2019 annual report final...

Camp Onas

2019 Annual Report

Friends Camp Associa on of PA, Inc. · 609 Geigel Hill Rd. · O sville, PA 18942 · www.camponas.org

Our Amazing Year When people think of Camp Onas, the first images that come

to mind are usually of our summer camp program, so we will start

there: The 2019 Camp Onas summer was one of the best we can remember.

Our fun‐loving and resilient campers and staff impressed us every step of the way with their spirit, problem‐

solving skills, and the way they cared for one another through an intense heat wave, a caterpillar infestation, and

the inherent adventure of being away from home.

All of the normal, Camp Onas fun we know and love was part of our summer: Performances, sports, nature

activities, theme weekends, community building, song‐singing, Pioneers and Junior Pioneers (overnight camping

trips for children over and under 12, respectively), meals shared family style in our Dining Hall, camp‐wide games

like Capture the Flag and Prisoners’ Base, and more … created a memorable, fun‐filled summer at Camp Onas.

Camp Onas renewed its American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation. ACA Accreditation means that

Camp Onas meets up to 300 standards recognized by the camping industry as best practices in camping and youth

development. ACA standards cover areas such as site and facilities, health and wellness, staff training, program

design and development, organizational management and oversight, and more. Accreditation visits take place

4th Session Camp Photo

Inside:

Our Amazing Year 1‐2

A Note from the Directors 2

Strategic Planning at Onas 3

Capital Campaign Feasibility 3

Dona ons & Camperships 4‐5

The Care We Give and Receive 6

Camper Enrollment Sta s cs 7

Camper Aid Program Growth 8

Financial Snapshot 8

Story Con nues on Page 2.

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Our Amazing Year (con nued from p. 1) every 5 years, with annual off‐site reviews in non‐visit years. Camp Onas has proudly been an ACA accredited camp

since 1991.

65 campers attended Camp Onas with tuition assistance in 2019, marking the biggest season ever for our

longstanding Camper Aid Program. Camper Aid at Onas has increased significantly in the last two years as Camp

Onas has expanded outreach efforts as part of our strategic plan to promote diversity and inclusion. Camp Onas

plans to maintain this level of Camper Aid in coming seasons. The Camper Aid program is supported largely through

donations from Friends, Meetings, Alumni, and Camp Families … Thank you to all who have helped build the

Camper Aid Program at Camp Onas!

Facilities and Maintenance are always part of our yearly plans. This year, the chimneys and fireplaces in the

Dining Hall and Dellview were renovated (Dining Hall) and Replaced (Dellview). Both are similar in appearance

(just a bit newer looking), with the majority of the work done to address unseen but necessary structural updates.

We completed shingle and partial roof replacements on four more of the sleeping pavilions this year, and have one

more year ahead of us in our three‐year plan to redo the roofs on all of the pavilions. This work will prevent leaking

roofs and preserve the longevity of the structures.

We o en hear campers say “Camp Onas is SO much more than just a camp!”

We agree. Camp Onas is a physical place, but it is also a feeling, a spirit, and a

mindset.

It can be the li le voice that reminds us our words and ac ons ma er; the

one that pushes us to extend compassion and pa ence even if we are feeling

short; or encourages us to try something difficult because we might succeed

(and we will definitely learn something).

Over the last year, we’ve been thinking a lot about the broader Camp Onas community: The people who carry that

li le voice with them, and promote the spirit of Camp Onas wherever they are. And, we are working to stay be er

connected.

As we look ahead at 2020 and reflect on the thousands of people who are part of the Camp Onas community, some of

the work we are most excited about includes finding ways to celebrate and connect with our extended community.

Thank you for being a part of Camp Onas, and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead!

A Note from the Directors

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This year, Camp Onas hired an independent

consul ng firm, Edward F. Swenson and

Associates, to conduct a feasibility study for a

poten al capital campaign.

The study was designed to explore Camp’s ability

to launch a campaign that would support

ini a ves including renova ons to Onas facili es,

building long‐term support for the Camper Aid

program, and/or deepening and expanding our

connec on to our extended community,

especially alumni and Quaker mee ngs.

Swenson and Associates conducted interviews

with about 45 people connected to Camp in

different ways, such as campers, parents, staff,

alumni, Quakers, and neighbors. These

interviews will help them understand how a

campaign would align with our community’s

expecta ons and priori es for Camp Onas.

