Special Programs
Junior Maine Guide (JMG) Program: For Seniors. Session 1 only. Campers work each day to develop new outdoor living skills, such as fire building, cooking, map and compass skills, shelter building and more. The fifth week, campers go to a JMG testing camp where state officials test and observe a candidate’s skills. Campers who pass the test earn a Junior Maine Guide (JMG) certification from the State of Maine.
Note: Campers meet two full periods per day during Session 1 (four weeks) and attend the JMG
test week offsite during a fifth additional week.
Cost for the JMG test week is $1,350. O-AT-KA pays the JMG Test Fee and expenses.
Discover SCUBA Program: For ages 10 and up. This half-day PADI program offers an introduction to the experience of SCUBA diving. Participants will learn basic SCUBA skills and will have the opportunity to complete a dive in Sebago Lake under the direct supervision of a PADI professional.
Cost for the Discover SCUBA program is $125. All needed equipment will be provided. The Discover SCUBA registration form and medical release must be completed by a parent prior to participation.
Scuba Certification Program: For ages 12 and up. Are you interested in becoming a certified PADI Open Water Diver? This one-week half-day program includes in-water training, four confined water dives, four open-water dives, and a culmination trip to O-AT-KA’s Knights’ Cove or Portland Harbor for an open-ocean dive. An advanced open-water certification course is also available for anyone already certified.
Cost for the PADI certification program is $650. All needed equipment will be provided. The SCUBA
certification registration form and medical release must be completed by a parent prior to participation. Also, each student is required to complete the academics component online prior to the start of camp.
Lifeguard Training Program: For ages 15 and up. Campers participate in the American Red Cross lifeguard training program, a 36-hour course in theoretical and practical skills. Successful candidates will earn their LGT certificate, as well as First Aid and CPR certification from the American Red Cross. The course meets two
periods a day during the first session only.
There are no extra costs for the lifeguard training program.
Clinics: In 2012, O-AT-KA will offer two intensive clinics – riflery and stained glass. Both meet for two full periods every day.
The riflery clinic will offer campers extra opportunity to receive more one-one-one attention, work through individual form and technique, and progress through the NRA awards. Through
assorted mini-competitions and drills, campers will refine their skills in preparation for intercamp competitions. Priority is given to seven-weekers; the clinic is not open to two-weekers.
The stained glass clinic will provide more-experienced campers an opportunity to refine their skills and work on larger and more intricate projects. The clinic is not open to novices.
There are no extra costs for Clinics.
The Order of Sir Galahad
Camp founder Rev. E.J. Dennen developed a character-building program modeled after King Arthur’s court which he called The Order of Sir Galahad. Mr. Dennnen’s motto was, “It is easier to build boys than to mend men.”
Within this Order there are five degrees. Each one serves as a building block leading a boy towards a better life. The degrees are: Lads, Pages, Esquires, Knights, and Knight-Counselors. Each degree has its own motto, vow, and prayer. The mottos are, respectively, helpfulness, obedience, truth, chivalry, and service.
Each step in the Galahad program reflects the developmental challenges of the boys and young men of that degree. For instance, middlers, age 11–13, take on the vow of obedience—something that can be a challenge for that age group!
Wilderness Trips
During his stay at O-AT-KA, every boy can expect to go on at least one overnight camping trip. Often, trips are organized by cabin or unit, and form part of the fabric of the unit experience. Interested middlers and seniors may also register for elective trips that challenge each boy to set and attain goals, take care of himself and his equipment, and to become the kind of person that others can turn to for support.
Wilderness Trips at Camp O-AT-KA are 2-5 day adventures and include hiking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing on remote Maine lakes, as well as an annual trek to the summit of Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, and a trip to explore Maine’s Acadia National Park.
Click here to read more about our Wilderness Trips program!
C.I.T. Program
The 7-week Counselor-In-Training program provides participants with an experiential education in effective leadership skills while focusing on the specific skills necessary to work effectively with children. It also focuses on the value of creating lifelong friends in a healthy supportive environment.
C.I.T.s hone their skills to an advanced level while learning important safety skills, and eventually act as assistant staff members while they learn the skills necessary to lead group activities and be a cabin counselor.
Dennen Week
Dennen Week is a one week program that is held as the last week of the camp schedule. E.J. Dennen believed in service and extending a helping hand, and that is something we hold very dear at Camp O-AT-KA.
Dennen week is a week of regular camp with normal camp activities, but is held for those that would otherwise be unable to afford camp tuition. Our regular staff is often augmented by volunteer alumni and friends, who work hard to ensure that Dennen week is a fun experience in nature, and in every way a week of Camp O-AT-KA life no different from any other.
2012 Maine Adventure Program (CO-MAP) New!
Click Here for more information about the 2012 Adventure Program.
This summer O-AT-KA is offering a two week wilderness trip for 15 - 17 year old boys. A maximum of ten boys will spend the two weeks camping, cooking, mountain biking, sea-kayaking, rock climbing, white water rafting, and mountain climbing. In addition they will be involved in the planning and shopping for their meals. There will also be a community service component during the program. The group will be lead by long time O-AT-KA trip leader Bubba Brownley and assisted by a second trip leader. Their itinerary includes stays at O-AT-KA’s Knight’s Cove property in South Bristol, islands in Muscongus Bay, Acadia National Park, the Poplar Steam Hut & Grand Falls Hut located in the Flagstaff lake area and ending up with a day trip white water rafting on the Kennebec River.
