Where towering pines meet tomorrow’s leaders, Camp Oswegatchie provides 20 Salem Central School District students with an experience that will shape them long after the summer ends. Members of the Salem FFA Chapter from Salem, New York attended summer leadership training camp for six days in July at the State FFA Camp in the Adirondacks to develop skills to bring home and strengthen their local schools and FFA chapters.
Nestled on 1200 acres of forested woodland, Camp Oswegatchie provides leadership development and hands-on activities for more than 1,000 young people each summer. The FFA Camp at Oswegatchie Educational Center offers students a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships, and gain a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, campers participate in hands-on activities, team-building challenges, and educational experiences that foster personal growth, confidence, and a stronger connection to agriculture and the FFA mission. The camp creates an unforgettable environment where learning, adventure, and leadership come together.
While at Camp O, members of the Salem FFA Chapter participated in low ropes, high ropes, leadership education, environmental education, mountain biking, horsemanship, water activities, hiking and other camp experiences. “Coming to Oswegatchie to experience the Oswegatchie Magic has been something I have looked forward to for the last four years,” stated NY State FFA Secretary Megan Kyle. “The Oswegatchie Magic means that I get to work with hundreds of young people during this summer and connect with them through leadership development and activities. FFA and leadership are so strong in New York; it’s awesome to see!”
A summer experience at Camp Oswegatchie can be life-changing, and many previous campers come back to work as counselors or staff or support the location in other ways. Our members were able to enjoy this experience in the form of ice cream sponsored by FFA supporters, in leadership initiatives presented by State Officers, and new programs offered by talented camp staff. “Camp is a place where FFA members can come and be their authentic selves in an environment free from the day-to-day distractions that plague many teenagers. It is a place to experience nature and grow leadership," stated Todd Lighthall, Executive Director for the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation, Inc. “This facility continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of FFA youth in New York, and with continued support, we will continue to expand opportunities for the next 80 years!”