The study included an in‐depth look at Camp’s

opera ons, finances, and strategic planning to

assess the organiza on’s ability to mount a

campaign, and how a campaign would support

the long‐term stability of Camp Onas.

The board is reviewing the report findings, which

will inform the next Camp Onas Strategic Plan,

and help the board determine whether Onas will

launch a campaign and what ini a ves a

campaign would support.

Strategic Planning at Camp Onas Organizational development at Camp Onas is guided by strategic

planning by our Board of Directors and staff .

Camp Onas strategic plans generally span a 5‐year period and

include goals that advance our mission, strengthen the organization,

and elevate the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity,

community, equality, and stewardship at Camp Onas.

Our strategic planning generally seeks to preserve all that is great

about Camp Onas while also planning for the future and

finding opportunities for improvement.

The current strategic plan (2016‐2020) has informed Camp’s recent

work around increasing and celebrating diversity and inclusion,

improving facility maintenance, planning for major repairs,

deepening our connection with our community (especially Onas

alumni and the Quaker community), and institutional

governance work designed to help our Board of Directors lead

Camp Onas with unified purpose, vision, and intention.

The board began work on the next strategic plan at its retreat in

October. The strategic planning process will continue through 2020,

and we look forward to sharing the new strategic plan next year.

Members of the Camp Onas Board of Directors, joined by Holly and Ma , at the

October 2019 Board Retreat

Capital Campaign Feasibility Study

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A Special Thank You to Those Not Listed

Camp Onas had its biggest fundraising year ever,

and this would not be the case without the help of

many individuals not listed on these pages.

“Three Big Ones” for the many volunteers and

advocates who helped spread the word, asked

others for donations on Camp’s behalf, and

volunteered time to help Camp Onas this year.

We don’t have a list of everyone who helped out,

but we want to say loudly and proudly: You made

a difference, and your effort is appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who gave time, energy,

know‐how, and love to strengthen Camp Onas

this year! We would not have had such a terrific year without your help!

Playing Prisoners’ Base at Sunset

Thank you for your donaChantel Adams Sapna Advani and Runit Chhaya Julia Albores and Ken Falk Anna Allanbrook Ruth Allanbrook and Lizzie Busch Amanda Amarotico Amazon Smile Betty Jane and John Ament Anderson Groom Family Anonymous (34) Candy and Kamran Ansari Jin Auh and Thomas Platoni Ulrike and Iwan Barankay Becky Cima Bardosy Greg Barton Nina Basu and James Howard Betsy and Armand Bayardi Sara, Adam, Jackson, and Oliver Faye Bender and James Kappler Jared Berenholz Lila Berenholz Sasha and Jonathan Best Crystal Bianchi Ken Blackwell Gail Bober and Jeffrey Bakely Jayne Boccuzzi Melissa Bond Patricia and Daniel Braun Jill Braunstein and Brad Kuebler Laura Brennan Ira Brickman and Jamie Press Colin and Lori Brown Sydney Brown Bucks Quarterly Meeting Trevor Bunyan Kri and Paul Burkander Holly Caldwell and Darren Nickerson Kelly Callon‐McLean and Patrick McLean Heather Calvert and Matthew Gauntt Barbara Cary Christopher Cary Cassidy Family Andrea Caumont and Justin Rude Donna and Jeffrey Cave Most Wonderful Book Club Charity on Top Dorian Christensen Cecilia Clarke and John Born Peter and Eden Bosniak Julie Cohen and Mark Sidorczuk Liz Cohen Kirsten Cole and David Frackman Peter Cole and Kikki Short Ben Colebrook Nancy and David Comley Barbara Ruth and Chris Cook Hannah Cooley Dr. Dennis and Ms. Jonell Copeland Gracie Coscia‐Collins and Eli Collins Sharon Cotter and John Cotter Dan and Betsy Crofts Crofts Family Fund Gina Vogel Culbert Jim and Jen Curran Lisa and Peter Daniel Jeanine Dankoff

