Onteora Alumni Association
25th Anniversary Waterfront Fundraising Campaign
Honoring 70 Years of Onteora Scout Reservation
Dear Onteora Alumni, Friends, and Supporters,
As we celebrate two remarkable milestones—the 25th anniversary of the Onteora Alumni Association (OAA) and the 70th anniversary of Onteora Scout Reservation (OSR)—we reflect on the experiences, friendships, and traditions that have shaped generations of Scouts. These anniversaries are more than numbers; they represent decades of lives changed, skills learned, and memories forged in the campsites, trails, and lake we cherish.
In honor of this special year, the OAA Board of Directors is proud to announce a major commitment:
A $70,000 donation to the Theodore Roosevelt Council for the purchase of a brand-new swim dock at Orchard Lake.
This investment will replace a dock that is several decades old and increasingly difficult and costly to maintain—one with sharp metal edges and persistent safety concerns. The new dock will be state-of-the-art, modular, and designed for fast assembly (about one hour). Most importantly, it will provide a safe, reliable, and modern aquatic experience for Scouts for the next 30+ years.
But we are not stopping there.
Introducing the 25th Anniversary Waterfront Campaign
To complement the new dock, we are launching a fundraising effort to help create a reimagined, modern, and fully equipped waterfront at OSR. Our goal is to raise an additional $25,000, in honor of the OAA’s 25th anniversary.
These funds will be used to:
- Upgrade and expand the boating fleet (sailboats and paddleboards)
- Purchase stand up paddleboard paddles
- Purchase lifeguard and water safety equipment (rescue tubes, rescue boards, etc.)
- Provide shade structure enhancing the training area, building stronger aquatics skills
Every donation—large or small—directly improves the safety, quality, and joy of the aquatic program that has defined summers at OSR for decades.
Donor Recognition Levels
Swimming — $100
Water Sports — $250
Lifesaving — $500
Mile Swim — $1,000
Water Sports — $250
Lifesaving — $500
Mile Swim — $1,000
Donors will be recognized publicly by the OAA for their support of this anniversary campaign and will receive a specially designed patch honoring their donor level.
The campaign will run from January 2026 through June 2026, providing TRC with the time needed to purchase, prepare, and install equipment before the 2026 summer camp season begins.
As we look ahead to another generation of Scouts discovering the magic of Onteora, we hope you will join us in strengthening a place that has given us all so much. Your generosity will ensure that the 2026 campers—and thousands more in the years to come—experience a safe, inspiring, and unforgettable waterfront program.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and for your enduring commitment to preserving the legacy of Onteora Scout Reservation.
