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July 2026
By Sally Jones Orr

I was a shy eleven-year-old when I landed at Onaway for my first summer and was so homesick that Miss Stiles almost sent me home! But with the loving support from counselors, friendships that steadily grew, and the camp’s well-designed program of varied activities, I blossomed like so many campers before me. What an incredible gift Onaway was for me then and has continued to be through the decades since.  “Be Strong” still pops into my head from time to time as I confront a challenge! Does that happen to you?

 Several years ago, I decided to include Onaway in my estate plans. I thought it was the least I could do for the camp that had done so much for my confidence and personal development, and for my daughters also! They went to Onaway in the mid-’90s and early ’00s when Carol Southall was director.  

In addition,  I was eager to help future camp girls who may need Onaway’s guidance and values more than we, or even my girls, did.  I believe it’s hard being a teenager today… Taking this step was a way I could help them, even though I will never know them.  

 I decided the best arrangement for me to make was to name Camp Onaway as a partial beneficiary of my IRA. I went online to my account, found the “Beneficiary Designation Form,” and listed Camp Onaway to receive a certain percentage of what will be left when I move on. It was a quick and simple process, and can be changed at any time. 

It was probably the most personally satisfying gift I have ever made. While it is not large, it will be helpful. To this day, whenever I drive by and see the sign on 3A, I still get a little thrill, thinking that my final gift to this place that I love and the program that I so admire will carry on, maybe forever.   

Today, I hear there are 85 members of the CRS, alumnae and parents who have taken this heartfelt step. Last summer, Onaway held a Zoom gathering for all Campfire Rick Society members with the director, and it was great fun to see old friends and meet new ones. We even got a peek at camp in action! 

There are several ways to include Onaway in your plans, and most of them do not require an attorney’s assistance. If you have already included Onaway in your plans or are ready for the next step, please let Onaway know, so they can thank you and answer any questions you might have. Just knowing your intention will make you a member of the CRS. Onaway trusts you will get around to actually making the arrangements soon enough! 

And then, perhaps I will see you on a future CRS Zoom!  We CRS members share a special bond – come join us!

Sally Jones Orr, Tiptops ’65
saralinda.orr@gmail.com
610-716-3136 c

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April 2026
By Lou Berl

I did not go to Camp Onaway, but my relationship with this special community, hidden in the pines, on the crystal-clear shores of Newfound Lake, is as profound as any school or camp I ever attended.

Nancy Winship was my older sister’s best friend growing up, and I worshiped her. She was the youngest of three, just like me, and she made me feel that we shared an incredible bond. Perhaps because she didn’t have a little sister of her own, she always made me feel seen. Almost every time she came over, she would bring a grocery bag full of her hand-me-downs. I especially loved the soft Levi’s corduroys with the little red tab on the back pocket—I thought they were the coolest things. Pretty much everything Nancy did was cool in my eyes, including disappearing every summer to Camp Onaway. I didn’t know much about the camp back then, but we all heard, and envied, her stories of this amazing “home away from home” in New Hampshire.

It was Nancy who gave my name to Carol Southall in 1986 when Carol was looking for a rowing coach. She had just acquired two old wooden Pocock shells from Middlesex School and needed someone to run the program. I was a sophomore at Trinity College in Hartford, with five years of rowing under my belt, and I couldn’t have been more excited when I heard Carol was driving all the way from Maine to meet me.

The visit was wonderful. I can still see the sparkle in her eyes and her warm smile as she described everything Onaway—the culture, the fun, the laughter, the singing, the incredible trips into the White Mountains, and, of course, the lake. While I don’t remember every detail of that conversation, I vividly recall how she conveyed her love of the place, the importance of Onaway’s mission, the accomplishments, the simplicity, and the kindness. I couldn’t wait to work there that summer.

I dove into life at Onaway and felt myself evolve in new ways. I was so grateful for the community of counselors who—despite having mostly attended the camp themselves—embraced me as one of their own. I taught rowing, luxuriated in the clear water, and led several hiking trips. I was a Birches and Aides counselor, and I did my darndest to learn all the Onaway songs. I regularly messed up “Flicker,” and I was eternally grateful for Mrs. Southall’s hand signals reminding me that we did not add the “dadaddada” at the very end of the song.

Working at Onaway taught me so many lessons. It was a place where I felt mentored and supported. I learned to coach, to encourage, and to mediate. I learned the joy of playing with kids and gained the freedom to be myself and trust my gut. In my two years on the Onaway Council, I became comfortable in leadership positions and learned from my peers how good it feels to work hard and have fun at the same time. When I think of Onaway, I think of joy, hard work, and a chorus of songs.

