-
The Lion’s RoaR Fall 2018
Dear friends,
Camp O-AT-KA’s 113th season is in the books, and with last
season being described as an “upward trend,” the word for summer
2018 was definitely “momentum”.
On a single day in late June, O-AT-KA was the focus of an
evening feature on NewsCenter Maine, campers and staff were
interviewed to help launch our largest capital campaign to-date,
and we received a copy of the American Camp Association national
magazine … with O-AT-KA as the cover photo! The buzz started early
and lasted throughout the summer.
Enrollment was up both in terms of number of campers and number
of camper weeks. We recognized our largest class of seven-weekers
in ten years at the final awards ceremony, and fifteen boys
received their five-year jackets. Seven boys were inducted into the
new half-year club (26 total weeks as a camper) and one (Wyatt
Carlson) was inducted into the three-quarters club (39 weeks).
The program continued to shine thanks to the careful planning
and creative talents of our veteran leadership team,
and the energy and dedication of our cabin staff. Campers
reported excellent experiences in their crafts and in their
activities, with very positive overall rankings on surveys
administered throughout the season. Program highlights this year
included: Ethan Jacunski and Ethan Aspiras taking first and third
place in the camper division of the 4-on-the-4th road race in
Bridgton, staff member Dan Allara winning Casco Days, archers
taking 2nd place overall at the New England Summer Camp Archery
Championship, swimmers winning the Micah swim meet, seven boys
attending JMG test camp, over 70 campers attending wilderness trips
throughout Maine and New Hampshire, and 300 chevrons being awarded.
Riflery returned to its usual place as the top-enrolled craft this
year. The most-popular non-craft activity was Bob Courtney’s
first-session fireworks show, which was so well-received that we
had an encore during Friends Weekend!
The best example of the contagious enthusiasm at camp this
summer came on two special theme days, planned by cabin staff, when
O-AT-KA gave popular holidays a summer spin. In the first
session, Halloween arrived in Sebago, complete with
trick-or-treating, costume contests, spooky stories around the
campfire, and a haunted Bungalow. In August, Santa paid camp a
visit, and we decorated cookies, gave gifts, and went caroling. The
atmosphere was electric, and fun was most definitely had by
all!
Overall it was an outstanding season, and if you’re anything
like me you’re already thinking about summer 2019! We do hope that
you will be able to join us. We also hope that you can help us
spread the word about O-AT-KA so that as many boys as possible can
experience this transformative place. After this summer’s momentum,
we’re no longer a “best kept secret,” and the best is yet to come.
I can’t wait!
Message from the Summer Director, Charles Donovan October
2018
Charles celebrated his 18th year at O-AT-KA this summer.
-
Candlelight Password by King William French
Congratulations to our newly elected Corporation Members:
Sitting in the still candlelight of the Chapel on August 10th,
King William opened his password with a personal story of how he
found it hard to settle into his first year at college and having
to deal with some tough situations. He used his personal stories to
illustrate how he thought the biggest secret we keep from each
other is that we all have hard times in our lives. He described in
vivid detail how O-AT-KA built him up over the past eight years;
and how his camp experience taught him to be more open, loving, and
reflective. He shared with the community that the qualities camp
instills in us can help us get through the tough times in our lives
and also set us up to help others when they are going through tough
times. King William spoke about how it is important to take the
lessons that camp teaches
with you when you leave and hold onto the person that camp makes
you. After each summer you will be able to hold onto a little bit
more of the magic that camp kindles in all of us. He finished his
password by proposing that if we all take camp lessons with us out
into the world, who knows how much good we could do. His message
was clear, eloquent, thoughtful and impactful. His message
resonated with campers young and old, staff members, alumni,
parents and visitors. His message is what being a King is all
about.
While we would like to reprint King William’s exact words he
spoke on that beautiful evening, we can’t. Why? Because this
beautiful message was
from the heart. King William didn’t write his password down. He
spoke the words that came to him in the moment, spoke to his
community, and truly spoke from the heart. The password for
Candlelight 2018 was and shall always be “The Light on Lake
Sebago.”
