| 1898 |
Established as one of the first resident camps, to meet community needs |
| Early 1900s |
YMCA Boys’ Camp, site located near Prendergast Point |
| 1915 |
Known as Camp “Mason” |
| 1924 |
Purchased site in Dewittville, through Y Campaign, later expanded |
| 1924 |
Roy A. Wagner began 22-year tenure as Camp Director |
| 1925 |
First summer with name “YMCA Camp Onyahsa” |
| 1930–1939 |
Onyahsa serves youth through the Depression |
| 1938 |
Darrah-Hultquist Dining Hall constructed |
| 1941–1945 |
Young men from Onyahsa join Allied War effort |
| 1955 |
First permanent cabin constructed — now Dawson Cabin |
| 1962 |
Spiro G. Bello, former Onyahsa camper made Director (to 1984) |
| 1968 |
Most old tents replaced with volunteer-constructed cabins |
| 1969 |
Pioneer Side land acquired, used for nature programming |
| 1970's |
Co-educational, disabled youth, family, and school-year programs |
| 1971 |
Sheldon Program Center and Alden Lodge constructed |
| 1972 |
Vital land acquisition made through Roesser family gift |
| 1980's |
Onyahsa hosts International campers and staff |
| 1986 |
Rotary Handicapped Camp offered, Mark Eckendorf, Director |
| 1987 |
Former camper, Jon O'Brian, named Camp Director |
| 1990's |
Renewed image, growing enrollment |
| 1990 |
Increasing enrollment from diverse backgrounds |
| 1994 |
Vital land acquisition to control upper creek, new Nature Area |
| 1998–2001 |
Centennial Campaign — raised over $1.5 million for renovations |
| 2000–2001 |
Major physical development and wilderness conservation |
| 2002 |
Capacity enrollment and accredited program, group use increases |
| 2004–2005 |
Inauguration of year-round youth and family programs |
| 2005–2012 |
Addition of wilderness properties and adventure focus on 180 acres; Onyahsa is one of the three longest-established YMCA Camps in the US |
| 2012–2015 |
Increased year-round programs and site winterization construction; serving over 1,000 youth annually from a variety of backgrounds |
| 2015 |
Launch of $1.5 million Fantastic Future Fund drive to implement Master Site Plan, create Scholarship Endowment, and Facility Fund |
| 2015–2020 |
Implementation of Development Plan, winterized cabins, new lodging, year-round program venues, and increased youth camps, group use, and collaborations September-June |
| 2019-2020 |
Completion of $1.5 million Fantastic Future Capital Campaign, opening of year-round recreation center, fitness room and tent backhouses; Covid-19 Contingency programming |
| 2020 |
Safely and responsibly offered expanded youth day camp and weekend family camps during COVID pandemic |
| 2021-2022 |
Rebuilt the program post-pandemic with improvements including Day Camp Joheh-goh |
| 2023 |
Celebration of 125th anniversary milestone! |
