Camp News

Sundays at camp mean bagels with smoked salmon for breakfast, the start of a fresh new week, and our weekly visitation with our siblings at CTT and PFC.

Sundays are also for breaking Olympics, so here we goooooooooo!

Campers and staff were enjoying a lovely Italian dinner (the Sunday gravy was especially on point, I might add), when things veered a little off course. Dave took the microphone to do his usual post-dinner announcements, when Hacky Sacks began falling from the sky.

Well, not exactly.

Several Key Staff had positioned themselves (safely) upon the dining hall roof, and were tossing hacky sacks onto the ground below. Once the air horn sounded, everyone knew that it was NOT a drill! Campers poured from the dining hall, shouting, “Olympics!” Some of the Juniors looked a little confused, but the older boys guided them in the right direction! The instructions were to head to the Lower Field.

Once the campers arrived at the Lower Field, they noticed hundreds of hacky sacks scattered across the grass. Upon closer look, each hacky sack was one of 6 different colors and had a specific camper’s name on it. The goal? To find your name and get an Olympics shirt in your team’s color. Was it chaotic? A little bit. But friends helped each other out, and everyone eventually had the correct hacky sack in his possession.

Once the teams were assembled, new shirts and all, Kyle welcomed the entire camp to Olympics 2026! The Olympic flame was paraded onto the field by last summer’s Camper Triathlon winners. The cauldron was ignited, and it was time for the fanfare to begin!

Dave took center stage and began to announce the countries, Captains, and Head Coaches. One at a time, he held up the flag, announced the country’s name, and disclosed which campers and counselors would lead the team. Lots of cheers and high-fives later, the teams were set. The teams for Olympics 2026 are: Red Tonga, Green New Zealand, Yellow French Polynesia, Purple Samoa, Light Blue Tuvalu, and Orange Kiribati!

All campers were sent back to bunks to get sneakers and water, then summoned to the Upper Field for the first official event of Olympics 2026: Bull Rush. In Owego’s version of “Sharks and Minnows,” groups of Juniors, Seniors, and Hi-Seniors from each team take turns running across the Upper Field, while counselors try to grab their flag football belts. Anyone who makes it across the field with his belt still intact, scores a point for his team. The results of Bull Rush determine the order in which the teams get to choose their indoor meeting areas. These 6 areas are used frequently during Olympics for strategy meetings, song practice, and morale boosting. Owego veterans take the choosing of the areas VERY seriously!

Tomorrow, we will begin the first of three full days of Olympic competition. Teams will learn cheers and songs, compete in a series of athletic games, participate in games of strategy, and — most importantly — cheer on their friends and teammates. Our goal is for every Owegan to walk away from Olympics saying, “That was a lot of fun.” For the next three days, we are divided into 6 countries. But no matter what color shirt we wear, deep down we are still Brothers in Blue.

 

Today was a changing of the guard, so to speak. A true “Sunrise, Sunset” moment in time. Owego hosted its first “Play Day” of Summer 2026, for prospective campers, and honored its new members of the “Old-Timers’ Club.” These two events represented an intersection of Owego’s future and its past.

Many of our current Owegans attended a Play Day at one time or another. Some of them even remember which counselors were assigned to the group on the day they visited! Designed as a “try-it” day for families considering sending their sons to Owego, our Play Days give parents and kids an accurate snapshot of a day in the life of an Owegan. The prospective campers engage in activities like tennis, ropes, swimming, arts and crafts, and basketball, eat lunch in our dining hall, and interact with our campers and staff. The parents are given a tour of camp, and hear directly from Kyle and Freedo what makes Owego so unique and remarkable. We hope that today’s Play Day is just a starting point for these boys, and that they become the future of Owego.

No future is possible, however, without a solid foundation rooted in the past. And it was with reverence for the past this evening that we honored the new first-session members of Owego’s “Old-Timers’ Club.” Starting with your third summer as an Owegan, you are welcomed into an elite group of campers who have demonstrated longevity at camp. Once you reach your seventh summer, you are celebrated with an official royal blue “Old-Timers” t-shirt which has your name emblazoned over the left chest. Seven-year campers are also invited to take part in the Old-Timers’ ceremony, where new inductees share their most memorable (and often hilarious) stories from their time at Owego. Achieving Old-Timer status earns you bragging rights. You can wear your shirt with pride, knowing that you directly contributed to Owego’s rich history and tradition. Your name will be stored in the archives of camp lore forever.

