Saint Andrew’s Camp is owned and operated by The Orthodox Charitable and Educational Foundation (OCEF). The OCEF was created in 1956, to remove the responsibility of camp operation from the local St Peter & Paul Church in Syracuse and to allow for more widespread contributions from supporters across the greater New York area and beyond. The OCEF is composed of volunteers from all across the northeast United States. The OCEF is a non-profit 501(c)3 New York State Corporation.
Over the years The OCEF has fostered the spiritual upbringing of youth and the Christian education of all. The OCEF has provided seminary scholarships, pan-Orthodox religious education facilities and summer camping programs for both American and foreign students, and opportunities to engage in fellowships through retreats and other gatherings.
The current and only focus of the OCEF is the St. Andrew’s Camp program.Saint Andrew’s Camp is among few multi-week overnight summer camping program within the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Operating the camp is a challenging but rewarding missionary endeavor entailing time, resources and energy.
As such, the OCEF relies on the support and generosity of many. Teachers, bankers, cooks, lawyers, psychologists, business people, librarians, nurses, administrators, counselors, doctors, painters, musicians, farmers, clergy and so forth are numbered among our members. If you are not already part of OCEF please consider contributing your talents and resources and become part of this wonderful body of developers, supporters and sustainers!
OCEF Membership
Ongoing volunteer positions and roles are available for the off-season in the form of supporting administrative work (communications, mailings, and program preparation), maintenance and clean-up on the SAC premises, and outreach at parishes and through fundraisers.
Membership on the Foundation demonstrates a sustained and dedicated commitment to serving the camp and the Church. OCEF members support the camp in the following ways:
- Participation in the annual and semi-annual foundation meetings
- Committee participation
- Off-season administrative support (communications, mailings, program preparation)
- Securing grants and donations
- Sponsoring fundraisers
- Sponsoring scholarships
- Raising awareness at local parishes
For official foundation membership, please download the OCEF Membership Application or the Volunteer Registration Form below and return it by e-mail at saintandrewscamp@aol.com or (617) 437-5491.
You will be contacted shortly after your submission to discuss areas where you can share your interest and skill set in support of the camp’s needs on committees, projects, or off-season activities.