Camp News

On May 30th, throngs of new Owegans descended upon camp, eager to begin the process of initiation into the Owego Brotherhood. They departed the following day carrying the flame in their hearts and the words of “Little Red Wagon” in their heads.

In a 24-hour period, they enjoyed meals in the dining hall (B’s and D’s, matzoh ball soup, Chipwiches — all of the Owego MVPs), paddled canoes and kayaks around the lake, ascended the climbing wall and swung through the trees on the Ropes course, volleyed on the tennis courts and dribbled the ball in the HBC, and made s’mores at the campfire. We squeezed so much Owego fun into one day that these new campers couldn’t help but get pumped up for camp!

Perhaps the most impactful moments for our new campers were their interactions with the staff. Head Counselors, Unit Leaders, and Counselors — many of whom were New Camper Weekend attendees once upon a time — introduced themselves by revealing how many years they’ve been at Owego.

“Seven as a camper, two as a counselor.”

“I wasn’t a camper here but this is my eighth summer on staff.”

We are very fortunate that Owego campers become Owego counselors. Owego staff sticks around, summer after summer. We don’t take this for granted. We are extremely proud to have an experienced and loyal group of young men who haven chosen to return to camp not only because they love it, but because they want to pass on that love of camp to the next generation of campers.

As Kyle and Freedo so eloquently stated, while presenting the staff to the new families gathered on the dining hall steps, this is the finished product. The young men who started as new campers, learned the songs and chants, grew more independent and resilient each summer, created meaningful bonds with their fellow Brothers in Blue, struggled at times but bounced back, and CHOSE to return to Owego as leaders and role models — THAT is the finished product.

So if you’re new to Owego and you’re feeling nervous or anxious, just know that these veteran Owegans were once in your shoes. When you’re experiencing ups and downs at camp, these guys have been there, too. Their journeys began at New Camper Weekend, just like yours. The rest of your Owego story will be written one summer at a time.

New Camper Weekend may ignite the flame, but it burns brighter each year as the Brothers in Blue return to their summer home.

As we begin the 50-day countdown to Summer 2026 (Woo-hoo!), camp parents everywhere are beginning to drag trunks out of storage, stock up on sunscreen and bug spray, and force their kids to try on every single bathing suit from 2025 in the hopes that at least one will still fit.

Consider yourself one of the lucky ones if your Owegan didn’t sprout 3 inches over the course of the school year.

While you may end up wandering the aisles of your local Target, trying to decide if this is the year you bite the bullet and actually purchase rain boots to send to camp, we are here to help you navigate the packing list and separate the facts from the misconceptions when it comes to camp preparation. At Owego, our campers know what they like and they like what they know. Tradition is King (er, Chief), and Owego has enough traditions to fill up more camp trunks than the golf cart could ever possibly carry at once.

So, what do you really need to pack for camp?

By now, you’ve gathered up your Owego officials and your treasure trove of shirts from Olympics, Polar Bears, and Camper Scamper. Be sure to include a few hoodies and flannel pajama pants for Friday night campfires and chilly mornings. And don’t forget your 4th of July regalia! Whether you choose to bring a silly costume (ICYMI, last summer’s line-up featured campers dressed as an Icee, a hot dog, and a banana) or accessorize your patriotic clothing with hats, glasses, and beads, our 4th of July breakfast is a dress-up extravaganza!

Owegans love their athletic jerseys, and commonly incorporate them into their bunk’s Bombardment theme (don’t worry — if you don’t know, you’ll know very soon!). Another item that most Owegans cannot be without are pool shoes. Whether you’re a Crocs loyalist or a slides aficionado, pool shoes are suitable for lounging around the bunk during Rest Hour, participating in water activities at the lake, and hanging out in the picnic grove playing tabletop games during Rec Swim.

Two pairs of sneakers is a MUST. One pair will inevitably get wet, get lost, or end up stuck in the mud by the fishing dock (saw it once with my own eyes). On rainy days, some of our campers prefer an old pair of sneakers over rain boots. It’s a great opportunity to “phase out” those well-worn sneakers so you can throw them away at the end of camp and get a brand-new pair just in time for the start of school.

