The Onyahsa Summer offers seven integrated residential programs during each youth camp week; Traditional, three specialties, Academy, Teen, and Leader-in-Training sessions. In addition, Day Camp in the Woods will run for eight weeks. Prior to, and following the youth summer camp program, Mini Camp, family camp-outs, and adult programs are also available. During the school year we also offer monthly youth, parent-child, adult, and family weekend programs from September - May!

Resident youth campers live in rustic single-sex, age-graded cabins, tents, or dorms under the supervision of carefully selected and trained staff members. The Camp's directors and health staff also reside on site, and provide 24 hour per day supervision, and the Camp has a staff to camper ratio of at least 1:8. The typical camper population at Onyahsa is 110 per week.

All resident youth campers participate together in our special activities, such as campfires, skits, Club Time, theme nights, Olympic games, village nights, and other all-camp programs. Meanwhile, through age-group cabin and tent living with their staff members, campers learn to share and live cooperatively as members of small groups. The activities and living areas are staffed with well-qualified and highly committed counselors, who share the goal of making a stay at Onyahsa a truly rewarding experience for all members of the Camp Community.

Camp Type:  Residential  Day  Family Year Established: 1898 Gender: Coed Age of Campers: 5 to 15 years old Cost/Week: $201.00-$350.00/wk Religious Affiliation: Christian Camp Owner(s): YMCA Camp Director(s): Jon O'Brian Nearest Large City: Buffalo, NY Off Season Rental: Yes Accreditations ? ACA YMCA

Camp Focus: Academic and Pre-College Camps: General Academics Academic and Pre-College Camps: Leadership Traditional Camps: YMCA Camps Winter and Spring Break Programs Special Accommodations: ADD, Asthma, Food Allergies, Physical Disabilities,

Art Activities:

Sports Activities:

Adventure Activities:

Academic Activities:

Miscellaneous Activities:

1. Traditional Camp (weeks A-H)

This program is designed for youth ages seven to thirteen, and all activities are developmentally appropriate. Traditional Camp is the heart of our program, for here are made the special friendships and fond memories, which last a lifetime. It is recommended for both new and veteran campers. Traditional Camp will be offered during all general weeks this summer.

Campers who attend Traditional Camp, offered each week, will enjoy all the favorite daily activities such as Swimming, Boating, Arts, Sports, Nature, and campers' "Choice." Traditional is the heart of Onyahsa and is the recommended experience for first-time campers and anyone who likes a wide variety of activities!

Swimming activities include National YMCA instructional swimming and water safety instruction. Boating offers kayaking, sailing, wind surfing, water-skiing, tubing, skin diving, fishing, rowing, and canoeing. (Some aquatic activities have swimming prerequisites). Arts includes activities such as camp crafts, painting, clay sculpture, drama, poetry, and other creative projects. Sports offers a wide range of athletic activities like Soccer, Basketball, Climbing Wall, Archery, Court Games, Softball, New Games, and many others. Nature includes Environmental Education and outdoor activities such as hiking, planting, outdoor cooking, conservation, and many others. Choice enables campers to help create the activities they most enjoy, and to try non-traditional ones, ranging from taking canoe trips, to baking their own pizzas, to crossing our "Burma Bridge" on the Onyahsa Challenge Course.

In addition to these structured daily activities, Traditional Camp also offers morning Polar Bear Club, free time, recreational swimming and boating, diverse and creative Club Time activities, evening programs like New Games, reenactments, or treasure hunts. Special programs such as Olympics, camp elections, dances, skits, campfires, village activities, theme nights, and many others are also offered. (Traditional Camp runs all summer, from weeks A - H).

Traditional Camp is our best value, and moreover it forms the foundation of our program. These favorite programs provide the ideal experience for both "first time" and veteran campers.

 2. Specialty Camps (weeks A-H)

In addition to Traditional Camp, each week will offer four exciting Specialty Sports and Recreation Camps. Campers choose awesome programs, like Horseback Riding, sports, and many more. Specialty Campers will bunk with in the general program, but focus on their chosen specialty activity, (see the annual schedule), for part of the day. They will also participate in most of the Traditional activities listed above; however, they will miss some of them. This experience especially suits older and veteran campers. Please see the annual summer online schedule for descriptions, fees and dates.

