2026 Summer Weekend at Camp Onas
Connect, create and play - Onas Camping Weekend
June 12-14, 2026Calling people of all ages and walks of life to share fun and fellowship at the ECRS summer camping weekend.
We’re excited for another fun-filled weekend at Camp Onas, a special blend of excitement, contentment, and joy.
Newcomers and ECRS veterans alike will enjoy the focus on dancing, singing, informal dramatics, crafts, or games during daytime classes. Then, at Evening Program, everyone comes together as a community to dance, sing, play games, and socialize over snacks.
ECRS welcomes folks of every race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity to build community through music, dance, art, and play.
Registrar: Gabby Frisone, registration@ecrs.org
Weekend Coordinators: Arnie Zacharias, Karen Wisnia
Questions or problems? Email Gabby (registration@ecrs.org)
Camp Onas is at 609 Geigel Hill Rd. in Ottsville, PA 18942
Come! And bring a friend!
Scroll down to register
Class descriptions
No Experience Necessary for Any Class. Click any title for a full description.
Crafts: Create Your Own Special Treasure Box (Verena Taussig)
Inspired by special papers, fabric, baubles, and beads we will repurpose containers into Magical Treasure Boxes. A wealth of materials provided but feel free to bring along those odd buttons, earrings, stickers or anything else you’ve collected over the years. This is a true trash to treasure experience!
Nature Walking in Time (Kirk Wattles)
We will explore Camp Onas, pausing here and there to recognize signs beneath our feet and from trees and other plant life that can tell us something of what’s happening over time, considering that people are now a part of the story. We now live in the Anthropocene Epoch, having made irrevocable changes at least at the surface of the planet. And life goes on. This is a rain or shine event. Plan to dress for the weather.
Games with Cups or Clapping/Tapping Games (Dan Rubin)
Using a pile of large cups, we will be playing games such as Musical Cups, Balance Tag, Balloon Cup Football, Toilet Paper Race, Human Cup Stacking, and Touch a Color. We also have our own two hands for clapping games such as The Game of Sevens, Slap Clap, Thumper Uno, Boom Snap Clap and maybe the Cup Song.
New Spins on Old Games (Dan Rubin)
Creativity can turn an old familiar game into something new and fun. Imagine Rock-Paper-Scissors with some added features or a new way of expressing it such as Infinity, Cheerleaders, Evolution, Giants-Wizards-Dwarves, Lizard-Spock, or any other game that challenges you to predict what the other player will do. But that’s not all, we will also play new versions of many other games including old worn out games like Tic Tac Toe, Charades, Bingo, and String of Pearls.
Line Dancing (Debbie Karl)
Join us to enjoy a variety of fun line dances set to Pop music, Latin, Swing, and more. All dances will be taught – no partner or experience required.
Informal Dramatics (Arnie Zacharias)
Discover the dramatic bug within you. Help create a skit. Play a dramatic game. Join in a dramatic exercise. Your imagination is all that is needed.
Free time and late night activities
Water games (Jack Marquess)
An ECRS Camp Onas tradition. Games, activities, and dances adapted for the swimming pool. Bring one to share or request a favorite! Age 5+.
Make Music Together (Bonnie Ostrofsky)
Bring your voice and/or musical instrument so we can have fun singing and playing together. Come sing even if you don’t play an instrument! You could even play a verse on a kazoo! Our new ECRS songbook has lyrics and chords that include folk, rock, funny songs, pop, ballads, and even some show tunes. Extra ukuleles will be available. All levels and ages are welcome.
Children’s Program
Children ages 5-11 (click for full description)
ECRS offers a completely integrated program for children ages 5-11 during the morning class period on both Saturday and Sunday. Many activities mirror the sense of cooperative play that ECRS is built on. Children attending the program may learn new games, create new crafts, sing silly songs, or even get the chance to share activities they have fun doing at home. Note: Children are expected to stay for the entire program, and are the responsibility of their guardians at all other times.
This program will be offered if children ages 5-11 are registered by May 31st, 2026.
Preschool (click for full description)
If you have youngsters ages 2–4, we will provide supervised play for them during the morning class period on both Saturday and Sunday. A parent or guardian must accompany the child to the Preschool Program.
This program will be offered if children ages 2-4 are registered by May 31st, 2026.
