Need contact hours for CEU’s or just want to have some fun? Come to the Summer EECO #2 Tour at Camp Oty'Okwa in the beautiful Hocking Hills!
Summer EECO Tour at Camp Oty’Okwa, Hocking Hills
Saturday, August 8th 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
30-person limit – ages 8 and up
Participants will be able to hike one of the private trails at Camp Oty’Okwa and explore Counselor’s Cave. All hiking experience levels welcome! The Counselor’s Cave trail is a 0.72 miles (roundtrip) moderate trail with some incline and steps down to the Cave.
Camp Oty’Okwa is owned and operated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. Located on nearly 800 private forested acres in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio and operating since 1942, Camp Oty’Okwa offers mission-based programming including summer and weekend camps, as well as environmental education programming for schools and youth-serving organizations. Camp is also available year-round to accommodate rental groups of all sizes.
Sandstone is the bedrock of all the beautiful features here at Camp Oty’Okwa and the Hocking Hills Region. Our specific sandstone is known as Black Hand Sandstone and is composed of medium-to-coarse grained sandstone with thin layers of small white quartz pebbles. These pebbles originated from the igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Acadian Highlands, a precursor to the Appalachian Mountains! During the last ice age, glaciers covered much of northern North America, including much of Ohio. When the ice reached its maximum extent around 26,000 years ago, it never covered the Hocking Hills area, but it got close. When the glaciers receded North, weathering and erosion formed the caves and exposed bedrock forming unique rock formations.
Agenda:
10:00 a.m. Meet at the Dining Hall, park at the parking spots along Purcell Road or by Coultrap Lodge (see map of Camp Oty’Okwa)
10:30 a.m. Guided hike to Counselor’s Cave. Along the way, we’ll discuss the history of Camp Oty’Okwa, learn about the unique geology of the Hocking Hills, and the plants and animals that call this region home.
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Wrap up at the Cave, hike back up to the Dining Hall
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Enjoy your packed lunches at the picnic tables in the field or in the Dining Hall. There are also close dining options such as Grandma Faye’s or the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Optional self-guided hike to Split Rocks on the Old Growth Forest Trail. Camp Oty’Okwa’s only public trail.
Please wear closed toe shoes appropriate for walking on a moderate trail and dress for the weather. Bring water and a packed lunch (fridge space is available in the Dining Hall if food needs to be kept cold). Wear bug spray and sunscreen.
Map of Camp Oty’Okwa
24799 Purcell Rd, South Bloomingville, OH 43152
Questions? Contact Anna Haught, ahaught@bbbscentralohio.org / 614.588.6345
EECO offers contact hour certificates to use for CEUs with professional development committees.
