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The Voyager returned this summer, with an upgrade! Formerly known as the Pioneer, the Voyager or ‘Voyo’ is a three-day camping trip outside of Camp offered to campers 12 and older. Outside camping trips are a longstanding part of our program and we were thrilled to be able to start running these trips again this summer.
The camping trip was paused for a few years because of pandemic-related risks and challenges. With the return of the trip, we’ve made some alterations to improve the experience for campers and staff. The trip is now hiking-only, with three adventurous days of backpacking, campfire cooking, and connecting with nature. Canoeing is still an important part of the Onas program, and separating it from the Voyager trip helps address a few challenges and just as importantly, improves the experience for campers and staff. We observed that consistently higher rainfall made canoeing on the Delaware River unsafe. More and more often, we had to cancel that part of the trip, disappointing participants and interrupting day-to-day Camp life.
Many Voyagers were also having to make the tough choice between spending their last full day at Camp on an adventurous trip or taking part in Graduates Day. Now, they can do both! Lastly, campers who did not pass a test in our pool demonstrating strong swimming skills necessary for the river were ineligible to go on the Voyager. Removing this barrier to participation helps create more equitable access to this program. Canoeing is a great skill to learn, and even better way to have fun on the water, so campers can still learn to canoe on the pond and participate in Dingle trips each session!
Campers spend two days backpacking along the Appalachian Trail and a third day hiking in Worthington State Forest. This final day incorporates more choice for campers and staff based on their curiosities and strengths. Day three possibilities might include art projects, music, or other classically Onas activities, and gives campers the chance to explore the surrounding area’s waterfalls, vistas, and other natural wonders.
For many campers, this is the first backpacking trip of their life…But often not the last! It’s a special opportunity to take healthy risks, try something new with their peers, and build confidence in themselves and their capabilities.
Enjoy the photos from the 4th Session Voyager Trip below. Shout out to Senior Counselor Rosa for sharing these photos with us! Thank you the counselors who led the way, and to the campers for taking on the adventure!
So here's the to Voyagers, the best of them all!
They're merry, they're jolly, we like them by golly!
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