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Camp O-AT-KA

Coordinates: 43°52′31″N 70°37′58″W / 43.8752°N 70.6328°W / 43.8752; -70.6328
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A wooded clearing next to O-AT-KA's main office building looking out on Lake Sebago

Camp O-AT-KA is a non-profit summer camp for boys in East Sebago, Maine, on the western shore of Sebago Lake. Founded in 1906 by Rev. Ernest Joseph Dennen of Lynn, Massachusetts, it is to date the oldest continuously running summer camp in the United States.[1] It began its life as the summer camp of the Order of Sir Galahad, an Episcopal church organization founded by Dennen in 1896.[2] Originally founded as an explicitly Episcopal camp, O-AT-KA allowed Jewish campers as well.[3] In the modern period, it is open to campers of all backgrounds.[4] It runs as a traditional summer camp for boys aged 7-16 and is accredited with the American Camp Association.[5]

During the off-season, O-AT-KA is also a popular venue for weddings and other events. It has been featured on Martha Stewart's website, described as making one, "feel like you stepped into a Wes Anderson film."[6]

Alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "A residential, traditional, Summer Camp for Boys in Maine founded in 1906". Camp O-AT-KA. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  2. ^ The Order of Sir Galahad, Inc. (1921). The Manual for Leaders of the Order of Sir Galahad. The Order of Sir Galahad, Inc. pp. 4–6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Wiesenberg, Charlotte, and John Turner. "The New Promised Land: Maine’s Summer Camps for Jewish Youth in the Mid-Twentieth Century." (2013)
  4. ^ "Diversity & Inclusivity". Camp O-AT-KA. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  5. ^ "Camp O-AT-KA". find.acacamps.org. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  6. ^ Martha Stewart Editors. "21 Summer Camp Wedding Venues That Are Perfect for Your Casual Celebration". Martha Stewart. Retrieved 2023-05-20. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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43°52′31″N 70°37′58″W / 43.8752°N 70.6328°W / 43.8752; -70.6328