Parent Information

Camp History
The Ocala Conservation Center and Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp have been around since the early 1950s. Originally known as the Youth Conservation Camp or YCC, the camp was created with the goal of teaching outdoor skills through environmental education. Over the past seven decades, the name has changed, but the goal has remained the same. Today, the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp is able to serve nearly 600 campers annually, ages 8 - 17, outdoor skills, environmental and conservation literacy, leadership skills, and firearm safety each year.

The Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
The Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp is a part of the FYCCN within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). For over 15 years FYCCN has been following its mission of“creating the next generation that cares” through its four pillars: paddle sports, shooting sports, fishing and wildlife viewing.

American Camp Association Accredited
To become accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) our camp went through a rigorous peer review process and had to meet more than 300 standards regarding safety, staffing, health, and program quality. To maintain our accreditation we must go through this process every 5 years.

Our facilities are rustic but comfortable with air-conditioned cabins and a dining hall. Cabins allow 8-16 campers per building with bathrooms attached or a short walk away. All cabins utilize twin bunk bed frames.

OOAC hires 40 seasonal staff who are required to pass a Level 2 background screening. Each staff member attends specific training for the position they are selected for. All staff have up to date CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications as required by American Camp Association standards.

The Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp reserves the right to dismiss any camper at anytime depending on the actions and/or behavior of your camper. Camper dismissal is up to the discretion of the Camp Director.

• 
  The Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp and the FWC have a zero tolerance policy for bullying. Bullying of any kind may result in the dismissal of your camper. 
• OOAC is a strictly “no touch” camp. Campers should not touch one another. Horseplay of any kind is not permitted.
• Inappropriate language, comments, gestures, actions, etc.
  are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. 
• Any action or behavior that would lead us to believe that your camper is a danger to themself or others will result in the immediate dismissal of your camper.
• Curse words, foul or otherwise offensive language will not be
  permitted. 
• Camp rules were made with the safety and wellbeing of ALL campers in mind. Your camper’s disregard for and/or refusal to follow camp rules and policies may result in the dismissal of your camper.
• If your camper is lessening the experience of the other kids in the cabin, we will advise the parents to voluntarily pick up their child.
• Phones and other electronic devices are not permitted at camp. This policy helps campers stay focused, avoid distractions. If you choose to send your child with a phone, it will be collected and securely stored in the office until pickup. If you need to contact your child during camp, please call the office.

Our Leadership Camp program is for 16-17 year old campers. In this program, Leadership Campers (LCs) learn leadership skills through specific programming and activities as well as mentorship time spent
with different counselors and instructors, where they can then apply some of the skills they learn throughout the week. This program also gives the opportunity for LCs to earn up to 40 hours of service learning
hours. To become an LC your camper must complete and submit an application, the tuition for LCs is reduced to $200 per week.

General Information

• OOAC has an onsite registered nurse who oversees the health and wellbeing of the camp community.
• Our health center is stocked with most, common over the counter medications.
• All OOAC staff who supervise campers are first aid, CPR, and AED certified 

Policy for Medications, Ointments, Supplements

• All medications, ointments, and supplements must be checked in with the camp nurse during camper check-in, in their original containers. 
• All medications, ointments, and supplements are stored in the Health Center. 
• Emergency medications will be secured by the staff assigned to that camper. 

Emergency Information

• In the the event of a life threatening injury, the camper will be transported to AdventHealth Ocala or the HCA Florida Silver Springs ER.
• In the event of a mental health emergency in which your camper suggests they are at risk of harming themselves or others, local law enforcement will be contacted to assess the camper.
• In the event of an emergency evacuation campers will be transported to:
  • Lake Shore, US Forest Service Property
  • 14434 NE Hwy 314
  • Silver Springs, FL 34488

OR

• • FWC Northeast Regional Office
  • 1239 SW 10th Street
  • Ocala, FL 34471 

Review the Details

Prepare your child for what to expect at camp; sleeping arrangements, rules, activities.

Keep it Positive

Avoid associating camp with negative feelings, for example, pointing out your child will have to “survive” without their usual comforts, i.e., cellphones, makeup, or sleeping in.