So, when my mother suggested I send my daughter, Charlotte, to Camp Onaway to “keep her cousin Olivia company,” the memories came flying back. Mind you, I didn’t actually want to send my daughter away for an entire summer. Charlotte was our oldest, and my husband, Chris, and I were having the time of our lives raising our girls in the wonderful town of Davidson, North Carolina. I felt no need to send her away… but those powerful memories of the simplicity, the escape into nature, the challenges, and the global friendships took hold. We found a trunk, and the rest is history.

All three of our girls—Charlotte, Wilder, and Allaire—spent many glorious summers growing, laughing, and learning at Onaway. It’s almost impossible to put the power of an Onaway summer into words, but I witnessed it year after year as I watched my daughters grow. We often hear others rave about their summer camp experiences, but very few are as uniquely transformative as Onaway, for both the campers and the counselors.

As a camp, it is a long commitment, and we all know it comes with waves of fabulous energy followed by moments of exhaustion and occasional homesickness. But it is in slugging through the challenges—the repetition and the distance—that the magic happens. We grow as individuals, and we grow as a collective. In a sense, we become a new family, one closer than we ever could if Onaway weren’t a seven-week camp. We learn to celebrate each other. We learn to try again. We hug, we support, we grow an inch, we learn the crawl, we dance, we hike, we create, we memorize, we get stronger, and we finally learn those darn songs. We are not just empowered; we are connected.

As a parent, I had a love/hate relationship with Onaway. On one hand, I couldn’t wait for the girls to get back to the simplicity of the camp—no makeup, no jewelry, brown and white uniforms, pine trees, mountains, the lake, and deep friendships. But because it is such a long summer, I missed them desperately. As much as I loved drop-off day, I hated driving away, knowing I wouldn’t see them for weeks.

The Onaway experience is defined by more than just our pristine location or our social-media-free environment; it is defined by our seven-week commitment to depth. We don’t just introduce campers to new activities; we empower them to master them. Through a supportive community that encourages grit and resilience, Onaway transforms a summer of fun into a summer of real, lasting growth.

Ultimately, the beauty of Onaway is about the time. The magic happens in that long stretch of highs, lows, laughter, and hard work. Much like the real things in life, what Onaway achieves takes time:

• Time allows for skills to improve and confidence to evolve.
• Time allows for friendships to bloom and deepen.
• Time allows for campers to think on their own and work deeply toward their goals.
• Time allows a cabin to become a home and acquaintances to become true friends.
• Time allows for trust to build.
• Time allows for a connection to nature and a break from screens, which helps us relax, sleep better, and lower our anxiety.

Like becoming a good rower, the most important things in life take time and hard work. Thank you, Onaway, for providing such an exceptional home where kids have the time to grow, stretch, become, and evolve.

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November 2024
By The Querrys

It’s been said that the only constant is change.  

Raising children, we are reminded of this every day.  Though, while our children are away at camp, we sometimes forget how much they grow and change while they’re away from us.  We expect to receive them home in a similar condition in which they left and, sometimes, that homecoming can be quite overwhelming.  The growth and development we have witnessed has been incredible. Year after year we are more surprised than before at witnessing our daughter grow into herself.  

Our daughter began at Onaway during the virtual summer of 2020, so she was unsure of how being away from home physically would go.  She met the challenge head on as soon as camp was open the following summer and has never once hesitated to go.  She has learned who she is, who she wants to be, and what values she expects from her friends back home.  

While only in the 8th grade, she has already been inspired to think of her future, going to college and scheming plans to come home to Onaway in her summers.  At camp, she is able to thrive, seeking out activities that fulfill her that maybe aren’t available at home or even frowned upon by peers.  She is free to explore her interests unapologetically.  In 2023 she learned to row for the first time and fell in love.  She committed all her time to being on the boat and is now seeking programs here at home, something we never imagined.  She has found her voice in singing and theater, propelling her into school band and musicals with pride.  

Most importantly, she has learned to navigate the world without us.  She has learned how to soften and listen to differing opinions, and how to lift others up while also nurturing her own needs. Our job as parents is to prepare our children to live out in the world without us. Onaway has provided a safe and loving second home for our girls to be brave, take chances, and bloom into their own individual selves while being a part of something bigger than them. For that, we are forever grateful. 