Tim KeelerWyomissing, PA
Attended O-AT-KA from 1986-1997
Son Finn was a second-year camper in 2018
Michael ShaubPort Washington, NY
Attended O-AT-KA from 1976-1979
Sons Gavin and Bryson were fifth-year campers in 2018
Chester (Terry) GravesSandwich, MA
Attended O-AT-KA from 1950-1957
Son Stephen was camper from 1984-1988
Grandson Nathan was a third-year camper in 2018
-
O-AT-KA staff helping out our sister camp!
After a summer of being a junior unit counselor and volunteering
for Dennen Week, O-AT-KA staff member Travis Kimball brought his
outdoor skills to teach camp craft at the annual Fleur de Lis
Circle Week. This week at Fleur is a free week for girls that have
experienced the loss of a parent. Similar to Dennen Week at
O-AT-KA, the camp relies heavily on volunteers to provide this
amazing experience. This opportunity came about when Travis was
speaking with Fleur leaders over the summer and found out they did
not have someone to teach outdoor skills. He eagerly agreed to help
out and we heard from 2 Fleur board members (who are also O-AT-KA
moms!) how much value and joy he added to the program. Thanks
Travis!
Congratulations to our newly inducted Heroes! Ron and Susan Hall
receiving their award with John Chapman, Vice President - Board of
Directors
O-AT-KA’s strength comes from it’s loyal and dedicated
community. Camp’s success is because of YOU. We are asking you to
pledge your commitment to O-AT-KA with an annual gift. Whether this
is your first gift to camp or you are renewing your support, now is
the perfect time as gifts will be put to immediate use to help get
ready for Summer 2019. Please consider supporting camp with a gift
that is a true testament of your dedication to O-AT-KA.
Ways to give:
Online: www.campoatka.org/alumni/giving-opportunities
Phone: 207-787-3401
E-mail: [email protected]
Mail: Camp O-AT-KA, PO Box 239, Sebago, ME 04084
Watch for info on Giving Tuesday - November 27!
Saturday, November 17, 2018 Hilton Boston/Woburn Forbes Road,
Woburn, MA
6:00pm Cocktails (cash bar) and silent auction
7:00pm Dinner and presentations
$100 per person $750 for a reserved table of 8
(All proceeds benefit the Dennen Program & summer
camperships).
Please kindly RSVP by November 12 by calling us at 207-787-3401
or by visiting: www.campoatka.org/greenandgrey.
If you are unable to attend but wish to make a gift, please
visit www.campoatka.org.
Show O-AT-KA Love With An Annual Gift
2018 O-AT-KA Heroes - Ron & Susan Hall
Mark Your Calendar Green & Grey
-
Congratulations to this year’s 5-Year Jacket recipients.
We’re Hiring!
We were so pleased to be able to hand out so many this year. Way
to go boys!First Session
Zeno MarquisIan GoodCharlie DawsonEthan AspirasHugo MarquisKahil
MullaGeorge KleinAuden Oliver-YeagerBrendan StreyMichael BondLuis
Garcia SierraPeter RodgersSecond Session
Nicky HarrisLogan AlagnaLeland HoweWill Connolly
Summer 2019 will bring multiple staff opportunities at camp.
Besides counselors, we will be seeking a Middle Unit Head. After 17
wonderful years (9 as a staff member!), Carter Milliken will be
pursuing new endeavors. We are thankful for all the hard work and
dedication he has brought to O-AT-KA and he will remain part of the
camp family. Please join us in wishing him well and if you or
someone you know might be a good fit for this position, we want to
hear from you! E-mail inquiries can be sent to
[email protected].
Back Row (L-R): Luis Garcia Sierra, Brendan Strey, Michael Bond,
Auden Oliver-Yeager, George Klein; Front Row (L-R): Kahil Mulla,
Ian Good, Ethan Aspiras, Zeno Marquis, Hugo Marquis, Charlie
Dawson. Not pictured: Peter Rodgers, Nicky Harris, Logan Alagna,
Leland Howe, Will Connolly
Help us Recruit!Help us Recruit! - One of the greatest ways to
support camp is by helping us recruit new families to join our
O-AT-KA family… Refer a camper, become a Camp Ambassador, host a
gathering! We will be reaching out to our networks in the fall. If
you are interested in helping us with this important initiative,
please e-mail Annie Bowe at [email protected] or call us at (207)
787-3401.