Site and accommodations
Located just 40 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles south-west of New York City, Camp Onas is a summer camp facility situated on 72 acres of woods and rolling hills, with platform tents offering cots and bunk beds. If you prefer, there is also plenty of room to set up your own tent, and a limited number of dormitory-style rooms are available at an additional cost on a first-come first-served basis (dorm rooms may hold up to 8 people). There are shared wash & shower facilities with hot water. No RV hookups. No pets. Smoking is limited to outdoors.
What to Bring
REMINDER: ECRS provides evening snacks and Saturday dinner only. You are responsible for all other meals!!!! (see Meals section at right). If you want to cook, no refrigeration is available, and open fires are not permitted.
Only a mattress is provided in dorms and platform tents, so bring a sleeping bag (or bedding) and a pillow (nights can be chilly). There are shared wash & shower facilities with hot water. No RV hookups. No pets. Smoking is limited to outdoors.
Bring a swimsuit for fun in the pool, musical instruments, a water bottle, and a cup/mug for coffee/tea (to save on disposable cups).
Don’t forget a flashlight, towel, toiletries, cooler, ice, and campstove (if you want to cook, which you don’t have to).
Covid/communicable illness policy
During the week before you come to the event, please mask when in crowded indoor spaces and monitor your health.
If you are sick, we ask you not to come.
Meals
ECRS provides dinner – Saturday night only – and snacks after the Friday and Saturday evening programs. You supply all other meals. Remember to bring plates, cups, and utensils.
Full course dinner by celebrity Chef Avraham:
From Hollywood to Ottsville PA, Chef Avraham has prepared catered meals and/or ice sculptures for Cher, Burt Reynolds, Mick Jagger, and ECRSers. A wizard with flavors, Chef Avraham has delighted Camp Onas attendees with gluten-free, vegetarian and chicken dishes.
Please Note
- ECRS events are fragrance-, drug-, and alcohol-free.
- All attendees are asked to volunteer for one hour to help the weekend run smoothly.
- Smoking is limited to the outdoors.
Rates and Registration
Camp Onas is our most affordable weekend event, with platform tents and shared hot shower rooms.
Member adult rates are $25 less.
Save $$ by registering early
Normal registration through May 31. After midnight, May 31, registration is subject to availability and a $25 late fee. Registration closes June 5, 2026.
Newcomers save, too!!
We’d love for you to come to Onas for your first taste of ECRS. Newcomers save 50% on already low prices.
Can't come for the whole weekend?
Saturday all-day option
Come for the Program for All, classes, swimming, dinner, Evening Program, Evening Sing, and Snacks!
Saturday evening-only
Includes dinner, Evening Program, Evening Sing, and Snacks!
Rates Table
- A limited number of dormitory rooms are available for an additional cost (in the Dellview and Texas buildings).
- Note that children under 2 years old are free. However, there is no childcare provided.
Rates
| Ages | Saturday evening | Saturday (all day) | Full weekend |
| 0-1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 2-13 | $30 | $60 | $80 |
| 14-15 | $30 | $125 | $160 |
| 16+ | $30 | $150 | $190 |
.
Additional charges for indoor housing
| Ages | Texas House | Dellview |
| 0-1 | $0 | $0 |
| 2-13 | $20 | $25 |
| 14+ | $45 | $55 |
.
Discounts and late fees
- Member discount: $25 off 16+ rates (except Saturday evening only)
- Newcomer discount: 50% off (except Saturday evening only)
- Late registration: $25 additional ($10 for Saturday evening only) for registration after May 31, 2026 at midnight.
Camping Weekend Refund Policy
We understand that plans can change. Here’s our refund policy for Camping Weekend:
Cancellations before June 5, 2026:
– You’ll receive a refund of your Registration fee minus a $25 cancellation fee.
Cancellations after June 5, 2026:
– No refunds are available, as we’ve already committed to Camp Onas based on our final attendance numbers.
Communicable Illness Exception
- If you need to cancel after June 5, 2026 due to a communicable illness (such as COVID-19, flu, or other contagious conditions), you’ll receive a 50% refund of your total registration.
- Please contact us as soon as possible if this situation arises.
We appreciate your understanding. This policy helps ECRS manage our financial commitments to Camp Onas while still providing flexibility when possible.
Non-discrimination Statement
ECRS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity in the administration of its admission policies or programs. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Disclaimer: By attending this event, you agree to grant ECRS the right to include photographic, video, or other audio/visual portrayals of you or your likeness in promoting ECRS without any compensation being paid to you.
Countdown to Camp Onas
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