Camp is all about the old and the new. Old traditions, new facilities, old stories, new songs, old t-shirts, new swag. The seasons come and go. We are deeply grateful to the Old-Timers who have shown their love for and loyalty to Owego by returning to camp year after year. And we are excited to welcome the new generation of Owegans who are poised to carry the flame forward when the Old-Timers have long since departed. The camp journey is a lengthy, winding road, but all signs point to Owego.

 

 

 

As if Fridays at camp aren’t special enough, today we had the pleasure of welcoming our oldest campers back to the 18425. The Tents returned from their epic 10-day Costa Rican adventure, and the 10th graders wrapped up the 3-day Grand Owegan and returned to camp. We couldn’t be happier to have all Owegans back together in Greeley again!

We are lucky to have a special guest at camp all weekend long. Ryan Carroll, a familiar face at Owego for many summers, arrived yesterday with his equipment, set up shop on the lower level of the dining hall and is sharing his woodworking skills with the campers and staff. Ryan is a master craftsman who returns every summer around this time with his sanding equipment, wood samples, and pen components. All campers have the opportunity to work with Ryan to craft a pen from scratch. He guides them through the sanding and shaping process, until the wood is smooth as silk and curved just the way they like. Then he helps them choose the necessary pieces to assemble. We are so appreciative to Ryan for sharing his knowledge and materials with us, and we can’t wait to write a letter home with our brand-new handcrafted pens!

Let’s check in with our Top Cooks campers, who have continued to WOW us with their culinary talent! Today, they traveled out of camp to Calkins Creamery in Honesdale where they visited with the dairy cows and watched a cheese-making demonstration. Then these chefs-in-training got to make their own cheese from scratch, and taste it! Every chef knows that the tasting part is an added bonus.

Tonight, we enjoyed Friday night dinner, followed by a Social at CTT for the Seniors and Hi-Seniors, Speedball for our 5th/6th graders, and Capture the Flag for Juniors. The divisional campfires have been pushed to Sunday night to ensure that our Tents will be well-rested and ready to lead! Now that all Owegans are safely back from their travels and have rejoined the fun in Greeley, the camp chatter will undoubtedly turn to the next major event on everyone’s minds: Olympics! Veteran Owegans will share stories of unforgettable break-outs from past summers, and everyone will be guessing how and when this Olympics is going to break. As we wrap up our second full week of camp, we know one thing for sure: Olympics is coming, and it’s going to be incredible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By this point in the summer, you’ve definitely seen the photos. A group of campers are gathered around a picnic table, focused on the boy at the center. The boy is wearing a silly-looking yellow, blue, and red hat that resembles a giant birthday cake (complete with candles sticking straight up in the air)! Everyone in the photo looks happy and well-fed.

What you’ve just stumbled upon is an Owego birthday celebration!

Birthdays at Owego are a momentous occasion, and thus must be properly documented. We know that it can be tough to have a summer birthday. You are away from your family and friends, and it can feel like your special day gets a bit “glossed over.” But when it’s your birthday at Owego, you are the King! The Head Honcho! The Big Kahuna! We will celebrate you all day long and ensure that you feel the love from near and far!

Your Owego birthday begins at morning line-up, where you will have the privilege of raising the flag as Dave bellows, “Please respect our nation!” Your name will be prominently displayed on Brandon’s Board, visible to every individual who enters the Dining Hall. You’ll get a phone call with your family, which can include your Owego sibling and usually involves Mom and/or Dad singing “Happy Birthday” to you over the Greeley phone lines. It is a delightful treat for the birthday camper.

Your Mom and/or Dad may have already sent a birthday package to camp, filled with gifts and surprises. Lindsey and Emmy will keep your birthday package safe and sound in the office until you are able to retrieve it. At dinner time, the real celebration takes place. Your bunk will be treated to a pizza party in the picnic grove (arranged lovingly by Mom and/or Dad), and your sibling(s) will undoubtedly show up to “help” you enjoy your pizza dinner!

When it’s time for cake, you’ll know it. A faint commotion will begin to emanate from the Dining Hall. You’ll hear metallic banging, whistles, and shouts of excitement. Unit Leaders and Counselors will burst through the back door and careen down the porch stairs. They will be banging pots and pans, blowing whistles, and causing such a cacophony that campers inside the Dining Hall will be left confused and gobsmacked.

Missy will place the aforementioned hat on your head and take a bunch of photos while the Unit Leaders and Counselors stop the insanity long enough to sing Owego’s special birthday song. You and your bunkmates (and siblings, of course) will enjoy a delicious birthday cake, specially prepared by our amazing kitchen staff. As you lick the sugary icing from your lips, you’ll think to yourself, “That was the best birthday EVER!”

