Above:  Helen Greven, Onaway Historian, dressed as founder Mabel Hollister

Camp Onaway was established in 1911 by Mrs. Henry (Mabel) Hollister, whose family has long been associated with the camp.  In 1944, Miss Margaret F. Stiles - a counselor under Mrs. Hollister since 1918 - became Director, and under her dedicated leadership the Camp prospered.  In 1960, Camp Onaway was incorporated as a non-profit educational trust by the alumnae and friends of Miss Stiles.  In all, there have been nine Directors at Onaway; following Margaret Stiles were Eleanor Stanwood, William St. John, Jane Kent, and Lisa Taylor who collectively served from 1966 through 1983. 

Caroline Southall retired in 2003 after serving for twenty years as Director.  Under her leadership and vision, Camp Onaway has evolved both as a summer camp meeting the needs and interests of girls and young women and as an extended, year-round community of alumnae and families.  Carol's contributions to Onaway are too numerous to mention entirely but a partial list includes leadership development (post Skytop OWLE program), activities (Crew), facilities (Big Island wilderness camp site in Maine, Northpoint Cabin, Gateway House, Shell House), outreach (Girls of Onaway, Circle Program) and financial stability (endowment).  As Susan Hatch wrote in 2002, "...perhaps more than anything ...(has been her) relationship with campers and counselors... profound respect for each girl and, in the Onaway spirit, trusted her and challenged her to bring out the best in herself."

The current Director, Anne Conolly, took over in 2003.  Anne Conolly is no stranger to Onaway.   She was a camper from 1962 through 1966, a Cup Girl with Marilyn “Kim” Heller, in 1966, and a counselor in 1969.   Her father, Walker Peterson, served as an Onaway Trustee in the 1970's.  She was most recently Chair of the Humanities Department at Albany Academy for Girls, also known as Girls' Academy, where she has taught English for 17 years.   She served as Dean of Students for six years.   In addition, she advised the Student Council, ran the school's community service program, and served as the faculty-elected representative to the school's Board of Trustees.   Her school community, Cornell University, and the Golub Corporation, have recognized her for her teaching excellence and dedication.