Susan and Larry DeLone Kennedy Bobby DeStefano Cooper DeStefano John DeVincentis Paddie Donohue Beth and Kevin Dougherty Tim Dubnau and Amy Fix Gina Duclayan and Daniel Radosh Aisha Duffett Ashley and Dennis Dunegan Harris Eckstut Anna Edling Eddy Ehrlich Francis Englert Caleb and Kate Cestar Epstein Ivana Espinet and Bryce Taylor Whitney Estrin Wally and Jane Evans Fallsington Friends Meeting Dr. Karen Feisullin and Dr. Stephen Chrzanowski Fidelity Charitable Bryan Fisher Jessie and Matt Fleischer‐Black Kelle Fox Kristi and Phil Frank Liz Fredette Chris French Nataya Friedan Coco Fusco Edward and Lisa George Sheila Gibbons and Conor McNamara Fern Glazer Ariana Goldstein Naomi Goldstein and Josh Sevin Liz and Lee Gould Sue and David Gould David Greenberg Jeremy Greenwald Paulette Greenwell and Scott Measley Johanna Peters‐Burton Greeson Debra and John Gulea Maike Haehle and Boris Simkovich Bill Hallowell Jennifer Hamer‐Maansson Maria and Kevin Handy Nina Harrod Jason Harvey and Francesca Richer Laurie Hay Monica Moran and Dan Hecht Holly and Matt Hecht Janet and Edward Hecht Isabelle Helmich Hess Family Holly and Rich Hoffmann Priscilla Holberton and Ronald Alt Robert Holt and Anne Irwin Jennifer and Jeff Horn Scott and Susan Hoskins Hanna Howe The Huggett Family Thomas Robert Huggett Kelly and James Huggins Cally Iden Al Indig Carolyn Ingram and Caleb Schodt Evelyn Intondi Katharine James and Derek Lomer Dan Janzen Catherine Jhung and Sean Hickey

Preston Johnson and Megan Elias Omar Karim and Manavi Menon Katy and Fred Karkowski Julie and Marshall Kasten Sherry and Carol Kassel Matthew and Autumn Katz Becca K Joanne Katzen‐Jones Jonah Kauffman‐Epstein Ellen F. Kelley Chris and Cathy Kerr Hannah K. Kiernan James Patrick Kiernan Jee Mee Kim and Peter Diaz Stephanie Kindt and Terry Henry King Family Laura and Geoff Kinnel Monica Kipiniak Patricia and Daniel Kipnis Tania Kirkman and David Kreger Cleo Knight Jean and Simon Knight Patricia and Richard Kroth Steve and Becky Kunkel Alison Kurtz Valarie LaMour and Micheal Cornell Russell and Kimberly Lande Jane Landy‐Reyes and Ramon Reyes Matt Lane and Angela Dimaria Julie and John Lang Juliet Larkin‐Gilmore Scott R. Laughlin Eva C. Lazaar Dr. Monica Linden and Mr. TrevorClement Lenel Scholarship Fund Alexa Linton Erica and Henry Loustau Anna MacCormack and David Rody Eliza Macneal Makefield Monthly Meeting Thalia and Rajpal Malik Tara Mani and Mark Chapman Dawn Manley Katherine Martin and Baldur Gudbjornsson Gale Mayron and Seth King Eli Edmonds Hannah and Pete Mazzaccaro Paul McAndrew and Ann SheridanSunshine McBride Kate McCormick Mike McFarland Cory McMillen Jennifer Melendez and Eva Suarez Julie and Jed Meyer Pringl Miller, MD, FACS Amy and Matthieu Mingasson Melissa Moreno Hal Morra Addie and Abe Moskowitz Mary Beth Moss and Tim McElreath Mr. D's Tees Christina Muth and Timothy MuthAnna Neiger Russ and Jane Neiger Steven and Sharon Neiger Ada and Elsa Nelken Margaret Nelson Newtown Monthly Meeting

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ons! 2019 Dona ons to Camp Onas (January 1 through December 31, 2019)

Funding Sources

Donations were directed to:

74% Camper Aid Fund The Camper Aid Fund is used exclusively to provide tuition

assistance for children to attend Camp Onas. 100% of

Camper Aid Fund contributions are used to fund

camperships. In the event excess funds are raised in any

given year, they will be used for camperships the following

season.

25% Annual Fund Contributions to the Annual Fund are unrestricted, and will

be used to help wherever they are needed most. Annual

Fund donations help to cover operating expenses such as

utilities, program supplies, staff training, and more.