Check out our new recruiting video on our homepage:
www.campoatka.org
-
Summer 2018 Highlights
-
Congratulations to our 2018 1st Session Award Winners
Achievements of Special RecognitionSeven-Week Campers
Half-Year Club Inductees Three-Quarters Club
Basketball
Junior: Desmond Francis
Middler: Warren Bennett
Senior: Garrett Jacunski
Baseball
Junior: Desmond Francis
Middler: Bryson Shaub Thompson Award
Senior: Gavin Shaub Bennett Award
Soccer
Junior: Jonny Thomas
Middler: Hugo Marquis
Senior: Jasper Bennett
Archery
Junior: Desmond Francis
Middler: Bryson Shaub
Senior: Campbell Abelow
Riflery
Junior: Teddy Spencer
Middler: Charlie Dawson
Senior: Kahil Mulla Babcock Award
Tennis
Junior: Nate Plati
Middler: Hugo Marquis
Senior: Ignacio Huarte Babcock Award
Ultimate
Conrad Bennett
Track
Ethan Aspiras
Sailing
Ignacio Huarte
Swimming
Conrad Bennett Goddard Award
Photo
Henry Scarborough
Stained Glass
Ian Good Fox Award
Arts Medal
Ethan Aspiras Goff Award
Trips Medal
Koldo Sanchez
O-AT-KA Day High Point Man
Junior Jonny Thomas
Middler Charlie Dawson
Senior Zeno Marquis
O-AT-KA Day High Point Cabin
Junior Oxford
Middler Tintagel
Senior Avalon
Ethan Aspiras
Liam Bjarke
Marcus Bjarke
Wyatt Carlson
Pat Levesque
Hugo Marquis
Zeno Marquis
Kahil Mulla
Auden Oliver-Yeager
Colin Powlett
Koldo Sanchez
Ethan Aspiras
Liam Bjarke
Chris Haworth
George Miller
Kahil Mulla
Auden Oliver-Yeager
Henry Scarborough
Wyatt Carlson
-
Congratulations to our 2018 2nd Session Award Winners
Basketball
Junior: Jack Romano
Middler: Blake DaCosta
Senior: Ben Adey
Baseball
Junior: Luke Schoenbaum
Middler: Teudi Dume Thompson Award
Senior: Holden Daggett Bennett Award
Soccer
Junior: Adrian Mazurenko
Middler: Nicky Harris
Senior: Wyatt Carlson
Archery
Junior: Adrian Mazurenko
Middler: Jeff Adey
Senior: Eli Read
Riflery
Junior: Garrett Stevens
Middler: Koldo Sanchez
Senior: Tanner Esty Babcock Award
Tennis
Junior: Adrian Mazurenko
Middler: Koldo Sanchez
Senior: Holden Daggett
Ultimate
Tucker Esty
Track
Zeno Marquis
Sailing
Adrian Mazurenko
Lacrosse
AJ Tabaka
Swimming Form
Marcus Bjarke Goddard Award
Most Improved Swimming
JJ Perello McMullin Award
Photo
Will Connolly
Stained Glass
Ethan Aspiras Fox Award
Arts Medal
Jay Oliver Schwartz Goff Award
Trips Medal
Polo Brice
Trips Book
Pat Levesque
O-AT-KA Day High Point Man
Junior Tommy Weber
Middler Nathan Graves Marcus Bjarke
Senior Auden Oliver-Yeager
O-AT-KA Day High Point Cabin
Junior Kenilworth
Middler Harwick
Senior Harlech
-
Camp O-AT-KA593 Sebago RoadPO Box 239Sebago, ME 04029
NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage
PAIDPortland, Maine Permit No. 436
Follow & Like us on:
Facebook @Camp O-AT-KA, boys summer camp
Twitter @oatka1906
Instagram @campoatka
October 15 CIT Applications due
October 27 Meet & Greet at Kings in Burlington, MA
November 1 Open enrollment for new campers begins
November 4 Southern Maine Meet & Greet at Gorham Sports
Center
November 17 Green & Grey in Woburn, MA
November 27 Giving Tuesday
May 17 - 19 Spring Work Weekend
June 23 Opening Day
July 6 Visiting Day
July 2 Second Session Opening Day
August 3 Visiting Day
August 9 Candlelight
August 10 Closing Day
August 11 - 17 Dennen Week
August 30 - Sept 2 Family & Friends Weekend
Stay Connected 2018/2019 Dates to Remember