The only item more important than proper footwear is an abundance of SOCKS! Legend has it that campers have returned home from camp with not one single matching pair of socks. Labeled or not, socks tend to vanish into the thin mountain air. They get eaten by the laundry. They hide under bunk beds. No matter where they end up, socks are a hot commodity at Owego. Send lots of them! If the quantity of socks in your camper’s trunk seems ludicrous, you know you’re doing it right!

Clothing and footwear aside, Owegans like to have some basic items to make bunk living more comfortable and homey. A clip-on, battery-powered fan is a MUST, as those sticky July nights can make the cabin air feel downright soupy. A small floor mat placed next to the bed cushions the shock of bare feet against a cold wooden floor at wake-up time. A few photos of family members and pets are always a good idea for display on the bedside wall. A small throw pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal brought from home makes camp feel even more like your home away from home. Finally, a Crazy Creek or soccer chair will be used in an infinite number of ways — at Friday night campfire, during a session of PV Radio, on the sidelines of the counselor softball game on the 4th of July, or just sitting on the bunk porch, hanging out with your friends. That’s the best part of camp, after all.

We know that packing can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned camp families. The packing list will be your best resource, so use it to guide you as you assemble everything you’ll need to make Summer 2026 a huge success. When in doubt, just ask! Kyle and Freedo will happily talk you down off a ledge when you’re having a meltdown over how many beach towels came home last summer with another camper’s name on them (saw it more than once with my own eyes).

Hopefully, this inside scoop on camp packing has been helpful. The only question you should still be asking yourself is, Will I be purchasing rain boots???

With less than 80 days remaining before the first camper arrives on the Lower Field to kick off Summer 2026, we are a “GO” for launch. Many of us watched on April 1st as Artemis II blasted off from Cape Canaveral and embarked on a historical journey to the moon. The four astronauts on board ascended through the atmosphere, most likely filled with a combination of excitement, pride, and nerves for the mission that lay ahead.

Kind of like how we feel as we approach a new summer at camp.

Whether we describe ourselves as Old-Timers, returning campers, or brand-new to Owego, we are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. We haven’t studied rocket science or endured flight training, nor have we experienced zero gravity. But there are more similarities between Artemis II and Owego than one might realize.

We require the correct gear to successfully complete our camp mission. Just as the Artemis astronauts wear their NASA jumpsuits, emblazoned with the American flag, we wear our Owego officials which proudly display the camp colors. We need sturdy shoes, a flashlight, basic toiletries, and bedding. The astronauts must adapt to an unfamiliar environment, and we have to sleep in a cabin with no central air. So be sure to pack a battery-operated fan!

Speaking of cabins, our living arrangements at camp are surprisingly similar to the Artemis II mission. NASA has carefully selected these four astronauts to live and work cooperatively for 10 days aboard the rocket. Owego’s directors place campers together in cabins and expect them to operate as a collective unit for the duration of the summer. Regardless of background, habits, or preferences, the members of the Artemis II crew AND each camper at Owego must contribute positively towards what is best for the group. At camp, we share a small living space and must be respectful of each other in order for things to go smoothly. Being a part of a bunk at camp is a lot like being a member of a space crew. Each of us is a vital piece of the puzzle, and every piece must fit together to create a complete unit.

The astronauts aboard Artemis II are a skilled and resilient group, trained to react to any problem imaginable. On the first day of the Artemis II mission, the toilet broke. Sound familiar, anyone? Things will go wrong at camp. How we react will determine whether or not things can bounce back to a place of equilibrium. We may not be professionally trained like the Artemis crew, but we can approach the summer with an open mind and do our best to be flexible and adaptable to all situations.