So next time you come across these birthday photos in your endeavor to scroll through 347 pictures before bedtime, remember how much love and care goes into these special celebrations. Birthdays at camp are fun and silly and delicious and one-of-a-kind!

 

 

 

 

 

Every summer has its rainy spells. Every summer has its heat waves. And every summer has days like today: Bright sunshine, blue skies, low humidity, and a perfect 80 degrees. Days like this are hard to come by, so we try to savor them and enjoy every moment spent outdoors. There is a little extra pep in our step, more “joie de vivre” than usual, and a general sense of contentment everywhere you look.

The morning was filled with all of the sports, games, and activities we’ve been missing on super-hot or super-rainy days. Campers scattered across the Lower Field, playing Ultimate Frisbee and practicing their golf swings. On the Upper Field, there was soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. The tennis and Pickleball courts were packed, and the pool and lake were a flurry of activity. Camp was back to doing what it does best: Providing our campers with a variety of options to stay active and busy!

The 10th graders embarked on the Grand Owegan, and Mother Nature provided a glorious day on which to begin their epic 3-day adventure. They will paddle down the Delaware today and set up camp in Worthington State Forest. Tomorrow, the group will spend most of the day rock climbing at Ricks Rocks. After dinner, they will hike to the next campground and rest for the final day of hiking. Once the day 3 hike is complete, our boys will get picked up in Worthington for the drive back to Owego. We will keep you updated on their progress.

The Greeley Games are underway, with a wide variety of intercamp opportunities for our campers. We rotate between Owego, Timber Tops, and Pine Forest, competing against our brother and sister camps in swimming, archery, soccer, fishing, basketball, flag football, and many other activities. Everyone’s competitive spirit gets fired up, and we have a really great time.  Some of our campers even get to see their siblings/cousins/family members in the process! Double bonus! We’re extremely proud of all of our campers who participated in an intercamp competition today!

Tonight, our 9th graders will enjoy a Teen Canteen with their counterparts at Timber Tops (a pretty nice consolation prize with the rest of the Hi-Senior division off camp on their respective escapades). Tomorrow, we will welcome Ryan Carroll back to camp for a long weekend of pen-making.

We’ll write more about that later…when we have a finished pen!

 

 

 

After enduring yesterday’s steady rainfall and making the best of a soggy situation, campers were pleasantly surprised to wake up to a dry forecast. Outdoor activities could resume, and the Juniors AND Seniors would be able to visit Costa’s for the first time this summer!

If you are a family that is new to Owego, you may not fully grasp just how much our campers love to visit Costa’s each summer. Located just about 10 minutes west of camp, right on Route 6, Costa’s Family Fun Park is a kid’s paradise. Each of our three divisions boards the bus to Costa’s once during each session. This morning, the Juniors kicked things off in spectacular fashion! The Seniors took the afternoon shift, and were thrilled to discover that the Juniors had even left a little bit of ice cream for them to enjoy.

There are so many reasons why our campers love going to Costa’s. First, it’s one of the few opportunities our younger campers have to travel outside of camp. Once the yellow school bus exits the gates and turns on to Route 6, there is a sense of wonder that descends upon a camper who hasn’t been out in the “real world” for an entire week! Upon arrival at Costa’s, it’s difficult to know where to go first.

Our campers (and counselors) love the variety of activities available to them at Costa’s. While today’s weather was a little too chilly to enjoy the waterslides, there was plenty to keep campers entertained. Some go straight for the Go-Karts. Others gravitate towards mini-golf. The Laser Tag room is always a favorite. New to Costa’s this summer is a Virtual Reality game where the players wear a headset and engage in a fully interactive adventure. Both the Juniors and Seniors had a blast trying it out.

No trip to Costa’s would be complete without some delicious soft-serve ice cream! All of our campers and staff were treated to a cone or cup to ensure a sweet ending to a fun-filled day. If you’re wondering why our oldest campers missed out on today’s fun, don’t worry! The Hi-Seniors will have their chance to visit Costa’s towards the end of the first session, once the Costa Rica trip, the Grand Owegan, and Olympics are complete. We wouldn’t dare withhold such an enjoyable experience from them!

 

 

Back in the early 90’s when some of us (ahem) were campers, rainy days at camp were an excuse to lay low, write letters, and catch up on summer reading. We called it “Bunk-O.” When the head counselors declared “Bunk-O,” we languished in our cabins, listening to cassettes of Steve Miller and Cat Stevens on someone’s boom box. Though we’d never have admitted it, we were bored.

