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At Camp Onseyawa our emphasis is on making sure each camper is enabled to participate in any kind of camping activity regardless of the type of impairment. Each day at camp is divided into activity periods during which, campers can visit program areas. Our program activities are the same as you might find at any regular summer camp.
Campers can choose from program areas such as Archery, Riflery, Nature, Frontier Living, Swimming, Canoeing, Fishing, Handicrafts, Ceramics, Sensory, Drama and Athletics.
After dinner each evening there is an activity organized for everyone to participate in. Each year our evening activities follow a theme. Themes from past years have included; Time Travel, Hooray for Hollywood, Around the World, Holidays at Camp and for summer 2000 the theme was "Back to Nature". Regardless of our theme, the emphasis is on participation and fun for all the campers.
Our theme one summer was "Up, Up and Away!" Here is a synopsis of the activities we planned and how they followed our theme.
The Staff arrived at camp and right away were busy unpacking our equipment. In the evening there was a sing along campfire for staff with a chance to renew old friendships and begin some new ones!
After some orientations sessions in the morning we're ready for the campers to arrive! There's the traditional opening campfire at which the staff performed skits and songs for the campers. It's our way of introducing ourselves and letting the campers know a little about the program.
Unit time! It's campers' choice night, Units go to a program area of their choice, have an ice cream social, a water balloon contest or whatever other activity they can dream up.
Astronaut training relays, campers participated in some zany relay contests designed to test their abilities to become astronauts. Contests included an egg drop, a dizzy bat relay, and a space shuttle driving simulation.
The Street Dance - With the air band contest! Our friend Timmy Abraham comes to spin tunes and the campers perform up on stage along with their favorite hit songs!
Closing Ceremony - that's the end of the first session, we wind it up with a campfire and awards presentation.
Rest and relaxation - the staff's day off!
Once again the opening campfire at which the staff perform skits and songs for the campers. It's our way of introducing ourselves and letting the campers know a little about the program.
Sunday Service & The Carnival, each year members of our
supporting Rotary clubs volunteer their time to come to camp and set
up old time carnival booths. Campers play and no one goes home empty
handed. For lunch there's always a great chicken BBQ! We are also saw
a demonstration of radio controlled airplanes.
After dinner we are treated to a concert from the Seneca Falls
Community Band. Every year they come at no charge to the camp and
give us a wonderful performance.
Kite Flying - In China there is a national holiday in which everyone heads out to the fields to fly kites. Everyone was able to build, decorate and fly their own kite!
The idea for this evening's activity came to us from counselor Chris Rockwell. Using tissue paper, glue and some wire, we built and decorated and launched some of our own Hot Air Balloons.
The Rocket Launch - Each camper had a chance build and launch their own model rocket!
The Big Dance - This is the last big night at camp, campers and counselors dress up for one last bash. Jimmy Richmond's Band from Rochester invited campers and counselors up on stage to perform with them.
The Closing Campfire. Campers received their awards, the outstanding unit camper awards are presented, the staff is introduced and we honor our "graduates". This year special plaques were awarded to staff members for their years of service to Camp Onseyawa.
On Saturday it was time to pack it all up and put it away until the next summer. It's a miserable job, but we keep our spirits up by reminding each other that it's only 50 more weeks till we're all together again singing "we're all together again we're here. . ."
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