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October 2024
By Lydia Romano Barhight Trustee

The Camp Onaway core values help guide the campers while they are on Newfound Lake, but also serve to help the board in stewardship and decision making. Every meeting of the board of trustees starts with a member offering a reflection centering on one of these values (Self-Discovery, Simplicity, Honor, Spirituality and Love, and Community). Within the core value of Honor are included habits of honesty and integrity. At a recent board meeting, I considered the core Onaway Value of Honor and specifically a habit of honesty, reflecting on how that connected to my Camp Onaway experience.

It occurs to me that “honesty” can be interpreted many ways. I have found myself thinking about honesty with myself- in particular, learning to be humble, accountable, and brave enough to change. 

I recently found my journal from 1999, spanning the summer as a 16-year-old OWLE into my first semester at boarding school. This was hilarious but a bit cringey and painful to read. I detailed every day, and was clearly quite honest, as I shared happiness and achievements, but also days where I was down, frustrated, jealous, or tired. At times, I wanted simultaneously to hug this girl and shake her. 

I couldn’t think of any better way to share what Onaway means to me and how I grew from camp than to share some snapshots from that summer:

July 14, 1999

“Leadership”

• Being in control

• Improving situations

• Taking charge

• Helping others

• Good people skills

• Knowing what to do

• People listen to you/trust you

It’s the first day. I’m finally here at camp. I think it’s going to be a great trip! We’re going to be canoeing, and also sea kayaking, rock climbing…it’ll be awesome. I’m going to try to concentrate on the trip and get the most I can out of it, instead of worry about stuff.

A good leader has to be respected. At my school that means the right group, but it’s different here. We all know and trust each other so it will be ok. I haven’t had all that much experience with leadership, but adults seem to think I do. At home I’m the oldest. I never want to be thought of as “bossy” though. I think leadership is important to help things to get done.

Onaway is gorgeous. I’m sitting in the woods looking at the lake- I think it’s still free swim or writing period, almost evening. I wonder if I’ll be different when I get home. Will this trip or its demands change me? I hope so. I feel more relaxed and peaceful already. 

July 23
We’re supposed to be writing about leadership. What can I say? I hated being the leader, at least on resupply. Everybody expected resupply to be a calm, relaxed, luxurious day. We were all looking forward to the van ride, clean clothes, and toilet paper. What we didn’t realize was how much work there was to be done. We had to pack up everything and load the van. We had to get the canoes ready, make trips back and forth, it took a lot longer than we expected.  But, once we were off it was ok. You’d think it would be much easier than packing for the first time in the trips room, but it was much harder. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t have everyone so split up. It’s hard to work efficiently when you feel overwhelmed. I like leading people in general. It’s kinda fun being in charge. But when things don’t go as planned, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that it isn’t a one time pass/fail situation. It’s difficult to find a balance between being too bossy and not being in control enough. 

Sunday, July 25
Today we left for Acadia. It’s so pretty here! We had planned our hike already, so we went to Jordan Pond, up Penobscot mountain, and through the Bubble Gap. Unfortunately, I fell coming down. My feet slipped, I did a full circle, then I grabbed a tree so I wouldn’t fall. I have a huge scrape on my right arm below my elbow. There’s one really deep part about the size of a dime. Sarah told me she’s not too worried. She’s going to be a doctor, so I trust her judgment. It feels good to be hiking again. It’s a challenge because it’s so hard, and takes a lot out of you, but at the same time it feels so good. 

August 9
Today was a great day. We set out to hike Washington, and it was really cloudy. We went really fast up Tuckerman and Lions’ head, and ate lunch near Hermit’s lake. We had a really great pace going but the conditions were terrible and it started hailing. We had a group discussion about whether it was safe and smart to continue. We ended up going on, but then it got really freezing, so we turned back. I think we were all glad. It was good that we made the decision as a group. I can’t believe OWLES is basically over. Tomorrow we go back to camp. 

Onaway gave me role models, both senior and contemporary. I saw options for ways that I could be the best me. People I admired, in so many different aspects. Photographers, hikers, comediennes, storytellers. What Onaway gave me was the space and safety to explore my own talents, to “try different things out,” and find my own personal style. I still feel proud that I swam the length of the lake, or went on backpacking my Skytops year. But big goals are made up of small practice, and Onaway shaped me for the little things, how I approach each day, and each challenge.  Camp held me accountable to myself, to be honest about my failures and shortcomings, but was also a safety net. It is such a gift to be offered a space to do that where you know you will be held, and given kind feedback, encouragement, and nudged down positive paths. I am so grateful to Onaway.