3. The Onyahsa Academy (weeks A-H)

To promote fun and active summer learning, (with no tests!), we are proud to offer the Onyahsa Academy. Each week will offer one Academic Specialty for campers who want to learn a new skill or strengthen their knowledge of a favorite subject. In nature's classroom, the Onyahsa Academy will offer summer enrichment and hands-on fun! Take advantage of these great active summer learning opportunities, directed by Onyahsa's educators, and offered at the same tuition as Traditional Camp. Please consult the annual summer online schedule for descriptions, fees and dates.

 4. Teen Camp (weeks A-H)

Each week's fourteen year-old campers who are not registered for the LIT, Specialty, or Academic Programs will be placed into Teen Camp. Here they will participate in, and help to conduct their own, more autonomous and exciting programs such as trip-camping, "extreme team," climbing, sailboat racing, and many other awesome activities. Teen campers will be able to exercise their independence and responsibility by helping to create their own fantastic, less-routine programs. They will also complete a Camp project and assist with special events.

5. Leadership Training (weeks A-H)

Campers fifteen years old (by the start of camp), and who register for a two-week Leader in Training (LIT) session, will have a great time taking trips and participating in more mature projects, while also learning the responsibilities required of leadership. This experience is great for older teens who want both excitement and responsibility, and who are ready to handle more independence.

During their first week, they will reside in Alden Lodge, and during the second one, they will assist in general cabin areas to help with the camp program. LITs will be able to help structure their own program, and activities include several off-camp trips. These trips will enable the LITs to take part in exciting activities that are more suited for adolescents, including wall climbing, sailing, windsurfing, trip-camping, remote hiking, and others. Successful LITs often return as staff members in future seasons. LITs may register for more than one session, and can attend any two consecutive weeks.

6. Jamestown Rotary Club Special Needs Camp (weeks A - H)

 A stay at a quality integrated camp benefits both children with, and children without developmental challenges. Camp Onyahsa offers an Inclusive Program for youth ages 7-15 who have mild to moderate handicapping conditions as a central objective of its Mission. The activities are adapted and developmentally appropriate, and they benefit children of the Special Needs community who require reasonable accommodations. The Jamestown Rotary Club offers full scholarships to local children who are eligible for Special Education services and who meet financial guidelines. Children, of all abilities need friends, and Camp Onyahsa is a great place to make them!

7. Kid's Mini Camp (week I, Sun-Wed)

This session is a three and one-half day mini camp for the younger camper who may not desire a full week of residential camp; a great opportunity for first time and younger campers. All activities will be developmentally appropriate, but "Mini-Campers" will participate in a full range of programs. Kid's Mini Camp will run from Sunday afternoon to Wednesday evening; (enough time to have fun, without getting homesick!). Each year's Mini Camp has been a great success, and enrollment is very limited, so sign up soon! Ages 5-8. Arrival at 3:00pm Sunday, and departure at 6:30pm Wednesday.

8. Summer Weekended Camp (Between All Summer Weeks)

Summer Weekender Camp is available to campers who are attending consecutive weeks. "Summer Weekender Campers" will participate in less-structured activities Saturday at Camp, attend an off-Camp activity, relax, see a movie, and have fun with the small weekend group usually at our YMCA facility in Jamestown. This popular program is only available to self-monitoring campers staying consecutive weeks. The fee includes all meals, a snack, all activities, and laundry money. Ages 7-16

Day Camp in the Woods (Weeks A-H)

Onyahsa offers quality Day Camping experiences for residents of the northern Chautauqua County who are 5-10 years of age. Day Camp in the Woods provides a quality program inspired by the former Chautauqua County YMCA resident Camp (on Bear Lake). Days begin in Dunkirk-Fredonia and in Dewittville. Four days are spent at YMCA Camp Onyahsa, including one overnight option. Campers take one field trip weekly to state parks and local attractions. Fees include all transportation and meals.