Fast forward to today. Rainy days at camp no longer banish campers to the confines of their bunks. We put on our rain boots and rain jackets, and splash through puddles on our way from one activity to the next. Though we may not swim or use the lake, our Key Staff is still able to provide programming that gets campers moving and stimulates their bodies and brains. When the sky opens up, that’s when our Key Staff gets really creative!

It all starts with utilizing our weather-proof facilities. The dining hall is a great place to run an impromptu cooking period. Scotty’s Stage can host trivia, lip-sync battles, and silly games like “Go Bananas.” The HBC allows us to play basketball, rain or shine, and can even provide a space for obstacle courses and games like Speedball or Matball. Inside the HBC, we have a weight room, a fencing space, and a wrestling area. The Silverdome is a great place to congregate on a rainy day, whether you are playing hockey or Bombardment. The Arts & Crafts/Rocketry pavilion allows campers to get their creative juices flowing even when the sun isn’t shining. All of these locations in camp give us a place to go when it rains so we can engage in fun activities and still get a bit of fresh air and outdoors exposure.

Rainy days at camp aren’t an excuse to just “hang out.” We stick to the schedule format and run regular periods, in order to provide a variety of things for campers to do. Yes, we still play cards and board games. Yes, we still have Rest Hour. No, we are not confined to our cabins all day long, wistfully looking out the window and wondering when the rain will let up. We pivot and shift gears, keeping everyone moving so spirits stay high.

The best thing about rain is that it does eventually stop. And as soon as it does, we drop what we’re doing, toss aside our rain boots, and return to the Great Outdoors! Even if we have to wait all morning or all afternoon to return to business as usual, we stay active and busy. We all know the best place to be in camp is under the sun. And we also know that good things come to those who wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that July 4th has come and gone, and the first heat wave of Summer 2026 is finally abating, we can officially move into the next phase of camp: Getting into the groove!

The first week of camp is a time for orientation, adjustment, practice, and “testing the waters,” so to speak. Our campers have become acquainted with one another, adapted to the camp schedule, tried some new foods, and settled into a predictable routine. By the time the July 4th holiday rolls around, pretty much every Owegan can tell you what happens after breakfast (Inspection), where they go for Canteen (under the dining hall), and how to play Magic the Gathering (good luck understanding those instructions). We’ve emerged from our trial period and are entering the experiential part of the summer. What happens from here on out is the meat and potatoes of life as an Owegan.

Starting today, every Sunday will feature a “sibling” visitation at Timber Tops. Those campers with sisters/cousins/parents at CTT will eat an early lunch and then board the bus to head down the road for some quality family time. Later this week, both the Junior and Senior divisions will visit Costas Family Fun Park, where they will ride Go-Carts, play mini-golf, hurtle down waterslides, and eat yummy ice cream! Also this week, the 10th graders will embark on the Grand Owegan — a 3-day overnight adventure where they will canoe, rock climb, hike, and camp out under the stars like real outdoorsmen!

Rounding out this week’s calendar of events is the return of our Tents from Costa Rica, several Teen Canteens, numerous intercamp competitions as part of the “Greeley Games,” and even pen-making! Ryan will be back with his tools and wood samples, and campers will be sanding and shaping to their hearts’ content! This is just a sampling of the activities on tap for this week. Stay tuned to the blog for much, much more!

Today was a welcome “reset” after the excitement and overstimulation of yesterday’s celebration. Owego returned to its usual pace, without all the loud music and streamers and crazy costumes (though there was a banana spotted walking around the Village this morning). The campers and staff are starting week two with a fresh outlook and a sense of familiarity. We’ve got this. We know what to expect when we open our eyes each morning, and we’ve grown accustomed to life at camp.

But be aware: Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, along comes Olympics to shake things up a bit. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we will settle comfortably into each new day and immerse ourselves in the Owego life. This is summer.

 

 

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Owego’s Fourth of July festivities are a feast for the senses. Summer after summer, we celebrate America’s birthday with patriotic costumes, music, food, and fun. Today, in honor of our country’s 250th, we turned up the volume and threw a party that would make even Miley Cyrus proud.

The Hi-Seniors kicked things off early this morning, after staying up late last night to decorate the dining hall. As is Owego tradition, they challenged the International staff to a good, old-fashioned water balloon fight! While the rest of camp slept soundly in their beds, the 9th and 10th graders hurled water balloons at the International counselors and got pelted by plenty in return! Yes, everyone got wet. And yes, it was a great way to wake up and start the holiday!

Once the International staff dried off, they boarded a bus and headed down the road to America’s favorite restaurant, McDonald’s! Nothing like making our overseas visitors feel welcome by soaking them with water balloons and then stuffing them full of Egg McMuffins and Hash Browns!