1% Neiger Gould Camper Fund The Neiger Gould Fund functions similarly to an

endowment, providing steady, long‐term support for

camperships and special projects that directly benefit

campers through investment and interest income. This year,

$4,000 helped fund camperships. At the end of the year, the

fund stood at $122,879.

r

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Michelle Noris and Josh Weitzman Laura and Rene Nuss‐Caneda Daniel O'Brien and Audrey McFadden Tom Olson Noel O'Neill Caryn Prairie Outten Denise Pagano and Giuseppe Pagano Nina and Charles Panzer Cathlene and George Parker John and Kathleen Parry Paster Family David Pechter Karla Perlman Amy Pethick and Eric Graves Nick Pettegrew Jim and Paula Pettyjohn Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Emily and Seth Phillips George and Nancy Pickering Pisano and Sackley Family Mia Pisano Friends and Colleagues of Jessica Pisano Plumstead Monthly Meeting Anne Pomerantz and Eric Cohen Margaret and Matt Popowsky Roland Pott Jeanne Pratt Faye Premer and Bill Edwards Carol and Tim Purcell Quakertown Monthly Meeting Margaret Queripel‐Gilmore Jared Andrew and Carolyn Rivas Karen Robinson and Lowell Cloete Kevin Roche Erica Romitelli Kate and Dustin Ross Birgitta and David Rubin Eddie and Terry Ruhl Andrea Rush RWT Production Michael Ryan Charles Sanders Liza Sankar‐Gorton Anna and Jon Sappington Caleb Savage Holden‐Schall Family Nancy Schall Patricia and Marc Scheffel Zeb Schobernd Shannan and Reid Schuster Sara Schwartz SCOPE Noelani and Mary Scotton Tyler Seale Shayna and Howard Sebold Remy Shaber and Kevin Zaragoza Gabby Shaw Veena Siddharth and Seth Kleinman Jeanette Silverthorne and Erik Rieselbach Erin Sircy and Stephen Starbuck Diane and Ray Sizer Joshua Skaroff and Laura Frangiosa Marybeth Snyder Solebury Friends Meeting Cheryl Sommer Geoffrey Sorbello

Melody and Cedric Southerland Jen Sparks and Mark Woodford Beth and Len Stark Emma Starr Sarah Stein Greenberg Donald Stewart Mackenzie Stroh and Christopher Dixon Kathleen Sullivan Bethany Surgan Doria Sutton Beth Taylor Elizabeth Taylor Phyllis and Richard Taylor Erin and Daniel Torday The Trachtman Family Saori Tsujimoto and Josh Adams Robin and Ben Versh Christoph and Tara von Andreae Jess Walcott and Gene Sonn Alexander Waldman and Kristen Pail Kristin Wallace and Thomas Ferrie Max Walrath Morgan and Nathan Ward Meagan and Tony Watkins Caroline Weaver Melissa Weiler Gerber Wellhofer Family Kate Wellhofer Catherine and Brian Welsh Chris Welsh Hannah Welsh Carol Wengert and Bill Dockhorn Catherine Wetmore Mary Ann Williams Kimberly Wilsey Tristan Wilson Rebekah Wineburg Linda Winokur Carrie Wright and Kevin Wright Wrightstown Monthly Meeting Sarah and Thomas Wyatt Benjamin Yang Yardley Friends Meeting Alyssa Marie Young

In Memory Friends and loved ones made dona ons in memory of the following individuals:

Linda Greenwald

Robert Happ

Holly Olson

Businesses, foundations, and Quaker Meetings are shown in bold type.

DONATE

https://camponas.z2systems.com/donation.jsp?campaign=30&

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The Care We Give and Receive By Dexter Coen Gilbert

Dex was a camper and counselor at Camp Onas and served as the

Head of the B‐Side in 2019.

As I stepped into my first summer working at

Camp, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I didn’t know

what to expect as I returned to a community I loved but with

an entirely different perspective and role. Looking back, I’m

a bit shocked that I was even hired, a short little kid that just

finished eighth grade, placed into a role where I was giving

care instead of receiving it.

That is, however, where I was mistaken. Sure, I was a

helping hand in Cuttalosa and the kitchen, but I was still on

the receiving end of so much attention and care from

those around me. In the way that I was one of the people responsible for taking care of campers, the older

staff members were responsible for taking care of me. When my supervisor spotted me outside of the fold with my

fellow camp aides, he brought me back in. When I was unsure of how to handle camper situations, my co‐counselors

were there to lend their expertise. When I felt reluctant to come back to Camp after my CIT summer, it was two older

staff members who, in the shade of Unami during Rest Hour, persuaded me to give Junior Counselor year a try.

