Our Wonderful Summer

1-2

From The Directors 1

The Neiger Gould Camper Fund

2

Operations & Improvements

3

Outside My Comfort Zone

3,5

Off-Season Group Use

3

A Note from Sue 4 Camper Enrollment Statistics

4

Quaker Camper Sta-tistics

5

Fundraising & Camperships

6

Finances 6

Inside this report

Holly Mueller Hecht Executive Director/ Camp Director

Matthew Hecht Camp Director

Contributors: Joshua Laker, Assistant Director; Sue Neiger Gould, Former Director; Leah Bakely & Caleb Savage, Directors’ Assistants; Sabrina Brier, Senior Counselor

Friends Camp Association of PA, Inc.

Outstanding weather, an experienced staff, and thoughtful and fun-loving campers set the stage for one of the most pleasant, creative, and energetic summers we can remember.

Highlights of our summer included:

The Arts and Crafts program was popular in the cleaned up A&C area (cleaned and painted by a group of counselors in March). Campers enjoyed new activities like temporary murals and blindfolded portraits, while keeping classics like basket weaving, recycled sculptures, tie dye, crochet, and more.

Performances! Lots of performances — the Onas Band (with a new drum set!), tent lip sync, dance shows, Onas Night

Our Wonderful Summer

Live, Shakespeare interpretations … and more — Campers performed, and were entertained by one another several times each session. These shows are always fun and help reinforce the community feeling at Onas.

In our Adventure Program, the new high ropes element, the Horizontal Ladder was a hit — but the one we installed last summer, the Vertical Playpen, remains the crowd favorite. We had a High Ropes Day one session this summer, when every camper had the chance to do the high and low ropes elements. We hope to have more High Ropes Days in the future, in other sessions.

Our Woodworking Director focused on projects kids would be able to complete

(Story continues on page 2)

From the Directors Thank you for being a part of our wonderful year!

A recurring theme in our conversations with staff this year was how a session at Onas can provide kids with the opportunity for not only a boatload of fun, but also the chance to push past their comfort zone, and learn that they are more capable and re-silient than they might think.

One of the best parts of being Directors at Camp Onas is having the privilege of seeing something few adults witness: Campers feeling at ease, being themselves, and testing their personal limits in a place they know exists just for them.

From embracing the physical challenge of the 4-day Pioneer or the High Ropes Course … to risking it all on the Onas stage … to making a decision without a parent by their side … trying a new food in the dining hall …. or finding a way to sing and laugh through a storm … we see Onas campers embrace discomfort and adversity, push through it, and come out smiling each and every day of the summer.

It’s an incredible, almost magical, thing to see in action. We are thrilled to be a part of creating this experience for Camp Onas campers, and we hope you take pride in your role supporting this work, too. Thank you!

Camp Onas Annual Report

October, 2013 to September, 2014

and perseverance — they were proud of themselves too.

Plenty of fun Camp Onas Classics graced the daily schedule as well … activities like Leprechaun Houses, Prisoners Base, Sock Wrestling, Mud Sliding, and our much-loved Theme Weekends were all part of our wonderful summer.

In the Onas Kitchen, two senior counselors at a time rotated working as cooks, assisting our experienced cooking staff. They were tasked with incorporating more home-made items into our menu: making items in-house that otherwise would have been purchased ready-to-eat, and finding creative ways to prepare the produce from our garden. We enjoyed more innovative and tasty vegetarian options, home-made hummus, and baked goods. Campers and staff alike enjoyed their efforts.

Our Maintenance staff completed a lot of projects this summer — they built an electric fence around the compost pile, painted trim and replaced the screens in the Dining Hall, among other projects. We streamlined the number of cleaning products used for routine maintenance. (We are down to four products). Thanks to all this work, camp looked better at the end of the summer than at the start!

successfully and creatively by focusing on activities designed for specific age groups. From graduates making wood signs labeling the buildings and paths around camp, to campers of all ages sanding, decorating, and carving their own walking sticks, to younger campers making wands for Harry Potter Theme Weekend, we saw more campers working with wood this year than in past summers.

Our Nature Director brought a lot of energy and love to our Nature Program, pushing the program beyond caring for our three donkeys, and incorporating hikes, critter catching, habitat building, and just finding opportunities for kids to get out and enjoy our natural world.

The Pioneers completed their trip every session, in spite of rain, storms, and even cold temperatures. We were proud of them, and impressed by their stamina

The name of the Russ and Jane Neiger Camper Fund has been changed to the Neiger Gould Camper Fund in honor of Sue Neiger Gould, who lead Camp Onas from 1993-2012.

We launched a special campaign to raise $5,000 in honor of Sue by the end of May, 2015. In the months ahead, we will be asking friends of Camp Onas to make a special contribution in Sue’s honor to help us reach our goal. We will mark the successful close of the campaign with a special celebration in Fall 2015.

