What Makes Falcon Camp the Best Ohio Summer Camp

It’s hard to put this into words. Here’s what I can tell you. I have been going to Falcon since I was 10. Dave, the owner and director, started at camp when he was 8 (I won’t say how many years ago that was). Nici, my co-assistant director, has been around since before she was born. Her dad was a counselor with Dave, and still comes to visit on weekends. Nici started as a camper when she was 5, became a counselor, unit leader, activity head, and finally, assistant director. I mention these things not to show you how experienced the administration at Falcon is, but because these stories aren’t unique. The person running canoeing? He’s been coming since he was 8. The British counselor running crafts? This is her 5th summer. That 12 year old, who is staying for 6 weeks? 5 years.   When you get to camp, you want to stay. If you are new, you will find that you fit in easily and quickly, and feel as though you belong before lunch on the second day.

I wish I could tell you the secret. It’s in the water! It comes from the trees! But it’s none of those things. If it truly was tangible, I’d bottle it in a second and become a millionaire. The truth is that Falcon is designed to create lasting friendships, build independence, teach skills you don’t develop as well elsewhere, and all of these things make for a place that young people want to keep coming back to, and parents want to continue sending their children.

Falcon’s specialness begins with our staff. Many of our staff are homegrown, meaning they started at camp when they were campers and have grown up in our programs. They know how to make someone feel special on an opening day. They know the magic a pre-breakfast canoe across the lake can have on their cabin because one of their counselors did it for them. Because of that, they are always willing to go the extra mile for their campers. The rest of our staff are hand-picked from many different organizations who specialize in summer staff. Our staff are highly specialized in their activity of choice, and highly trained by us and others to be caring, invested mentors. We hire only the best, and it makes for a great start.

Next comes our facility. Falcon is located on 15 acres in the middle of the woods on an 8-mile lake, with an additional 130 acres of farmland for our horses and for overnights. Our main camp is down a 1.5 mile road through the woods, so to get to us, you have to be looking. On our main camp, we have everything you need–a dining hall, cabins and showers/restrooms, stables, riding rings, archery, riflery, crafts, drama, softball and soccer fields, gaga and basketball courts, waterfront with swimming and boat harbors, and more. We are not a “country club” camp, with marble countertops and heated floors, but neither are we living fully in the elements. Sure, sometimes you get a little wet and muddy, but those are usually the best days! I tell you about the facility because, in addition to all the amazing activities, one of the best parts about camp is what isn’t there: no cell phones, no television, no Instagram, no running to the mall, nothing. While some of you (parents and campers alike) might be nervous right now, I have to tell you that it is the most relaxing time you’ll ever have. Being tethered to your cell phone is stressful (and studies show, not good for you!) Taking 2 or 4 weeks out of your summer and just hanging out with your friends, going sailing, playing mud soccer, is the best. I promise, your camper will stay in touch. We write lots of letters.

Finally, Falcon campers. The last and most important part of what makes camp special. We have a rule at camp:  You don’t have to like everyone, but you do have to be nice. We think this rule is very important. For the most part, we all like everyone. But of course, there are always people you don’t like for some reason, someone you just don’t get along with. We’re ok with that. You just have to be nice. At Falcon, our campers take this seriously. If someone isn’t being nice, they call each other out. This creates an environment of positive interactions all around camp.

Our program is also designed to help campers develop greater senses of independence, problem-solving, and self-confidence. Because campers have the opportunity to make lots of choices every day, from what activities they will go to, to what they are going to eat for lunch, they have greater independence when they leave. We also hold every camper responsible for maintaining their own area within the cabin, and completing chores around the unit together as a cabin. Being responsible for a part of a whole, which contributes to how successfully everyone lives together, makes our campers feel good about the “chores” they are completing, and makes them feel that they can accomplish a lot on their own. We often hear from parents that after camp, their children are suddenly more helpful around the house, and excited about making beds, clearing the table, and so on.

When living in a small area like a cabin, problems naturally arise among friends. “He took my book!” “She said she doesn’t like me!” All of this is normal, and the great news is that we are used to handling these situations. We believe in teaching our campers to work through a lot of these problems with our guidance. Oftentimes, the “problem” isn’t really a problem at all (99 times out of 100, the book is found under a bed). Regardless, the value is in learning how to work through the problem and maintain friendships.

Our awards system, honed and fine-tuned through our many years of existence, is meant to not only teach our campers specific skills like canoeing, building a fire, auditioning for a play, etc, but also how to learn new things, as well as give them the confidence to try those new things. As a seven year old Robin, they may not earn an official Archery award, but we will celebrate the first time they hit the target by announcing it in Formation. We probably won’t do that for a 13 year old Hawk, but we will certainly give them the coaching and guidance so that they will most likely earn the award, and that we will celebrate on Awards Night. When a camper earns their Falconer (the highest award possible) in any activity, they get a special award, specific to that activity and to that camper, and let me tell you, there is no better feeling. We have a special award called a Highflyer that is so special, you don’t get to take it home. Awarded every four weeks to the best and most improved in each activity (a maximum of three campers from each unit can receive it), Highflyers are put up in the Dining Hall for everyone to look at and recognize. They date back to the beginning of camp. I can tell you how many I received in my time. When alumni visit camp, it’s one of the first things they look for. Receiving a Highflyer is a huge confidence boost. It is something to strive for. Camp makes you feel good about yourself, and that’s why both our campers and our staff want to keep coming back. When a camper leaves camp, they leave knowing that not only have they had fun, but also that they have grown. That’s what makes Falcon Camp special.

-Tali Cornblath, Assistant Director