OSWEGO TOWN – Registration for the popular Senior Camp at Camp Hollis is kicking off this week for the 25th anniversary event. Senior camp, open to area residents 50 years of age and older, will be held September 11 and 12, with an optional overnight.
Camp Hollis, just west of the city of Oswego off Health Camp Road on the shores of majestic Great Lake Ontario, sports 12 small cabins, a large recreation and dining building, a craft cabin, nature trails, and spacious fields.
Ample parking is available.
The county owned and operated camp has hosted camping experiences for decades and this year commemorates the 25th consecutive year for the special senior camping opportunity.
Along with several new programs included for this special anniversary celebration, Jim Farfaglia will be accompanied by Judy Talbot in recounting “How It All Began” 25 years ago and sharing memories made over the years.
Farfaglia served as director of the youth camp (Camp Hollis) until his retirement a few years ago and is now well-known for the many books he has authored including the “Blizzard of 66” and “Pioneers: The Story of Oswego County”s Search and Rescue Team.”
He is currently working on a book all about the century-long connections of the people in our area with Fulton’s “chocolate works.”
Other programs include Dawn LaFlamm describing how she started a library in a tiny village in the country of Ghana; Rebecca Raymond, reading from her “Chapter Books” and sharing insights for one to record their own childhood adventures; Aaron and Claudia Kampala, serenading us with their lovely duets; and Lois Mirabito with keyboard leading all in a sing-a-long of favorite melodies.
Craft programming will include creation of a watercolor scene, doing so under guidance of Artist Patricia Tanner.
Tanner comes via the Salmon River Fine Arts Center.
Also offered, creating personalized greeting cards, under guidance of Debbie Allen.
Folks can also enjoy the outdoors by sampling ladder golf, walking the nature trails or simply relaxing on a bench or in a chair, or, with a walk along the water’s edge.
Space limitations cap registrants for Senior Camping at 80.
Interested women and men are encouraged to register by September 4 by contacting Fran Wadas at 315-343-2381.
Event packages include the two-day overnight program for $20 with check-in at 8 a.m. Monday and check-out at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
For those that can do Monday only, the tab is $12.50 and includes dinner and evening campfire overlooking the great lake.
For those that attend Tuesday only, $10.
Registration checks made payable to Friends of Camp Hollis should be sent to Wadas at 82 Klocks Corners Road, Oswego, NY 13126.
Print name of each registrant, include with check.
The two-day cost includes both days, meals, programs, crafts, gentle yoga, dance sing-a-long, guided exercises with music and humor, and a campfire that may include ‘fractured fairy tales’ and s’mores.
Bingo and card games complete Monday evening.
Small group overnight cabins include sink, toilet and bed; overnight campers are reminded to bring their own bedding, pillow and towel.
Facilitator Sandy Davis, speaking for the entire planning committee, invites, “Come, meet old and new friends at one of the very few programs of this kind in the country! This incredibly low-cost is possible because of an all-volunteer planning committee. And, almost all presenters donate their time, expertise and talents. A huge plus, also, is that area businesses donate much of the food.”
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It’s great that you could have gone to Camp Hollis as a kid and now as a senior citizen. Although the program seems a bit less active than fifty years ago.