Perhaps the most obvious parallel between Artemis and Owego is the “forced” independence. Like the astronauts, we are away from home — some of us for the very first time. We may not have access to the comforts of home (our favorite foods to eat, electronic devices to keep us occupied, the coziness of our own beds) but we learn to adapt and become comfortable with a new way of living. Even if it can feel at times like we are stepping out of our comfort zones while at camp, we are growing as individuals and accumulating life experience.

NASA has provided us with captivating stories and images over the past 10 days, and now it’s our turn to boldly go where no Owegan has gone before…SUMMER 2026!!!

Spring is in the air! Summer 2026 will be here before we know it!  

Lake Owego is full of tradition, rituals and special names, and though there’s no pressure to learn them yet, we thought it might be fun to share some fun facts with you! They’ll be second nature in no time!

Camp Colors: Blue and White

Camp Motto: “Leave your Image at the Gate.”
When entering through the gates of LOC, every camper should know that camp is a place where you can be your true self.

SFA (Supervised Free Activity):
We call it “SFA” (you can say it as a word- put the “SF” together and then add an “AH”)

Every night after dinner and on Thursday mornings, this special time is for campers to play freely. With counselors supervising, children get to choose from various activities such as basketball, followed by some tennis, and then head to the lake to go fishing.  Whatever they’re in the mood for that day!

Olympics and Frontier Week
Two major all-camp events. Olympics is in the first session, and Frontier Week is in the second session. The camp is split into six teams and the two events start with an exciting, surprise “breakout.”

The Village
The location of the Junior and Intermediate bunks, grades 2nd-6th.

The Ridge
The location of the Senior and Hi-Senior bunks and tents, grades 7th-11th.

Hughie Black Center or HBC
The indoor basketball court, weight room and fencing room. Named after Hughie and Selma Black, the founders of the camp.

Robinson’s Pool

Named after our long-time head of pool and the original Papa Polar Bear.

Shelly’s Cookout

Location of our Thursday BBQ lunches and our end of Olympics Steak dinner. Named after Shelly Silver, long-time director of camp.

Kyle’s Gathering
A special area in camp for campers and counselors to relax, reflect and hang out. Named after current Director Kyle Silver.

Jacoby Field
This is our upper field at camp where we play soccer, football, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and many other special events at camp. Named after long-time director, Tom Jacoby.

South Courts
Our brand new pickleball courts. Named after Bill South, former Head Counselor

Scotty’s Stage
Camp’s covered stage where we gather to watch camp’s incredible shows.  Also used for rainy day activities and various other indoor camp activities.  Named after Scotty Myers, current head of Creative Arts.

Hopefully this list will help you and your child feel even more a part of our camp family as we count down to welcome you this summer.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have. We can’t wait to see you this summer up at camp!

Kyle and Jeff “Freedo”
Directors, Lake Owego Camp

“Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

And what’s on the other side?”

Well, Kermit, we’re glad you asked.

March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. It brings us the first day of Spring, the NCAA basketball tournament, and mischievous red-bearded leprechauns…and it also brings us one month closer to Summer 2026!

The color green dominates the March landscape. Everywhere we look, we see emblems of St. Patrick’s Day — shamrocks, rainbows, and big ol’ pots of gold. Legend has it that you can follow the rainbow to its end and discover the leprechaun’s hidden treasure. But we Owegans have no need for myths and legends. We have the real treasure right in front of us: CAMP.

Once or twice a summer, we are treated to the majestic sight of a rainbow arcing across the Greeley sky. The colors remind us that camp is an amalgam of ages, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. When combined, they create something awe-inspiring and unique. Let’s go on a journey with Roy G. Biv (neither leprechaun nor Owegan) to explore all of the many colors that make Owego so special.

RED: From the life vests on the lake shore to the lifeguard shirts at the pool, the color red represents safety and security at camp. It’s the color of last summer’s Frontier Week runner-up, Unami, and 2024’s Olympic champion, Bangladesh.

ORANGE: The color orange can be found on the basketballs in the HBC and in the ever-present cantaloupe in the dining hall. It’s also the color of Barbara Black’s homemade Nova lox that we are lucky enough to enjoy every Sunday morning. Speaking of Nova lox, if you were lucky enough to snag one of the super-soft, salmon-colored Olympic shirts in 2022, you are now in possession of a rare Owego treasure.

