8 Ways to Visit Oswegatchie During the School Year
Oswegatchie was established by FFA Advisors and their students in 1946. It is a place for young people to get away from home and “recreate” themselves.
Oswegatchie is known for its successful summer camp program, but its open year-round for groups of all ages and sizes. The old adage says “Oswegatchie has Four Seasons of Opportunity” and that is the truth! If you are new to Oswegatchie, you may not know how to take advantage of the facility outside of the summer camp season. Let’s go over the…
Oswegatchie is known for its successful summer camp program, but its open year-round for groups of all ages and sizes. The old adage says “Oswegatchie has Four Seasons of Opportunity” and that is the truth! If you are new to Oswegatchie, you may not know how to take advantage of the facility outside of the summer camp season. Let’s go over the…
8 Ways to “Oswegatchie” During the School Year..
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1. TEAM Challenge Ropes Course Day Trip
Our ropes course has been in use since 1991 and is a major draw to Oswegatchie. It is used by FFA Chapters, sports teams, and colleges. The day is broken typically into 2 halves. One portion is spent on our low ropes elements, which is highly focused on the team or group. The second portion is high ropes like the zipline and giant swing. No group can accomplish all the elements in one day so it leaves variety for return groups. Some schools choose to spend the entire day just on low ropes based on their groups needs. |
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A day on the ropes course for a FFA / Teen Group is $30 per person / minimum cost of 12 students / extra $150 flat fee if you select Zipline or the Giant swing due to staffing needs. Supervision needs to maintained by your chaperones while Oswegatchie staff provide the programming.
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
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2. Snowshoes & Winter Ecology Day Trip
Similar to our ropes course program, but you keep your feet on the ground most of the time! We take groups of students into the snowy hills for exercise, winter ecology, and team building. This strenuous activity pushes student’s abilities and then rewards them with good memories, exquisite scenery, and camaraderie. After an exhilarating romp through the forest, all students are treated to a pancake lunch with real maple syrup. A day of snowshoeing can be complimented by other environmental activities back at the lodge to help give the kids a break from their tired feet if time permits. Typically, this is a 4-hour program, but if you have more time to fill, we can help you out. Cross country skiing can supplement the day on the athletic field depending on your schedule. |
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A day on the snowshoes for a FFA / Teen Group is $30 per person / minimum cost of 12 people, maximum group size is 40. Supervision needs to maintained by your chaperones while Oswegatchie staff provide the programming.
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
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3. Long Pond 5K Loop Hike Day Trip
A new offering from Oswegatchie! If you have the chance for just one day in the woods, why not make it a 5K hike around Long Pond with one of our staff as your guide. We will mix team building and environmental education activities into your trip. We include stops at our state-of-the-art Mesonet station, a glacial esker, and the south end of Long Pond. A round trip around Long Pond is best with a bag lunch on the trail. Timing this by the calendar is important as black flies, snow, and summer heat will affect the experience. |
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A day on the Long Pond 5K Loop Hike for a FFA / Teen Group is $30 per person / minimum cost of 12 people, no maximum group size. Supervision needs to maintained by your chaperones while Oswegatchie staff provide the programming.
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
*Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only
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4. One Night Trips
Not all youth groups are ready for 2 nights away from home. Often times younger students or busy older students can only get away for 24 hours. We recommend arriving for lunch and then heading out on an activity till dinner. Allow student to enjoy comradery around the campfire before lights out. Get up early the next day for a hike or boat trip, plan a brunch, and then back on the road by noon. Supplement this trip by adding the ropes course or other program to the schedule. This is perfect for a short stay without wearing out the students or the teachers. This option is not typically available on weekends, but you can inquire. *Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only |
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5. Winter Weekends
Besides summer camp, this is how most school groups experienced Oswegatchie. They book Sutliff or Foster for a weekend. Sometimes they team up with other schools. Either way it’s a great to see the Adirondacks in winter. You can book meals and programs through us or do your own thing. Many schools enjoy using Sutliff or Foster kitchens to prepare their own meals. If you do your own programs, you will find the property is ready for you to keep students busy in a winter wonderland. Additionally, these can be prime weekends to focus on FFA contests and chapter planning. |
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6. Mid-Week Overnights
Oswegatchie typically has lodging space available mid-week available. Sunday – Thursdays are less sought aftertimes frames. If any school wants to book their own retreat mid-week, that is an option. You can book meals and programs through us or do your own thing. Many schools enjoy using Sutliff or Foster kitchens to prepare their own meals. Typically, the big catch is your school letting you out during the academic week, but often Mondays or Fridays off can lead to great days away. Supplement this trip by adding the ropes course or other program to the schedule. *Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only |
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7. Environmental Science & Leadership Training Programs (ELPs)
The Cornell Ag Ed Outreach sponsors our “Environmental Science and Leadership Training Programs called “ELPs”. These 2 day-2 night retreats happen on specific days set by Oswegatchie typically, Wednesday - Fridays. Often there will be 2 events in the Spring and 2 events in Autumn. Oswegatchie provides all of the instruction, ropes course time, evening programs, food, and lodging. Teachers and chaperones provide supervision during transition times, meals, and overnight. The goal is to host more than one school at a time and possibly up to 90 students between Sutliff & Foster Lodges. An application is required and is available online or by contacting our office. *Eligible for CoSer 410 funding on week days only |
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8. AdironDUCK Race Sunday
Let’s say you can don’t have a chance to attend Oswegatchie any other time of year, but you want to still show your students Oswegatchie. The AdironDUCK Race Sunday is the ideal time to stop in, support the event by purchasing pancake breakfasts (or brunch) and walk around checking out the place. The day is filled with free entertainment and of course, the “dumping of the ducks”. The Duck Race is also a major fundraising day for Oswegatchie & FFA Chapters. |
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To learn more about overnight lodging, check out our lodging website at www.oswegatchieretreats.org
To learn more about Oswegatchie's Ropes Course, go to www.oswegatchieropes.com
To learn more about Oswegatchie's Ropes Course, go to www.oswegatchieropes.com
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