For Youth

Adventure Academy

     At Adventure Academy we strive to ensure that each child leaves camp with long lasting memories of adventure, discovery and friendship. We promote an environment where it is safe to try new things, gain outdoor skills and develop leadership traits. Our Adventure Academy program has been developed by educators and experiential education professionals. We are dedicated to providing your child with experiences that will challenge him/her in a nurturing environment. We maintain a 10-1 student-staff ratio, so your child will be assured individual attention.
     Days are filled with activities that incorporate hiking, environmental education and outdoor skills with team-building adventure activities such as a high ropes course, climbing wall, pamper pole and ravine crossing. Other highlights include swimming, archery and crafts. Junior Frontier groups spend three nights, learn basic backpacking skills and go on an offsite rappelling experience. We provide lunch daily; dinner and breakfast is provided on the overnights.

SNAP Camp

♥Learn basic camera and digital photography skills
♥Participate in hands-on activities that teach artistic framing, lighting and photo composition
♥Build portfolios of portrait, nature, action and documentary photos
♥Enjoy traditional camp activities including hiking & swimming
♥Display their photos for families on our Gallery Night

Summer Youth Empowerment Program (SYEP)

For Adults

The Leadership and Challenge Center

     Whether it’s team building, improving company morale or the need to get away from the office for the day, the professional staff at Camp Mary Orton can custom design an experience to meet the needs of your company or groups. We have helped thousands of teams, ranging from school classrooms to corporate executives experience change and growth through our adventure-based activities. Using both the indoor and outdoor facilities, teams and companies have utilized the unique programming provided by the experienced staff to improve their overall level of performance. Clients hae included AEP, Cardinal Health, Huntington Bank, nationwide Insurance, Limited Brands and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
     Ground Initiatives. An initiative is an activity which requires physical and mental cooperation among a group of individuals in order to solve a task. Among the primary values of initiative activities are group cohesion, trust, communication and problem solving skills that result from attempting a solution. Consider initiative events as a metaphor for the ways an individual approaches life. Following each attempt, the group is given an opportunity to discuss and analyze their experience.
     High Ropes Course. Whether indoors or outdoors, this high energy activity promotes expanding comfort zones with obstacles ranging from 20 to 50 feet from the ground. Each participant experiences the challenge of height and risk differently. How team members support one another on the ropes course can be a good indicator of how they support one another while involved with the team outside Camp Mary Orton. Team building occurs as people look out for each other’s physical safety, share ideas as to how obstacles can be overcome and create a positive environment of support.

Adventure Elements

     Another option for promoting team growth in a fun and creative way is through the use of our Adventure Elements. Activities such as the Climbing Wall, Ravine Crossing, Giant’s Ladder or Pamper Pole will give your group an exhilarating experience that will boost individual self-concept, push comfort zone limitations, and provide support to one another. All activities are facilitated by certified Camp Mary Orton staff. Safety briefing’s and training on equipment are critical components of every adventure activity.

     Climbing Wall - Indoor and outdoor climbing walls are available at Camp Mary Orton. These are constructed walls, scaled using our safety equipment and instruction.

     Ravine Crossing – A zip line in the woods, suspended over a natural wooded ravine.

     Giant’s Ladder – A dynamic ladder sized for a giant! You’ll need a partner to successfully complete this since the rungs get farther apart as you go up the ladder.

     Pamper Pole – The challenge is courage as the participant climbs to the top of a utility pole, jumps from a suspended bar and is “caught” by our safety system.

Wilderness Bond

     Wilderness Bond is an outdoor adventure based program that uses experiential activities to facilitate individual and team growth. Self-esteem, problem solving, communication, trust, and conflict resolution are just some of the essential skills that program participants gain.
     Wilderness Bond provides a creative learning environment that combines adventure education and social work facilitation to improve the essential skills required to achieve success at home, in school or work, and throughout life.
     Multi-day programs are custom designed to meet the needs of middle school and high school classrooms as well as teen and adult therapeutic groups.
     The mission of Wilderness Bond is to provide therapeutic adventure opportunities that strengthen essential life skills for at-risk populations. Wilderness Bond utilizes adventure activities in an intentional way to promote change and growth for participants. Interventions engage clients with a strengths-based, holistic approach to developing positive coping skills, gaining self awareness and learning to solve problems cooperatively. This program works in collaboration with other social service agencies to provide social skill building and clinical services. Agencies can use Wilderness Bond services for group, family and individual therapy, subcontracted clinical services, onsite and offsite programs and multi-day expedition trips.

     I am so happy to welcome you to Camp Mary Orton! We have been serving children and families for 100 years! Camp Mary Orton now exists to serve children, families, schools, churches and corporate groups. We are nicely situated on 167 wooded acres in the city of Columbus.

     Within our green space we have a rustic lodge that seats 250 people, pavilions scattered across the property for gathering and activities and programs, indoor and outdoor high ropes courses and many adventure activities. Feel free to explore Camp using the navigation to the right. Thank you for your interest in Camp Mary Orton!

Sincerely,
Marci Ryan, Director