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August 2024
By Mary Broderick, Trustee

Ten years ago last March, at my second board meeting, Onaway Trustees spent the weekend in Philadelphia working to define Onaway’s values, thanks to some encouragement from Advancement Director Meredith Funston. Through deep reflection, working as individuals, in small groups, and as a whole, the Board dug deep into what it means to be Onaway. Though the lists were long, trustees were able to identify five values that “carried a herd” of other values within them: 

•   Honor
•   Simplicity
•   Community
•   Self-Discovery
•   Spirituality/Love

For the past eight years, we have begun each board meeting with a reflection on our values and I am invariably moved by the power of these values to affect our lives and the human beings we are— or strive to be. I love that Onaway values also anchor our work together and believe it is those shared commitments that have made us an effective and downright joyful Board.

It feels appropriate to offer my own reflections at this, my second-to-last Board meeting.

I remember as a camper feeling that Onaway was different— better than other camps— because it was focused on bigger things… not just on pursuit of excellence in canoeing and tennis and swimming, but also on our growth as good, thoughtful human beings who were determined to embody Onaway values both at camp and in our daily lives away from camp. We knew these values had been a part of camp from its beginning, passed down from Mrs. Hollister through generations of Onaway girls and women. And we found models in our counselors, aides, and fellow campers.

When in our lives, away from camp, were we asked to think about what we value? When were we asked what it means to be a good person or live a good life? Or to be our best selves? Perhaps in our places of worship, but that didn’t feel personal (to me anyway). Summers at Onaway were the first time I remember being asked to consider big questions: Questions that cause us to rise out of self-interest and focus on something larger than ourselves.

This focus has meant Onaway girls grow to learn what they value so they can confidently contribute to creating a healthy community and world. How many Onaway women have gone on to lives of service? Of leadership? Is it a disproportionate number?

Think of our great leaders. Who are the ones who move our hearts and minds? Clearly the ones who are not about themselves, but who unite us toward a collective good.

I recently watched the first episode of Ken Burns’ Benjamin Franklin. (Perhaps he was influencing our work together at that March meeting in 2014.) You all probably realize that he, like a number of our “fore-parents” created for himself lists of ways he could better himself.

Self-reliance, which Franklin loved (and I would liken to self-discovery), and community may seem like they oppose each other, but Franklin repeatedly said, the good that we can do together surpasses the good that we can do alone. Indeed he had a “Junto,” a team of thoughtful friends who worked together to improve civic life in Philadelphia.

So Onaway provides a “junta,” or people who share values and encourage our individual and collective growth and pursuits…

As older campers, aides, and counselors, we also learned that leadership was not about ourselves, but about finding and growing the gifts in others.

I was at Onaway when the world was only just really opening up to the idea that women had as much to contribute as men. Title IX, the landmark federal civil rights law enacted to prohibit sex-based discrimination in any school that receives federal funding, was not a reality until I had finished my Onaway years.

At Onaway, we found an environment where we could be brave to make mistakes, safe to stretch beyond the capacities we thought we had in pursuit of excellence. We had each other’s backs. This passing week, we will hear the crescendo created by the girls cheering on fellow campers’ successes. And each girl knows that a “pass” means achievement of excellence.

I am unabashedly proud of the way Onaway girls and women encourage and celebrate each other and of Onaway’s importance in the thousands of lives it has nurtured. We are better human beings because of the values at her heart.

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July 2024
By Jenn Devine

I miss my children so much when they are away at camp. The house is so quiet it can feel disconcerting. And while I am happy that it is less messy and disorganized, that also feels a little “off” and I find myself almost missing the sneakers in the middle of the floor or the empty bowls and cups scattered everywhere. I look forward to checking the mailbox each day hoping today will be a “letter day”. With all that being said, there is much to be gained from this opportunity. We know our kids are not only safe and cared for, but are having experiences we could never dream of offering them and they are growing in the most wonderful ways. This time is amazing for our children, so it’s an opportunity to make it amazing for ourselves, the parents, as well. 

