Ohana
summer program for people of all ages
Camp Overview
Ohana is one of five renowned summer camps operated by the Aloha Foundation. Ohana brings families and friends together to refresh and celebrate their ties, and build new ones with others who enjoy living simply for a time in the out-of-doors, and sharing all that nature has to offer. In the Hawaiian language, ohana means family, community, a circle of good friends, people connected. We welcome family as you define it, and we hope that you will leave Ohana strengthened and reconnected.
During week-long stays at Ohana, family campers swim, fish, canoe, kayak, and sail on Lake Fairlee. They play tennis, volleyball, and basketball on the camp’s own courts – and try their hand at archery or a variety of arts & crafts. From hiking, biking, and sightseeing excursions through the New England countryside to a relaxing time reading in a rocking chair, Ohana has it all. Summer evenings bring campfires, music making, story-telling and s’mores, amateur talent shows and spirited contra dancing, expert talks on cultural and natural history, and other community entertainment.
2025 Ohana families can register now! Check your email or contact us for more details. New family registration opens on October 21!
2026 Family Camp Dates
Arts
Pottery, mosaic tiles, nature prints, watercolors, jewelry design
Boating
Canoeing, kayaking, sailing and paddleboarding
Challenge
High ropes, climbing tower, off-site hikes
Exploring
Nature walks, gnome homes, nest hunts
Hand Work
Woodworking, leather craft, basketry
Sports
Archery, soccer, tennis, disc golf, volleyball, capture the flag
Waterfront
Swimming, water games, fishing
Wee Ones
Varied programs designed with our youngest campers in mind
Wellness
Yoga, tai chi, belly dancing
Local Attractions
Horseback riding, golf, biking
Accommodations
CABINS
Ohana’s simple, charming, and comfortably furnished cabins each contain a living room with a fieldstone fireplace, a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker (we provide the coffee, tea, and filters!), a bathroom with stall shower, and one to four bedrooms with twin beds, bunk beds, and bureaus. Pillows, sheets, blankets, and bath towels are all provided. All cabins have electricity and an open sitting porch with chairs. There are table fans and wood for the fireplace. There are no phones, TVs or hair dryers.
CABIN TENTS
Our six spacious and tall platform tents each have four twin beds, open shelves, and an end table. Pillows, sheets, blankets, and bath towels are all provided. The tents have electricity and a rechargeable lantern that provides inside lighting. Each tent also has a covered porch and chairs.
Tent guests have access to Fernhouse, a shared social cottage. Fernhouse has a fireplace with a sitting area, electricity, a coffee maker, and a refrigerator. There are no cooking facilities. Tent guests share a common bathhouse, as well as a fire pit and an open, grassy picnic table area.
Meals
During family camp, Ohana families share varied and delicious homemade breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in the camp’s classic dining hall with its grand stone fireplace and wide covered porch overlooking Lake Fairlee. Ohana’s meals are prepared with fresh produce from local farms. In fact, we source 80% of our food from New England – and half of that comes from within 100 miles of Ohana. The Ohana kitchen provides meat-free menu selections and we will do our best to accommodate your food allergy or restriction. If you have a very restricted diet, you might like to bring along your own supplements, but please keep in mind that we are a nut-free facility.
Meals are served buffet style at these times: Breakfast 8:00-9:00 am, Lunch 12:00-1:00 pm, Dinner 6:00-7:00 pm.
Main Lodge
The Main Lodge gracefully occupies the center of the upper camp. It includes a large meeting/dining area with a gorgeous central fireplace, a spacious porch, and the main kitchen. A game room and a library sit on the ground floor. The building is ADA accessible. We encourage guests to enjoy the wraparound porch with superb views of the foothills of the Green Mountains to the west and Lake Fairlee below. The lawn in front of the main house is a popular place to relax or read in one of our many Adirondack chairs.
Daily Schedule
Morning (8am-12pm)
- 8:00-9:00 am: Breakfast
- 9:15-10:30 am: First activity period
- 10:45 am-12 pm: Second activity period
- Each morning, we provide two sessions of counselor-led activities. You can sign up for one, both, or no sessions; you can do them as a family or on your own.
Afternoon (12pm-5pm)
- 12 pm-1 pm: Lunch
- 1 pm-5 pm: Open waterfront and Free Afternoons
- Families can spend time on the water swimming, boating, or sailing, or enjoy land-based fun with basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, lawn games, and a large playing field. The game room and library are open each afternoon as well. The Main Lodge provides a perfect spot to relax, with beautiful views and Adirondack chairs ideal for reading, chatting, or simply taking in the scenery. For families eager to explore beyond campus, scenic back roads and hiking trails are just minutes away, while the Green and White Mountains are only an hour’s drive. History buffs and art lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in the many quintessential New England towns nearby.