The Neiger Gould Camper Fund was originally started in honor of Russ and Jane Neiger, who directed Camp Onas from 1969-2000. It is a fund that provides long-term support to Camp Onas and its campers. Donations to the Neiger Gould Camper Fund are kept in a designated account that behaves similar to an endowment. Our goal is to leave the principal untouched from year to year, using investment and interest income to help provide ongoing tuition assistance and fund special projects that directly benefit Camp Onas campers.

To date, the fund has provided thousands of dollars in financial aid, and has helped Camp Onas complete special projects for campers to enjoy, including constructing the stage and expanding the high ropes course.

A Special Campaign for the Neiger Gould Camper Fund

Page 2 Camp Onas Annual Report, 2014

Page 3 Camp Onas Annual Report, 2014

Off-Season Group Use

2014

Group Type & # of groups people served

Schools-9

Friends Schools-3

567

137

Recreation and Retreats-5 189

Faith Based Groups-3

Young Friends Week-long gathering

160

35

Onas Sponsored

Family Camp Weekend

Onas Reunion Weekend

196

130

66

Total groups served-21 1,296

Enrollment was once again full in 2014, all of our school groups and most rental groups returned.

We hired very experienced and mature summer staff, meaning that many smaller tasks were completed efficiently and effectively, allowing us to turn our attention toward two major projects.

Last April, we installed our second utility-pole based high ropes element, the Horizontal Ladder, which towers about 30 feet in the air, presenting a mental and physical challenge unrivaled in our other elements.

And, this fall we undertook major renovations to the Camp Onas pool. While the shape of the pool and the diving boards remain the same, just about every other part of the pool has been updated.

Operations & Improvements

The renovated pool, nearly completed.

The work included water-blasting the pool down to the original concrete, plastering the pool, replacing the coping and tile, replacing the deck, redoing the filter and pump system, and replacing the pipes running from the pump-house to the pool.

Most of the expense for the renovation was financed through a 5-year loan, with help from the Neiger Gould Camper Fund and the Annual Fund.

We cannot wait to see campers enjoying the restored pool this summer!

I was not what you might call an “outdoorsy” child. My favorite activities included scripts, costumes, and video cameras, rather than soccer cleats and fresh air. These activities cultivated a foundation of creativity that remains intrinsic to my character today. But my lack of interest in sports, physical exercise, and most outdoor endeavors deprived me of other important skills. I was at home within my imagination, but afraid to push myself beyond my comfort zone and into a place of physical challenge and endurance. My greatest fears? Sweat… and bugs. And then I went to summer camp.

In 6th grade, I made the uninformed decision to attend Camp Onas. My imagination ran wild with images of Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap: friends, crafts, comradery, and cheery song-singing. These aspects that I had pictured were certainly present (and even more exciting than I could have possibly expected.) But camp offered other realities as well: nature’s small, crawling

Outside My Comfort Zone Written by Sabrina Brier, 2014 Senior Counselor

(Story continues on page 5)

Page 4 Camp Onas Annual Report, 2014

Camper Enrollment Statistics 2014 2013 2012

Total enrollment

% full

Boys

Girls Based off of 600 spots

(In 2014, 564 2-week, and 36 1-week)

606

101%

294

312

597

99.5%

291

306

589

98%

284

305

Number of campers 489 475 483

Boys

Girls

243

246

246

229

240

243

One week campers

Boys

Girls *In 2014, there were two additional one-

week sessions for girls.

42*

15

27

28

14

14

38

14

24

One session campers

Boys

Girls

334

180

154

325

187

138

340

182

158

Two session campers

Boys

Girls

113

48

65

122

45

77

105

44

61

Returning campers from ‘13

% of eligible campers

Boys

Girls

% of eligible Friends

319

85%

81%

90%

91%

334

84%

82%

86%

87%

308

79%

78%

80%

81%

New campers

New Boys

New Girls

170

86

84*

141

88

53

175

Number of Friends

% Friends

94

19%

85

18%

92

19%

Graduating Campers

# of Friends Graduating

88

13

90

16

98

20

A Note from Sue Neiger Gould Camp Onas is for Kids! For years, that statement appeared on the summer brochure that excited campers waited for so they could sign up for another summer session of Onas. Camp Onas is first and foremost a place that kids can be kids in a safe, nurturing, and, most importantly, fun environment. When the Russ and Jane Neiger Camper Fund was created to honor their many years as Directors, it was to be used for camperships and projects that directly benefited the camper experience. Over the years it has been used to help many campers attend Onas and it helped build the wonderful outdoor stage and adventurous vertical playpen. Now, as the Neiger Gould Camper Fund, it will continue to be used for camperships and this year it will help fund the restoration of Camp’s pool – where so many

Onas campers have learned to swim and spent hot afternoons cooling off and jumping off the diving boards. Russ, Jane, David and I are thrilled that Onas is honoring us by this campaign to raise an additional $5,000 for the Neiger Gould Camper Fund. We thank those who have given and encourage others to join us in supporting this campaign that will help the fund grow so it can continue into the future to give kids the opportunity to be a Camp Onas camper and enjoy all the special magic of Onas.