Pre-write Letters

Pre-write letters for your child and hand them in at check-in so that your child can get mail from you every day.

You Will Be Ok While They’re Away

Avoid statements like, “I don’t know what I am going to do while you are away”, or “I don’t know how I will survive while you are gone.” It is okay to let your child know that you will miss them, but you don’t want to inadvertently lead them to believe that their absence will put you or your family in any kind of emotional or physical harm.

Reduce Screen Time

Slowly reduce your child’s time on their phones, tablets, and video games prior to camp.

Embrace The Mess

For kids that are extra tidy or those who may like a quiet house, It will be different. The cabin may indeed be a little loud and a bit messy from time to time, and that’s okay!

Don’t Make Promises

We strongly discourage parents from making any sort of promise to their child about picking them up early from camp. Most homesick prone campers will ask to go home within the first 24 – 48 hours of camp regardless of if they are having a good time and will struggle to adjust if they believe their parent will come get them if they call.

Clothing

• 8 - 10 pairs of shorts
• 8 - 10 t-shirts
• 1 - 2 pairs of long pants
• 1 - 2 long sleeve shirts
• 6 -8 pairs of underclothing
• 6 - 8 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of dry shoes
• 1 pair of shoes for wet hikes
• 1 pair of shower shoes
• Raincoat or Poncho
• Hat and Sunglasses (polarized)
• 2 bathing suits
• 2 dry wick swim shirts
• Swim shorts

Respectful Attire

Please avoid clothing with inappropriate statements, symbols, or images that are profane, obscene, political (including associations with political or social activism), controversial, or make references to drugs, tobacco or alcohol.

Toiletries

• Twin bed sheets and blanket or
  sleeping bag
• Pillow with pillowcase
• Hand towel and washcloth
• 2-3 bath towels
• Toiletry bag
• Deodorant
• Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Sunscreen & Bug Spray
• Laundry Bag

Equipment

• Reusable water bottle (we
  recommend 32oz)
• Flashlight
• (Small) Backpack
• Campers enrolled in the Outfitters
  program are permitted to bring
  their own archery equipment
  (field points only). Archery
  equipment must be brought in a
  case and checked in.

Prohibited Items

• Electronic Devices. An electronic device is anything that uses
• electricity and technology to do things like talk to people, read, show videos, or search the internet. This includes but is not limited to: smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, gaming consoles, digital cameras, and smart watches. 
• Weapons/Flammables/Explosives.
• Tobacco/Alcohol/Drugs/Vaping devices.
• Food or drinks. The camp will provide water and food, including snacks.

FWC will not be liable for the loss, theft, or damage of camper items. Please respect the property of others.

• Review the camp rules and policies with your child. 
• Make sure that your approved pick up list is up to date.
• If you are planning on going out of town while your child is at camp please make sure that those that you have on file to be able to pick up your child know to keep their phone on them and that they may get a call throughout the week to pick up
  your child. 
• Try to gradually reduce your child’s screen time to prepare for being at camp without electronics.
• If your child is attending multiple weeks of camp, double check what program they are signed up for each week so they are prepared with everything they might need.

Check-In

• Check-in is from 3:00 - 5:00 PM (ET) on the Sunday of your scheduled week
  • If you are running late or your child is no longer coming for that week, please call or email us.
• Make sure you bring all of your signed paperwork
  • List of paperwork due at check-in:
    • Shooting Sports Parent Release Form
    • Physician’s Medical Examination Form
    • Communicable Diseases at Camp
    • Permission to Treat Form
    • Parent Info Form
    • Assumption of Risk

Check-Out

• Confirm that the person picking up your camper(s) is on the approved pickup list. 
• The person picking up your camper(s) must bring a photo ID with them.
• Camper check-out is from 3:00 - 5:00 PM (ET) on the Friday of your scheduled week.

If you are interested in our camps but unable to cover the cost due to financial limitations, we have scholarships available on a limited basis. Please contact OCC@MyFWC.com for more information.