New Family Registration Process

Interested in Summer 2027?

Follow the three simple steps below

Prospective Camper Form – Filling out this form is how you receive all of the information you need about open houses, enrolling, and more. If you are ready to enroll and have not yet filled it out, you start here.
Video Call – Once our office receives your Prospective Camper Form, we will be in touch to schedule a video call with you and your camper. This call is an opportunity to learn more about our program and ask questions. Our families find this an important step in determining if Onaway is a good fit for your camper. (See eligibility criteria below for more information)
Registration – After the video call, you will be sent a registration link to finalize the enrollment. process.

Helpful Timeline for Enrollment

   October 1: Returning Camper Registration Opens – look for an email from camp!
        November 1: New Camper Registration Opens
        Early December: Tuition assistance applications emailed to families.
       January 1: Tuition assistance applications due.
January 15: Last day for tuition deposit refund.
        February 15: Tuition assistance grants shared with families.
        April 1: Tuition due (families may request a payment plan).
        May 1: Forms due for ALL campers.

Rolling Registration and Waitlist

Registrations are accepted throughout the year, but most families apply in the fall. Preference is given to returning campers and then on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early registration is recommended! A waiting list is maintained as soon as the spaces for the summer are filled.

2027 Rates & Dates

SESSION

7 Week Full Session

3 Week Wendies Session 1

3 Week Wendies Session 2

3 Week OWLE Program

DATES

June 26 – August 15, 2027

June 26 – July 18, 2027

TBD

TUITION

$12,200

$7,600

Tuition

Tuition covers all program expenses including trips and laundry service. We collect an additional $150 to cover camper specific incidentals (trunk rentals, camp store purchases, airport shuttles, etc.). Any unused portion will be returned or can be donated. We require a $1,000 deposit (fully refundable through January 15, 2027) to secure your child’s space at the time of registration.

Tuition covers approximately 70% of each camper’s summer. The generosity of alumni, parents, and friends and Onaway’s endowment covers the remaining 30%.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance Applications will be emailed in December if requested in the registration process, and awards are issued in mid-February. As of mid-February tuition assistance funds have been fully distributed. Families may still request assistance should new funds become available. Approximately 30% of the campers receive financial aid each summer. If you have questions, please contact Barrie Pendergast, Camp Director.

Camper Eligibility

Please read the Essential Eligibility Criteria for Onaway Campers. Your child may be ready for Onaway if they can do the following:

Communicate needs and concerns verbally with others
Understand and follow directions given by staff
Refrain from unsafe and/or harmful behaviors toward self and others (including self-harm)
Identify and avoid health/safety risks
Feel comfortable living in a simple, rustic, outdoor environment (e.g. no air-conditioning, varying weather conditions, insects/animals, grass/dirt/mud)
Follow a varied individual schedule. Even our youngest campers travel from one activity to another on their own. A counselor will always be waiting for them at the next location.
Transition from one activity to the next throughout the day
Assume responsibility for personal hygiene at a developmentally appropriate age level
Independently manage activities of daily living including toileting and bathing.
Maintain proper nutrition and hydration from the food offered at camp
Adapt to a group living environment with some time alone
Demonstrate age-appropriate social and emotional skills in managing personal boundaries, relationships, communication, stress, and conflict
Manage the sensory stimulation of an at-times loud and energetic group environment (especially in the dining hall during meals)
Participate fully in all scheduled activities and programs
Behave in ways that contribute positively to the Onaway community
Embrace and celebrate differences within the Onaway community

Please note that we are unable to provide consistent one-on-one support for campers throughout the seven weeks and that our health center is equipped to help campers with their daily health needs such as medication administration and first aid. Families of campers with unique needs should be in touch with the director prior to registration to be sure our staff can fully care for each camper.

Camp Onaway does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or any other protected class in all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the Camp or in any of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other Camp administered programs.