Once upon a time, way over on the east coast of the United States, lies an enchanting land named New York. Now, it isn't just skyscrapers and bustling streets, oh no, it's stuffed to the gills with lush green forests, sparkling lakes, and towering mountains. And in this magical place, you’ll find a bunch of sprightly kiddos, known as the "Nature Ninjas". The leader of the Nature Ninjas is a wacky, woodland critter named "Sly Squirrel". Sly is no ordinary squirrel though, he wears bright green sneakers, a cap full of acorns, and carries a magical acorn amulet around his neck. He's as funny as a chipmunk on caffeine, and with the help of his magical amulet, he guides the Nature Ninjas on their wild escapades. These sparky kids, brimming with curiosity and donned in their favorite adventure boots, set off into the wilderness. They explore enchanted forests that whisper stories of the ancient ones, climb the mighty Adirondack mountains that try to tickle the sky, and canoe down the Hudson River, which flows like a ribbon unwinding its way through the state. They try to decode the tweets of the birds, engage in muddy wrestling matches with earthworms, and hold their breath to see if they can outdo the turtles in underwater staring contests. They often lose, though, and surface gasping, faces red as ripe apples, only to burst into peals of laughter. The Nature Ninjas and their antics make New York's woods and wilds echo with laughter and life. With their funny guide, Sly Squirrel, the kids of NY make the state’s nature, not just a place of trees and trails, but a land of laughter, learning, and endless adventures.
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.


We are thrilled to introduce Kara Hallett as the new Camp Director at 4-H Camp Owahta! Hailing from Warren Center, Pennsylvania, Kara fondly remembers the summers she spent attending camps at El Rancho de Paz (now Mapleridge Ranch) and Montrose Bible Conference. One of Kara's favorite memories from camp is playing four square with her two older sisters in the gym. She was so excited for her first year at camp that she even fell asleep on the gym floor! We are confident that Kara will bring her enthusiasm and dedication to 4-H Camp Owahta, and we are excited to have her join the camp's leadership team. We can't wait to see what amazing experiences she will create for the campers this year!