YELLOW: We eat yellow bananas with breakfast and “yellow” Challah with Friday night dinner. Some of us prefer a certain yellow condiment on our B’s and D’s. The Wibit at the lake, while also featuring green and blue, stands out against the natural terrain because of its bright yellow hue. Yellow is sunshine and happiness, both of which we get in abundance at camp!

GREEN: Now that we’ve made it out of winter’s icy grip, we can focus on the return of sweet green. The grass begins to dominate the landscape once again, and the trees start to bloom. Cue allergy season! Green is the color of the Owego cabin doors, the tennis courts, and THE Gambia. More green is headed our way this summer!

BLUE: This “official” color of Owego can be found in our logo and even in our nickname, “Brothers in Blue.” Take a look at our Instagram feed and you’ll see a splash of blue in pretty much every photo. We wear our camp officials with pride! As if the Owego clothing wasn’t enough, our canoes are blue, as is the bell hanging by the Junior Gathering Deck that marks the end of periods.

INDIGO/VIOLET: Purple is the color of last summer’s Olympic champion, Tanzania. It’s also the color of the wildflowers scattered throughout the woods as we walk to Friday night campfires. The ubiquitous purple Grimace costume makes its way around camp all summer long, and most campers don’t even know who Grimace is!

As Kermit the Frog sits by the swamp, strumming his banjo and singing about the majesty of rainbows, we eagerly anticipate the colorful maelstrom that awaits us in just 105 days. From the Lucky Charms coveted by Junior campers at breakfast, to the sea of Olympic shirts at the closing ceremony, rainbows are never far away at Owego.

“All of us under its spell

We know that it’s probably magic.”

We’ve reached the point in winter where the cold is no longer cute, the snow is no longer pretty, and the lack of vitamin D is making us go a little bit stir crazy.

Also known as February.

The good news is, there are actions we can take to stave off the bitterness of winter’s icy chill: We burrow under blankets, crank up the heat, and cuddle with our pets in the hopes of absorbing some of their radiant warmth. The better news is, we can summon warm thoughts and bask in their glow simply by closing our eyes and transporting ourselves back to camp. It may be difficult to remember “Beat the Heat” when you’re bundled up in a puffer jacket and your fingers are numb, but our memories can be roused from their hibernation in just a few simple steps. Let’s try it!

Step One: Throw on your favorite Owego hoodie and flannel pajama pants. After all, you have to look the part if you want to feel like you’re actually there. Once you’re in your camp gear, settle in for a feast for the senses.

Step Two: Close your eyes and listen. Really listen. You can hear Kyle’s voice at morning lineup, Freedo’s bicycle whooshing by as you walk to first period, screen doors slamming as the Unit Leaders conduct inspection in the Village, basketballs bouncing off the cement in the HBC, cheers and claps during a raucous lunch, and gleeful splashing during rec swim.

Step Three: Inhale and take a whiff of your surroundings. Can you smell the B’s and D’s cooking on the outdoor grill? The fresh cut grass on the Upper Field? Your bunkmate’s dirty socks? Sunscreen and chlorine at the pool? Camp is made up of many specific odors. Olfactory memory is the ability of scents to trigger vivid, emotional, and long-forgotten memories. There’s nothing more emotional than our memories of camp.

Step Four: Feel yourself at camp. Remember what it feels like to be carefree and homework-free? The sunshine warms your neck and back. The cool water of the lake gives you goose bumps. The sand of the beach volleyball pit mashes between your toes. Your best bud’s arm drapes loosely across your shoulders. The air just feels different. You are at your summer home.

If all else fails, you can curl up by the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and take solace in the fact that we will ACTUALLY be at camp in just 135 days. Put on your Frontier Week Spotify playlist and be patient. Seasons come and seasons go. Warmer days are ahead. The best is yet to come.