Oak Hill has Two Camps and Partners on a Third

Oak Hill Camp - a residential summer camp for Oak Hill program participants.  Program participants are children and adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, including visual impairments. 

LEEP (Low vision/blind Educational Employment Program) - is a week long program for students living in the community; campers are teens and young adults who have low vision or blindness. LEEP objectives:

• increase knowledge of assistive technology
• enhance daily living skills
• gain exposure to college life
• participate in recreational activities
• learn pre-employment interviewing techniques
• increase self-advocacy skills

Oak Hill partners with Camp Dragonfly - a one week residential summer camp for girls (ages 13-17 years) with autism spectrum disorders; Oak Hill Camp located at Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT.  For more information, please contact Linda Chamrad at lchamrad@snet.net or Net Robbins, Assistant Director, Oak Hill Community Programs at (860) 242-2274, ext. 3338 or robbinsn@ciboakhill.org

Concert at Oak Hill Camp

Blue Jupiter, a powerful pop-jazz-funk a cappella musical group from New York is scheduled to perform for our campers on July 19^th, 7:15PM-8:15PM.  Also performing will be Mike Kachuba, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who will begin with by playing the hammered dulcimer. Both concerts were made possible through a generous donation from the Young Audiences Arts for Learning Connecticut, an affiliate of VSA, The International Organization on Arts and Disability.

Camp Activities

Oak Hill Camp - recreational programs are designed to meet the needs and interests of each individual and to foster interaction in the community.  Activities offered are: 

• Swimming
• Boating
• Fishing
• Biking 
• Arts and crafts
• Sports and games
• Day trips (sporting events, restaurants and other cultural opportunities)
• Dances and socials 

LEEP Program: will focus on assistive technology education and employment; as well as recreation and socialization for young people with visual impairments

Where are the Oak Hill Camps located?

Oak Hill Camp - is located at Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Road, Waterford, Connecticut.

LEEP Program - participants utilize college dormitories on the campus of University of Hartford located in West Hartford.

Camp Dragonfly - is located at Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Road, Waterford, Connecticut.   

What are the dates of camp?

Oak Hill Camp - season runs eight weeks (June 20 through August 13, 2010); the nineth week is devoted to Camp Dragonfly and our program for youth with visual impairments, August 15-20, 2010

Sundays through Fridays; camp is not in session on Saturdays

LEEP Program - one week session, July 18-24, 2010  

How long is a camper-ship?

Oak Hill Camp - typically, each camper (an Oak Hill program participant) stays for one week with an average of 30 campers participating each week; season runs eight weeks (June through August)

Camp Dragonfly - offered as a one week camp, this year it will be August 15-20, 2010 

LEEP Program - offered as a one week camp, this year it will be July 18-24, 2010

Is there a fee to attend camp?

There is a fee to attend the Oak Hill Camp.  For more information, please call Sandra Hitchcock, administrative assistant, Oak Hill Community Programs at (860) 769-3840; or email, hitchcocks@ciboakhill.org  There are scholarships available and it is based on financial need.  For more information, please contact Maria De La Cruz, administrative assistant, Development & Communications at (860) 769-3802 or email: delacruzm@ciboakhill.org  

Oak Hill is grateful to our generous donors who provide funding for this program.  This allows teens to go FREE.  For more information please call Karin Agritelly, Coordinator, NEAT Center at Oak Hill at (860) 286-3105; email: agritellyk@ciboakhill.org or Steve Famiglietti, Manager, Blind Vocational Program at (860) 286-3100; email: famigliettis@ciboakhill.org

Camp Dragonfly - for more information, please contact Linda Chamrad at lchamrad@snet.net or Net Robbins, Assistant Director, Oak Hill Community Programs at (860) 242-2274, ext. 3338 or robbinsn@ciboakhill.org  

Oak Hill Camp

Each season we have about 250 campers (children and adults); the facility is fully accessible and is located in scenic Waterford, Connecticut, along Long Island Sound.

Cabins:

• Gender specific cabins for 4-6 campers
• Each with own bathrooms with showers
• Fully air conditioned
• All with accessible ramps that connect to other cabins
• Each cabin is staffed 24 hours/7 days a week
• Highly trained camp counselors (experienced in caring for people with disabilities)

Dining hall:

• Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks daily
• Follows each individual’s plan of care

Additional Staff: A licensed nurse, camp directors, lifeguards and swim instructors Accessible docks for swimming and boating; accessible bicycles; and accessible vans for community outings.

LEEP (Low vision and blind Educational Employment Program)

Is a week long program for students between the ages of 15-23 years who have low vision or blindness.  There is no cost to the student however space is limited. 

Some of LEEP's objectives are to increase knowledge via the use of assistive technology, enhance daily living skills, gain exposure to college life, participate in recreational activities, learn pre-employment interviewing techniques, and increase self advocacy skills.  Participants will obtain skills that will enable them to make a successful transition to adulthood. 

Participant will live on the University of Hartford campus in dormitories; dine at the university cafeteria and various restaurants in the community.  Last year, participants enjoyed recreational opportunities which included a trip to New York City, the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame - Annex location,  arts and crafts, music, computer classes and Internet navigation, and other activities in the community. 

Is transportation available?

Yes, Oak Hill Camp program participants are transported to and from camp for one week each summer.

Yes, LEEP participants will receive transportation to and from camp for the week; as well activities in the community. 

How do I get started?

Oak Hill Camp - please call Sandra Hitchcock, administrative assistant, Oak Hill Community Programs at (860) 769-3840; or email, hitchcocks@ciboakhill.org  

LEEP Program - please call Karin Agritelly, Coordinator, Oak Hill Centers at (860) 286-3105; email: agritellyk@ciboakhill.org or Steve Famiglietti, Manager, Blind Vocational Program at (860) 286-3100; email: famigliettis@ciboakhill.org