Oxford students in the Oxford New York FFA Chapter attended the Oswegatchie Educational Center this summer for a week of summer leadership camp, where they learned communication and strategic thinking skills, worked as a team, and participated in leadership workshops. (Submitted photo)

CROGHAN – From July 3 through August 5, members of the New York FFA Association were hosted at Oswegatchie Educational Center in Croghan, NY for a week of summer leadership camp.

This year 58 FFA chapters from across New York State, as well as two from Connecticut, brought 804 of Oswegatchie’s 855 total campers – nearly breaking the record attendance set in 2019. This year marked a return to regular summer camp programming after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down the 2020 season and led to shortened sessions and smaller group sizes for 2021.

The Oxford FFA chapter of New York FFA attended Oswegatchie’s summer camp with 22 members from July 24 to 29. Students connected with peers from across the state to develop their leadership skills and engage in outdoor recreation activities. Members were able to create lasting memories at Oswegatchie FFA Camp and connect with the outdoors.

If you would like to support our FFA chapter in sending students to camp next summer or for a fall environmental education program, please contact Advisor Renee Johnson at rjohnson@oxac.org. Members love visiting Oswegatchie both during the winter and summer months!

During their stay in the Adirondacks, FFA members participated in leadership workshops hosted by New York FFA State Officers and District Presidents. Campers worked in teams to complete a series of puzzles, all centered on developing their communication and strategic thinking skills.

Low ropes activities brought campsite groups together to work towards a shared task, giving members an opportunity to collaborate and bond as a group. At the end of each week, six campers were selected to serve as banquet officers and show off their ability to run an official FFA meeting for the entire camp.

In addition to their leadership building activities, campers engaged in environmental education classes, outdoor recreation activities, and challenged themselves on the TEAM Challenge High Ropes Course.

Nature art classes, led by camp’s environmental educator, largely focused on examining the flora and fauna of Oswegatchie and the Adirondacks. Water activities like kayaking and stand-up paddle board trips allowed campers to experience the Land of the Dark Waters and explore Oswegatchie’s four ponds.

Whether it was making it to the top of a climbing element or taking a ride on the 400-foot zip line, the high ropes course gave campers a chance to push their limits and offered a once in a lifetime opportunity. Other activities included horse trail rides, archery, mountain biking, and hikes — all giving campers the chance to connect with their peers and create life-long memories in the outdoors.

The Oswegatchie Educational Center is owned and operated by the New York FFA Foundation, Inc. The camp is situated on 1,200 acres of Adirondack forest, with the West Branch of the Oswegatchie River flowing through it.

Use of the property is not limited to those connected with FFA. If you would like to learn more about the New York FFA Foundation, Oswegatchie Educational Center, and the many year-round opportunities available to your group, church or organization, please visit oswegatchie.org or contact: Todd Lighthall, Executive Director, NY FFA Foundation, Inc., 9340 Long Pond Road, Croghan, NY 13327, (315) 346-1222, tlighthall@oswegatchie.org

-Information provided by Oxford Academy