During the year, especially with after work/school being a hectic amalgamation of shuttling to different activities, it can be hard to get in time for your own exercise. Since camp started I have logged over 10,000 steps each day and I seriously love the buzz when my knock-off “smartwatch” tells me I hit that daily goal. And on these walks, I have seen chipmunks frolicking, squirrels that definitely found their stored nuts—judging by the size of them, and birds of every kind. And sometimes my husband or a friend from work joins me on the walks and I enjoy the opportunity to talk about anything and everything while also getting in some physical activity. I have cooked more thoughtful meals – I haven’t made spaghetti or frozen chicken nuggets once! My husband and I eat dinner together listening to a record on the record player, we play cards or board games, just the two of us, and we’ve caught up on movies like Oppenheimer that we don’t get an opportunity to watch when the kids are home (the length, the fact we only have one TV, and a myriad of other reasons always seem to get in the way). I may even—*gasp*—finally start reading the two books that have been on my nightstand for three months, but for some reason, I could never seem to focus on while the kids were home (if you’re interested, it’s “We Should Not Be Friends” by Will Schwalbe and “Benjamin Franklin” by Walter Isaacson).

And it’s okay if you don’t have an old hobby or interest to fall back on – now is an excellent time to discover a new one! How cool will your kids think it is if they come home, having learned some new skills of their own, and discover that you are now into ceramics or have a new garden or have crocheted a new blanket for their beds? And the other bonus is that you’ll have plenty of things to write to them about. So get out there and catch up with friends, get back into old hobbies, or discover new ones, and, if you have a partner, spend time reestablishing yourselves and your relationship when it is not centered around your kids. You gave your kids the gift of Onaway to help them discover their best selves, be active, and have fun. Knowing your child is in good hands, take this opportunity to do the same. Now is a good time to give yourself the gift of “self-care.”

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June 2024
By Onaway Staff

The first week of summer camp always includes a few (or many) moments of missing home, unfortunately known as “homesickness.” It’s not a sickness or illness! It’s totally healthy and natural to miss one’s home, family, and friends. In most cases, it’s brief moments of sadness in the rare downtime of the otherwise very busy and fun day. If your child writes home expressing sad feelings, missing home, the dog, or their friends, here are some wonderful words of wisdom you can write back to them to help them understand the feelings and immerse themselves in all the adventures and new friends at camp. They will build coping skills, confidence, and will have a fun-filled summer of growth. Read More…..https://sunshine-parenting.com/10-messages-for-a-homesick-camper/

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April 2024
By Susan Ramquist

In the summer of 2023, Onaway welcomed Mr. Dave Finnell as the new Property Manager.  “Mr. Dave” grew up northeast of Atlanta, Georgia where his family still lives today.  He started his professional career as an electrician in Atlanta.  Growing up, Dave was a boy scout who loved hiking. In 1996, he decided to hike the Appalachian Trail (a north to south through-hiker!). New Hampshire was his favorite state on the trail, so after completing the AT, he decided to move to New Hampshire and become a carpenter. Dave was a self-employed builder in the Newfound area for fifteen years before joining the staff at Onaway. 

In his free time, Dave likes to paddle board, rock climb, hike, ice fish, snowboard, and enjoy all the wonderful views from these different vantage points. 

When asked about his first summer at Onaway, Dave replied, “I’ll admit my first summer was challenging but very fun. It was exciting to see the enthusiastic spirit of camp as well as the bright and cheerful faces of campers and staff every day. I was also impressed with the responsibility and discipline and overall character everyone exhibited.”  Dave added that, after working alone during the pandemic, it was a lot of fun to have social interaction everyday with such a great group of people. Mr. Dave is now spending the off-season months getting camp ready for summer 2024. A few of his many off-season projects are improvements to Woodworking, Gateway, and Owls Nest. If anyone finds themselves in the area this spring, please stop by camp for a visit and say hi to Mr. Dave!

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November 2023
By Itayi Mangah

I grew up in a small country called Zimbabwe. A country approximately 7600 miles away from here. Never in my young life did I ever imagine leaving home and raising a family in a foreign land. I had a wonderful childhood and I was fortunate to have many opportunities and I had the love and support of many people around me. I had my community of friends, church, schoolmates and family, and I had a strong sense of belonging. Now fast forward to years later, I found myself a parent to a young girl in a foreign land here in the United States, and I wanted my daughter to have the same experiences and sense of belonging just as I had when growing up, but, being an immigrant with no family and very little guidance, I was challenged and could not do it by myself!