Evening (5:45pm-8pm)
- 5:45 pm: Announcements
- 6 pm-7 pm: Dinner
- 7 pm-8 pm: Evening program (these lively group activities include marionette shows, natural history presentations, storytellers, and campfires with s’mores.)
Safety & Culture
All of our practices have been developed to meet or exceed guidelines put forth by the American Camp Association (ACA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Vermont’s Department of Health. The safety of our campers, counselors, participants, and staff is our top priority.
Health & Safety
Health Forms and Coming to Camp Healthy. All campers must have a completed health form on file. This form will be available in your online account on February 1 and must be completed at least two weeks prior to your arrival. This simple health form asks for emergency contact information, a list of the participant’s allergies, dietary restrictions, mobility concerns, and any other conditions that you feel would be helpful for our staff to know. While we are able to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals, requests should be brought to our attention before or during the application process. We ask that Ohana campers review and follow the CDC’s guidance for respiratory viruses.
Medical Needs and Staff Training. Ohana staff attend pre-camp trainings that cover a wide range of topics. Counselors who are receiving advanced trainings (first aid, lifeguarding, trip leading) also attend Certification Week. Ohana does not have a camp nurse or medical staff on-site. You are responsible for your own health and medical needs. This includes transportation to and from medical care. Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center is located 25 minutes away. Ohana does keep basic first aid supplies on-site and Ohana staff are trained to assist in emergency situations.
Technology & Prohibited Items
Use of Technology at Camp. We strongly believe in connection without the use of technology. We encourage all participants to leave their phones in their cabins when possible. This is not a requirement, and we understand some health conditions rely on technology.
Staying Connected with Home. Cell service in our area is extremely limited and we do not have Wi-Fi widely available for guests. We do not permit the usage of satellite wi-fi receivers, boosters or anything similar. We have two desktop computers with internet access available for guests and we offer Wi-Fi usage in our office building as needed. There is also a guest landline available in the office. Incoming messages will be taken and delivered to you as promptly as possible. The main phone number is: 802-333-3460. We recognize the changing nature of connectivity and want to ensure you are able to disconnect as much as possible even if that means you need to connect for a moment to check on life at home.
Prohibited Items.
- Pets
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons
- All types of smoking devices (we are a smoke-free campus).
- Satellite receivers or wi-fi boosters
Miscellaneous Policies
Quiet Hours. We observe quiet hours in the cabins and on the grounds from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Being Green. We strive to reduce our carbon footprint (recycling, composting, using energy-efficient water heaters, and reusable water bottles) and appreciate your help with this goal during your stay.
Alcohol. Campers 21 and older may consume alcohol in and around their own cabins or in the dining hall with dinner.
Parking. Each cabin has a designated parking spot that corresponds to the size of the cabin. If you have additional vehicles, you can park them in the lower parking lot. Please drive cautiously and slowly in and around Ohana.
Housekeeping, Check-in, & Check-out Procedures
Check-in is from 4:00-5:00 pm for our regular camp sessions. Memorial Day Weekend Camp check-in is form 3:00 – 5:00 pm. When you arrive, please stop at the office, located on the right as you first enter the gate. Our staff will be there to greet you, get you oriented, collect a short form with your emergency contacts, and direct you to your cabin. We will gather at the Main Lodge for announcements at 5:30 pm on the first day of camp. If you plan to arrive after 5:30 pm, please phone or email us ahead of time with an estimated time of arrival. Please do not arrive early so that we can properly prepare for your arrival.
Housekeeping services are not provided during your stay, but each cabin has a broom!
Check out is by 9:00 am (10:00 am for Memorial Day Weekend Camp). It is helpful for you to tidy up your cabin after your stay: strip the beds, place the sheets and towels in pillowcases, fold the blankets, wash your dishes, and be sure to remove garbage and recycling from the cabin. A silver trashcan and recycling bin are provided on the road in front of your cabin. You are welcome to linger on campus, but cabins and tents should be empty by this time so our housekeeping crew can start cleaning for our next group of campers. Please stop by the office on your way out to say good-bye, visit the camp store, or get directions.
Let’s Connect
We offer camps and programs for people of all ages. Inquire today to learn more!