Older updates
July 2022
Hello, Camp Onseyawa Family!
​
We would like to bring you all up to speed on the recent announcement made by Steven Hoitt, representing Seneca Waterways Council (SWC), regarding Camp Babcock-Hovey. A motion was made and the vote passed on June 14, 2022 by the SWC to sell Camp Babcock-Hovey. This decision was made because of the financial situation faced by SWC due to the settlements/bankruptcy at the National level of Scouting.
​
We are deeply saddened & heartbroken, to say the least. Babcock-Hovey has been the physical home of Camp Onseyawa for 65 years! Those years have touched the lives of so many Campers and Staff...Many of our Onseyawa family have been at Hovey as Scouts, as Onseyawa Campers and others as long time Staff members of Onseyawa. Our emotions are raw and, in most, disbelief.
​
But here's the good news: WE are Camp Onseyawa, whether we are located at Babcock-Hovey or another camp! Our Camp Onseyawa Family of campers, staff and supporters will have many thoughts and emotions about the change; it will certainly be an adjustment, but again, the people are Camp Onseyawa, not the location!
​
Camp will run this year in August as scheduled at Babcock-Hovey with an amazing program. The current plan from SWC states that Babcock-Hovey will close their doors October 31st.
​
We have already begun the search for a new home, including another local camp belonging to Seneca Waterways Council. We continue to foster a good working relationship with SWC and so many Boy Scout individuals who are committed to finding the best resolution to this situation, for us and for them. We are also keeping an open mind to any and all opportunities, of which some are already being explored within our 4-county area.
​
This will be a long, careful process and we are confident that we will find a very suitable location for our new home and the next part of the Onseyawa journey!
​
Please stay positive! This is an unexpected situation but NOT a terrible one. As a Camp Onseyawa family, our bonds are strong and we will carry on the successes of our extraordinary Camp Onseyawa into the future!
​
Thank you all for your continued support of Camp Onseyawa!
​
Robin Mark, Rotary Camp Onseyawa Board President and Camp Co-Director
Joanna Meyer, Camp Co-Director