I listened to those staff members’ advice and found myself years later ending my Camp career sleeping in the same

spot in Unami where we had that very conversation. What I learned in my summer as Head of the B‐Side was that

despite being in a role where I was responsible for taking care of many campers and staff members, I was not

shouldering that burden alone. Even while I was trying to guide younger staff members and campers, the

other people I was working with were making sure I was alright, noticing when I was struggling, and offering me

unwavering support.

As I think about my first and subsequent summers at Camp, I realize that the transition from receiving to giving

care was never abrupt and it truly never ended. Camp is defined by a community of people who care deeply about and

for one another, giving us ample role models from whom we can learn, a strong support network, and

friends for life. As I step into the next step of my life, I feel nervous about the future in the same way I did during my

first summer on staff. However, I am confident knowing that I can work to re‐create the sense of community I felt at

Camp, one that is built on the way we continuously care for one another and help each other become the best versions

of ourselves.

Dex at the entrance to Worthington State Forest on one of his

many Pioneers.

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“At Onas, I learned what it means to be a

responsible and caring community member, I

learned how to ask for help when I needed it, and

grew comfortable being myself and encouraging

others to do the same. These are lessons I am

thankful to carry with me every day.”

‐Note from a former camper and counselor

43 Camp Aides & CITs

16 Junior Counselors

23 Counselors/Senior Counselors

9 Senior Staff

9 Adult Summer Staff

(+5 year‐round staff)

22 campers came for one

week

360 campers came for two

weeks

96 campers came for one

month

Camper Sta s cs 2019 2018 2017

Total enrollment (Camper

Spaces) 574 580 581

% full* 98% 99% 99%

*% full is based off of 588 spots

(560 2‐week and 28 1‐week). In

2019, the 1‐week sessions for 7 &

8 year olds did not fill.

Number of campers

(Individuals) 478 483 469

B‐Side Campers 246 244 238

G‐Side Campers 232 239 231

One week campers 22 28 27



One session campers (2

weeks) 360 358 330



Two session campers (4

weeks) 96 97 112



First‐Time Campers 144 185 143

% of campers a ending for

first me 30% 38% 30%

Returning campers from

‘18 334 295 326

% of eligible campers re‐

turned 82% 81% 86%

% B‐Side Campers 81% 81% 82%

% G‐Side Campers 83% 82% 90%

% eligible Friends 83% 81% 92%

Number of Campers re‐

ceiving Financial Aid 65 64 42

% of campers receiving

financial aid 13% 13% 9%

Number of Quakers

(Members & A enders) 62 69 79

% Quakers 13% 14% 17%

Gradua ng Campers 97 89 99

# of Friends Gradua ng 16 17 15

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Contact Us:

Camp Onas

609 Geigel Hill Rd.

O sville, PA 18942

(610) 847‐5858

www.camponas.org

[email protected]

Staff:

Holly Mueller Hecht

Execu ve Director &

Camp Director

Holly(at)camponas.org

Ma hew Hecht, RN

Opera ons Director &

Camp Director

Ma (at)camponas.org

Joshua Laker

Assistant Director

Josh(at)camponas.org

Lisa Daniel

Office Manager

Lisa(at)camponas.org

Finances at a Glance We are commi ed to careful stewardship of our resources. Our goal is to balance the requirements of opera ng and maintaining Camp

Onas with the needs of our program, and poten al needs of the future, so the greatest part of expenditures goes to providing quality

programs at a price families can afford.

Revenue‐$955,169 Expenditures‐$942,388

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

Growth in the Camper Aid Program The Camper Aid Program at Camp Onas has grown significantly in the last several years.

In 2018, we had more available spaces for new campers than we usually have, due to large groups of “graduate” campers aging out of our program the previous two years.

We saw this as an opportunity to reach out beyond our usual word‐of‐mouth network. We made an effort to draw new campers from communi es where we didn’t already have strong representa on, and many of these new campers required financial aid.

Because of this, the Camper Aid Program grew significantly in 2018, and again in 2019 as many 2018 campers returned, and recommended Camp Onas to friends from home.

We believe this is great for Camp Onas, our extended community, our staff and campers, and our future; and we are proud of, and thankful for, the support our community of alumni, families, donors, and friends has shown for this ini a ve.

Camp Onas is commi ed to increasing and celebra ng diversity of all kinds. Reaching out to new families and removing financial barriers are important parts of our mul ‐faceted work to achieve this goal.

2019 Theme Weekends: Super Mario,

Spiderman, Scooby Doo, Megamind

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2019 annual report final...

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