valid.

A $5.00 non-refundable registration fee is required which will be applied to the total camping fee once the registration and session for your child have been confirmed.

The bus fee should be included with the registration fee.

If financial assistance is needed, complete the Financial Application on page 3 of the Registration Form. Your financial assistance request will be reviewed by the Camp Administration department or your Big Brothers Big Sisters caseworker. If you request is approved, the balance will be indicated on your returned confirmation notice.

If another agency or organization is providing the funding for your child to attend Camp Oty’Okwa, written verification from the organization must be enclosed with a contact name and phone number. The other agency or organization will not be invoiced by Big Brothers Big Sisters. The parent or guardian will be responsible for collecting the financial support provided by these sources and payment for camp fees.

Confirmation
A Confirmation Brochure will be mailed once your child has been accepted to Camp Oty’Okwa. It will indicate the session that your child will be attending and the balances for the camp fee and bus fee.

Included with the confirmation will be a Health History Form along with additional information about camp and what to bring.

Health History
The Health History form is prepared by the American Camping Association and must be completed and returned to Big Brothers Big Sisters or Camp Oty’Okwa or the child will not be able to attend camp.

Each camper is required to have a physical examination by a licensed physician within the 24 months prior to camp attendance. The parent or guardian is responsible for the cost.

The first page of the Health History form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian. He/she is also responsible for the information on pages 2 and 3. The back page is to be completed by the physician.

Each child must be free of head lice and nits before attending camp. Each child will be checked before leaving for camp or upon arrival at camp.

Insurance
In the event of an accident requiring a physician’s care or hospitalization, the camper’s parent or guardian is responsible for all medical bills. Camp Oty’Okwa’s insurance company will only cover eligible expenses remaining un-reimbursed by the camper’s insurance.

If an un-reimbursed claim is submitted to Camp Oty’Okwa, an “Explanation of Benefits” from the camper’s insurance company must be requested by the parent or guardian and sent to Big Brothers Big Sisters before the claim can be submitted to its insurance.

What to Bring to Camp Oty’Okwa!

Lodging consists of bunk beds with mattresses. Campers provide their own bedding, clothing and personal items. Clothing should be comfortable, practical and clearly labeled with the camper’s name.

Please DO NOT SEND new or good clothing or items that would be difficult to replace in case of loss or damage.

Big Brothers Big Sisters and Camp Oty’Okwa are NOT RESPONSIBLE for loss, theft or damage of the camper’s personal possessions. Campers are encouraged to explore the outdoors and have fun while at camp. Clothing or items may become dirty beyond recognition!

Each camper should bring enough of the following recommended articles for their entire camp stay:

• Sleeping bag or bed-roll of blankets and sheets with a small pillow if desired.
• 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes (thongs and regular sandals are not appropriate for the terrain.) Sports sandals are acceptable. 1 pair of OLD tennis shoes is recommended for creeking.
• Shorts and shirts
• 1 or 2 pair of jeans or slacks
• Socks (ankle or knee)
• Underwear
• Pajamas
• 1 jacket, sweater or sweatshirt
• Bathing suit
• 1 or 2 towels and a wash cloth
• Toilet articles – bath soap, comb, brush, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent

Disposable cameras are permitted, however, they should be clearly identified with the camper’s name and the camper will be solely responsible for it.

Campers are NOT PERMITTED to bring the following:

• Money
• Knives (even pocket knives) or guns
• Tobacco products, alcohol or illegal substances
• Cellular phones
• Portable stereo and CD players
• Jewelry or anything of value

For additional information about Summer Camp, contact the Camp Administration at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio at 614-839-2447 or email bblau@bbbscentralohio.org.