A friend told me about Onaway, and I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, I took my chances because I had no idea what Onaway was really about. However, I quickly realized that I had made the right choice. Maita at first was reluctant but with every summer she came back and she thrived. It took her 3 summers to move from “minnows” in swimming. It was at Onaway that she found out that she had a passion for singing and acting, and she took classical music in high school. She took boating, canoeing, and the first summer she made a candle holder which I proudly show off to everyone who visits our home. There were some challenging summers as well where she almost came home, but in all this, she was supported either by adults or friends around her and came home a better person. While Maita is no longer a camper, she has made strong friendships and her love for camp is deep! This summer Maita did not return as a counselor however she was very concerned and curious to know if opening day went well and even offered to help if needed. When it comes to Onaway, I have seen a sense of responsibility and care that I have not seen in her for other things. You see that’s the spirit of Onaway, that sense of belonging, you can’t explain it but you feel it.

One of Onaway’s values is COMMUNITY which states …. COMMUNITY: Guided by tradition and through a spirit of belonging, love, and independence, Onaway encourages cooperation, compromise, awareness of others, and development of individual strengths, all of which build community.

I did not go to Onaway and cannot relate to a lot of camp traditions, however as a parent I am happy that Onaway provided that community for my daughter to thrive, be herself and develop into the confident young woman that she is today. I am on the board today because of her, and my hope is that Onaway will continue to be that special place where everyone feels they belong.

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By Kendra Demopoulos (mom to current camper Lizzie-Tiptop, alumnae: Ally and Miss Cate) and Alison Quinan (mom to Onaway alums: counselors Misses Emmy and Sarah, and Jocelyn)

Dear Fellow Onaway Families,

Hello and Welcome (or Welcome Back) to Camp!

As we roll into spring and the warmer weather, thoughts turn to summer and getting ready for camp and with that, the packing list! We know it can be a little overwhelming at first glance and as two moms who attended camp in the ‘80s and ‘90s and have each sent 3 girls to camp over the last 10 years, we thought a little explanation/expansion might be helpful. While the official packing list is quite comprehensive for the necessities of day-to-day camp life, there are a few items that might need a little more explanation and a few items our daughters always add to their lists.

Let’s start with the dress-up clothes for Sundays. This does not mean formal wear and it does not mean bringing along your full Elsa costume. Sunday evening supper is typically a casual picnic and each cabin group picks a fun theme for their outfits. Girls create costumes to fit the theme from items they have or they can borrow from each other – our girls have found that their best option is to bring a small assortment of solid colored items (t-shirts in assorted solid rainbow colors, bandanas, shorts, even a random tutu left over from spirit week!) that they can mix and match to fit their needs. Definitely don’t go crazy with this as cabin space is limited!

Next, a suggestion for the laundry bag: The cotton ones on Amazon came with backpack/shoulder straps and they tell me it made life a lot easier when it came time to haul the full bag down the hill for weekly laundry pickup! Don’t forget to personalize it!

The emery board/nail clippers are on the list to help the girls prep their nails for daily nails inspection. Our girls preferred a small nail kit that included cuticle tools in addition to nail clippers and a nail file.

Our girls learned the hard way how important it is that their raincoats and hiking shoes/boots are truly waterproof. And make sure to break in those hiking shoes/boots (or pack plenty of moleskin).

Beyond the items on the packing list, here are some items our girls found helpful to include:

• Thumb tacks
• Masking tape or duct tape
• Extra Sharpie pen(s)
• Self-stick envelopes + stamps (humidity can stick the lick-em kind shut). If you prefer stationary without the self-stick option, we recommend a small plastic container or Ziploc bag for the envelopes to keep the humidity out
• Swim goggles (if your child typically uses them to swim)
• Box of tissues (the square, boutique size fit best on the bedside table)
• Toothbrush case/cover – always a bummer to accidentally drop a toothbrush in the dirt/pine needles on the way to the sink!
• A few small cabin decorations: photos of family/friends, a favorite stuffed animal, small artwork
• Waterproof sandals/shoes for canoe or sailing trips

Lastly, while it’s a pain in the neck, don’t forget to put names on EVERYTHING! You can even use a Sharpie to put a name on the shampoo bottle in case it gets left in the shower house by mistake. A Sharpie or a clothing stamp makes putting names on the many pairs of socks and underwear much easier. For dark clothing, iron-on name tapes work well.

The good news is many of the items on the packing list can be purchased for the first summer and then used for years to come so it gets easier! The cabins are tiny, so don’t bring lots of stuff because it only makes it harder to keep the cabin clean for inspection. Simple living is one of Onaway’s greatest life lessons.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us if you have any questions – about the packing list or anything else!

Bring on the summer!