At precisely 7:45, the rest of camp was awakened by the sound of “Born in the USA” blasting from the speakers. Bleary-eyed campers brushed their teeth and grabbed the patriotic gear that had been lovingly packed in their trunks. They emerged from their cabins like a red, white, and blue tsunami. Flags, beads, hats, face paint, and Phillies jerseys (yes!!!) marched to lineup like an Olympic parade. Some of the costumes kicked it up a notch, as expected. There were a few hot dogs, a lobster, a prime USDA steak (really), and a banana (that one always confounds me). Well done, Owegans! Actually, more like medium rare…

Sorry, I had to say it.

After Dave inspired us with his declaration, “Please respect our Nation!” as the flag was raised, we got goosebumps from Whitney Houston’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As everyone entered the dining hall for breakfast, Scotty played our favorite 4th of July tunes and we bopped along as we helped ourselves to eggs, French toast, and cereal. Kyle stood like a sentry at the end of the buffet line, armed with a whipped cream canister in each hand. Eager campers and counselors stepped up for a dollop on their plates and a small drop into their mouths!

As the opening chords of “Sweet Caroline” reverberated through the dining hall, the counselors paraded out of the kitchen, carrying boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts. The sugary treats were handed out and campers licked the icing from their lips as they joined in the chorus with an enthusiastic, “So good! So good! So good!” Those donuts are a 4th of July highlight every summer. One camper apparently saw a Krispy Kreme store out in the wild and asked his Dad for a “4th of July donut!” Owego never leaves us!

The morning continued with a double SFA period, leading up to a delicious grove lunch of B’s and D’s. These weren’t just any D’s, however. These were All-American, foot-long, bigger-than-your-arm hot dogs! The only thing better than a cookout on the 4th of July is a cookout in perfect summer weather! Last night’s storm brought us much more comfortable conditions, and the slight breeze felt heavenly!

Tonight’s festivities took place at Timber Tops. While it initially seemed as though Mother Nature might intervene, everything went off without a hitch! The Owego Juniors enjoyed games and ice pops with the CTT Juniors, while the Seniors and Hi-Seniors gathered on the basketball courts for a Social with their CTT peers. Everyone came together for a spectacular fireworks display to end the evening. Owego celebrated with patriotism and spirit from sunrise to sundown! Nobody does the 4th of July quite like camp!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the first full week of Summer 2026 draws to a close, it’s difficult to recall just how rainy and damp Day 1 actually was. Since our inaugural day of camp, the skies have cleared and a heat wave has settled on most of the Northeastern portion of our 250-year-old country. When we look back on the week leading up to July 4th, we will remember making new friends, trying new activities, taking new risks, eating new foods, and spending LOTS of time in the water!

Today, we were able to run a regular schedule all morning long. Bunk Sioux traveled out of camp on a river trip, and spent quality time together floating lazily down the Delaware! Those of us who stayed in camp had the pleasure of interacting once again with the misting station in Pioneer Village. Some campers are already petitioning to make this a permanent feature of camp! Heat wave or not, a little refreshing spray never hurt anyone!

After lunch, the Seniors signed up for a modified Choice period. Limited to choices like lake, pool, rocketry, archery, arts & crafts, and camp craft, everyone got to choose activities where they could stay relatively cool while still being active and having a lot of fun. The Juniors enjoyed another water extravaganza in the Village, with sprinklers, wet sponges, and the aforementioned misting tent. Have we sufficiently expressed just how universally beloved this thing is??? Sixth period was designated as an all-camp rec swim, with the added surprise of ice cream sandwiches to sweeten the deal even further!

The original plan during SFA was for campers to have the option of carrying their Crazy Creeks to the Upper Field for the annual USA vs. International counselor soccer game. But Mother Nature had something else in mind. During dinner, a thunderstorm rolled in and soaked camp in a (much-needed) downpour. Luckily, the storm moved out as quickly as it had moved in, and we were able to have a modified SFA period which included the soccer game. With all the World Cup hype right now, the spectators were extra pumped and excited to cheer on their favorite countries…er, counselors! The game ultimately ended in a tie, 1 – 1. Tomorrow’s counselor softball game will give each side another chance to declare victory!

The night concluded with the first divisional campfires of the summer! Everyone went back to bunks to put on sturdy shoes and “longs and longs,” then trekked out to their respective campsites. There were stories, songs, chants, and cheers, as we officially welcomed our new Owegans into the Brotherhood. Once you’ve attended an Owego campfire, after all, the flame burns bright in your heart for all time.