The Cuttalosa Lemonade Stand—Cost: One Piece

of Trash.

Above: David Gould, Jane Neiger, Sue Neiger Gould, Russ Neiger

Bucks Quarterly Meeting (BQM) Number of Meetings

Represented - 14

Bristol-1 Newtown-9

Buckingham-4 Plumstead-5

Doylestown-4 Quakertown NJ-2

Fallsington-0 Solebury-9

Lehigh Valley-5 Southampton-0

Makefield-0 Wrightstown-2

Middletown-5 Yardley-4

Total number of campers from BQM: 2014-50

2013-40 2012-48 2011-45

Friends Meetings outside of BQM Number of Campers from outside of BQM– 44

Abington-2 Birmingham-1 Brooklyn-1

Centre NC-1 Chestnut Hill-3 Downingtown– 4

Frankford-1 Greene Street-1 Gwynedd-1

Haverford-3 Horsham-2 Kennett Sq.-1

London Grove-2 Media-1 Mid-Tennesseee-1

Moorestown-2 Pittsburgh-2 Plainfield-2

Plymouth Mtg.-2 Princeton-2 Sandy Spring MD-1

Unami-1 West Chester-1 West Grove-2

Westtown-1 Willistown-2 Wilmington-1

Total number of Friends Meetings represented, including Bucks Quarter Meetings:

2014-38 2013-35 2012-32 2011-39

creatures, physically demanding games of Prisoners’ Base, a hot ever-present sun, and a very apparent lack of walls. It became very clear – as well as startling – that I was being pushed far, far beyond my scope of familiarity. As a former performing arts day-camper and an uncommon Connecticut native, I was convinced that I didn’t belong.

Yet, the inclusive spirit of Onas was undeniably captivating. Nine years later and I am still not particularly skilled in running or kicking. But I feel confident and capable as a student, a worker, and a person in ways that I never would have if I hadn’t experienced the encouraging, positive, and judgment-free environment of Camp Onas. I entered camp with the anxiety of an outcast. Now, I am entering my sixth year of being a staff member. I direct “The Dance Show,” in which I work with sporty, nature-inclined, outdoorsy campers, many of whom have never performed on a stage or in front of an audience. I familiarize with the nervous looks on their faces, as well as the excitement and independence that they feel as they try something new without the help of their parents.

At Onas, we pave the way for our campers to learn, participate, and to challenge themselves,

Quaker Campers

Outside My Comfort Zone Written by Sabrina Brier, 2014 Senior Counselor Continued from page 3

Above: Sabrina Brier and Leah Bakely in costume for Incredibles Theme Weekend

because this is the nature of the Onas experience. We are all grateful to have grown up in a community that provided us with the confidence to reach beyond our comfort zones at such a formative time in our lives. The foundation that remains intrinsic to my character today is supported not only by my living room performance debuts, but also by the high ropes courses, night-hikes, and Theme Weekend games of my camper years.

And now, every summer that I return to Camp Onas, I am always most particularly eager to fall asleep to the sounds of nature’s small, crawling creatures in my wall-less home.

Page 5 Camp Onas Annual Report, 2014

2014 Contributions

Thank you! Our donors helped us offer Camper Aid to a

record number of campers, devote resources toward some

much-needed improvements, and pursue our fundraising

goal for the Neiger Gould Camper Fund. Thank you to all

who contributed — your support helps Camp Onas pro-

vide a fun, safe, and inclusive program for kids.

Contributions to Camp Onas in 2014:

Alumni, Board Members, & Friends: $15,538

Camper Families: $8,346

Camp Store Purchases: $3,176

Friends Meetings: $1,235

SCOPE Grant: $1,300

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS: $29,595

The Neiger Gould Camper Fund was not used this year.

The fund is presently valued at nearly $83,000. We will

use a portion of the interest and dividends to help pay for

the 2014-2015 pool renovations.

Camperships

We were again able to help every family who requested

financial assistance this year. Continuing the trend we’ve

seen in recent years, more aid was requested, and more

aid was awarded this year than last.

53 Campers attended Camp Onas with the help of the

Camper Aid Fund.

Range of aid - $100—$1,200

22 campers received $500 or more

31 campers received less than $500

Aid Awarded in 2014

From Camper Aid Fund $16,454

From SCOPE $1,300

From Annual Fund & Other Revenue $8,169

Total Aid Awarded 2013 $25,923

Total Aid Given in 2013—$23,980

Total Aid Given in 2012—$20,500

Total Aid Given in 2011—$19,915

Donations & Camperships

Camp Onas is proud to be an accredited member of the American Camp Association.

Finances at a Glance We are committed to careful stewardship of our resources. Our goal is to balance the requirements of operating and

maintaining our camp with the needs of our program so the greater part of expenditures goes to providing a quality

program at a price families can afford.

Page 6 Camp Onas Annual Report, 2014