VYCC Crew Completes Ohana Trail

It's completed!!! The staff of Ohana Family Camp were treated to our first walk on the newly completed trail to the waterfront on Friday. It is a terrific trail, as it meanders through the beautiful woods, by old stone walls and by amazing rock formations. The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps worked very hard, in blistering heat and humidity, to complete their project by Friday. On behalf of the Ohana Staff, the Aloha Foundation, and all the future "walkers" on the path, we say a huge thank you to this wonderful crew and their leaders. Come walk with us on our new trail!

New Aloha Camp Parents Welcome Lunch at Ohana

About 60 parents, who were bringing their children to the Aloha Camps for the first time, were invited to a luncheon at Ohana Family Camp on Wednesday. Opening day at the camps, is always a time of mixed emotions for first time parents. Elation that their children will have such a wonderful summer, probably a few little concerns, and often a feeling of emptiness as they leave their children at camp for the first time. The luncheon organized by Ann Downey, Trustee, and the Aloha Foundation's Development Department was a real hit with parents. They enjoyed discussions, a nice luncheon and a chance to meet each other and share a common bond. It's success will surely guarantee a repeat gathering next summer.

VYCC Trail Construction Continues at Ohana Family Camp

Day 4 of trail construction by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps finds the group making great progress. They have come together as a team, and have learned much about trail construction. In the evening, after they have cooked their dinner and cleaned up, they can be found playing spirited games of volleyball and soceer. It brings to mind the saying that they "work hard and play hard." They are terrific team of young people, with very able leaders Maggie and Emily.



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Ohana Pre Camp Training is in Full Swing

This is staff training week at Ohana Family Camp. Although we have been working with a small crew for over a month now, our full staff arrived on Monday morning. It feels great to have everyone here, and to anticipate the first families arriving on Saturday. Yesterday was a day of projects to get ready for opening. Much time was spent on cleaning out our wonderful old barn to get it ready for use as our arts and crafts area. It is terrific to work as a group and to accomplish so much.

Note how Libby and Courtney take a break to show their real skills!

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps arrives at Ohana Family Camp

A VYCC crew of 8 teenagers and 2 crew leaders arrived at Ohana Family Camp yesterday. They are part of a larger group of Vermont young adults who will be working on crews all over the state this summer. They have set up camp in the Tent Unit at Ohana, where they will cook their own meals and make plans for the trail construction which starts on Sunday. With their leaders, Maggie and Emily, they will plan and inspect the area that has been designated for the Ohana Trail. They will look at potential routes , soil depths, topography of the terrain, interesting points along the way, and a myriad of other details before they actually take any tools to the woods. This energetic group of 4 young men and 4 young women, all Vermonters, have been chosen, as have many outstanding students, to work with this statewide program this summer. The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is a non-profit youth, leadership, service, conservation, and education organization that instills in individuals the values of personal responsibility, hard work, education, and respect for the environment. This is accomplished by using conservation projects as the vehicle for learning in an intense environment. Read more about their important work at www.vycc.org