Why Oswegatchie?
The Oswegatchie Educational Center in Croghan, New York is nestled on 1200 acres of wooded land within the Adirondack Park. Oswegatchie is owned and operated by the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation, Inc. The center operates as a youth camp during the summer months and is open throughout the year as an educational and recreational retreat center.
Our Mission is to provide both youth and adults with meaningful experiences in leadership training, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. Oswegatchie is open to all groups and organizations. Affiliation to the FFA is not required.
The Oswegatchie Educational Center provides the perfect environment for learning about our natural world. The property includes 4 bodies of water, various streams, wetlands, open fields, and woodlands for hiking, cross- country skiing, and environmental education.
We are New York State's FFA Leadership Training Center!
A Brief History of our Oswegatchie
Many moons ago, native people would travel this river for hunting and trapping. Its debated, but we believe Oswegatchie was used as a description of the actual water, meaning "dark waters". The watershed is tinted a tea color from the "tannic acid" in the water. This mountainous location was difficult to live in during winter months so the native people would return to their homes to the north and east.
Eventually European settlers overtook the land and built logging camps and small cabins for retreats. The property served as a lumberjack camp and later became used as a retreat destination. During the Great Depression and WW2, the land was abandoned for 16 years.
In 1946, Agricultural teachers representing the New York Future Farmers of America purchased the 1,050 acres of land, plus buildings for $33,500. The summer camp was named the "Oswegatchie FFA Camp" taking its name from the river that winds through the property.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s, summer camps throughout the country were experiencing hard times. Many camps closed their doors to campers ending years of long traditions. Oswegatchie Camp was able to make it through these hard times. However, summer camp enrollment slowly dwindled and change was desperately needed.
In 1996, Oswegatchie Camp became the Oswegatchie Educational Center. A full time administrator was hired to build a place with opportunities for all four seasons. Using the structures already in place, including a fully winterized lodge, a new era of programming began for Oswegatchie. Since 1996, we have grown to welcome more than 5,000 guests each year. With the use of our ropes course, ponds, forests, and dedicated staff, we are able to offer many unforgettable experiences in the Adirondacks of New York.
Oswegatchie today offers year-round opportunities for colleges, high schools, businesses, churches, clubs, families and friends. Oswegatchie is open to all, and we look forward to the opportunity to share our knowledge of leadership training, environmental education, and outdoor recreation to all who visit. For More Information call (315) 346-1222 or email [email protected].
The Oswegatchie Educational Center in Croghan, New York is nestled on 1200 acres of wooded land within the Adirondack Park. Oswegatchie is owned and operated by the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation, Inc. The center operates as a youth camp during the summer months and is open throughout the year as an educational and recreational retreat center.
Our Mission is to provide both youth and adults with meaningful experiences in leadership training, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. Oswegatchie is open to all groups and organizations. Affiliation to the FFA is not required.
The Oswegatchie Educational Center provides the perfect environment for learning about our natural world. The property includes 4 bodies of water, various streams, wetlands, open fields, and woodlands for hiking, cross- country skiing, and environmental education.
We are New York State's FFA Leadership Training Center!
A Brief History of our Oswegatchie
Many moons ago, native people would travel this river for hunting and trapping. Its debated, but we believe Oswegatchie was used as a description of the actual water, meaning "dark waters". The watershed is tinted a tea color from the "tannic acid" in the water. This mountainous location was difficult to live in during winter months so the native people would return to their homes to the north and east.
Eventually European settlers overtook the land and built logging camps and small cabins for retreats. The property served as a lumberjack camp and later became used as a retreat destination. During the Great Depression and WW2, the land was abandoned for 16 years.
In 1946, Agricultural teachers representing the New York Future Farmers of America purchased the 1,050 acres of land, plus buildings for $33,500. The summer camp was named the "Oswegatchie FFA Camp" taking its name from the river that winds through the property.
During the 1980’s and 1990’s, summer camps throughout the country were experiencing hard times. Many camps closed their doors to campers ending years of long traditions. Oswegatchie Camp was able to make it through these hard times. However, summer camp enrollment slowly dwindled and change was desperately needed.
In 1996, Oswegatchie Camp became the Oswegatchie Educational Center. A full time administrator was hired to build a place with opportunities for all four seasons. Using the structures already in place, including a fully winterized lodge, a new era of programming began for Oswegatchie. Since 1996, we have grown to welcome more than 5,000 guests each year. With the use of our ropes course, ponds, forests, and dedicated staff, we are able to offer many unforgettable experiences in the Adirondacks of New York.
Oswegatchie today offers year-round opportunities for colleges, high schools, businesses, churches, clubs, families and friends. Oswegatchie is open to all, and we look forward to the opportunity to share our knowledge of leadership training, environmental education, and outdoor recreation to all who visit. For More Information call (315) 346-1222 or email [email protected].
