OVY Camp
Optimist Volunteers for Youth
5360 La Honda Rd
San Gregorio, CA 94074
Location
Located on the central coast of California, OVY camp is just off scenic Highway 1 just north of Santa Cruz and just South of Half Moon Bay. It is an easy excursion from most neighborhoods of the greater Bay Area. For those who are flying in, SFO airport is the most convenient but SJC and OAK are next best.

Where to Sleep
Camp Accommodations
Sleeping accommodations at Camp are at no cost to our guests. Sure, they are a bit rustic, maybe no 5-star luxury here, but we hope it's a key part of the fun! Read about all your accommodation options and be sure to go to the FAQ section below for more details about beds, bathrooms and electricity. Then, let us know in the RSVP questionnaire which option you choose.
Option 1: Shared Cabin This should be called option Fun! For the ultimate sleep-away camp experience we recommend asking D&D for your personalized cabin assignment in Cabin Village. Those who choose to room with other fun-lovers will share a cabin that can accommodate up to 8 (though it’s unlikely they will be this full) and are complete with bunk beds and lanterns. Flush toilets and sinks are just a short walk away. C’mon, be a sport… its only a night or two! Yes, you can request bunk mates in the RSVP questionaire.
Option 2: Tent camping. Pitch your tent and sleep under the stars in one of the designated camping area near Cabin Village. Bring your own gear & bedding, choose your site and set up camp, then park in a nearby approved parking area.
Option 3: RV/Trailer. For those of you with a rolling retreat on wheels, there are a limited number of sites for R.V./Travel Trailer or Vanlife. RSVP with the details/size of your rig to get the right site assignment as there are some restrictions. No hook ups.
Option 4: Counselor Dorm. For our Silver or Golden Age campers or those who may need more accessibility, the ‘Willow Glen Lodge’ has some added amenities, like electricity! Space is very limited, RSVP ASAP if this is a more suitable option for you or someone traveling with you. These are shared rooms of 3 beds each with shared bathrooms off the dorm hallway. There is also indoor common space for resting and a small kitchen.
Option 5: Off-Camp Lodging. This is for our guests who are certain they need more creature comforts or just want to be day campers. There are plentiful off-camp hotel accommodations to choose from. Please self motivate and book something nearby. Look to nearby Half Moon Bay (≈15 mi.) or deluxe coastal retreat Costanoa (≈20 mi) or consider the Santa Cruz region . Note: There are no pre-reserved rooms . There will not be a transportation shuttle provided.
Around
San Gregorio
Coastal Redwood Region
EAT & DRINK
Visit charming Duarte’s Tavern in nearby Pescadero (12 mi distance) or check out one of the small taquerias there. Half Moon Bay (15 mi distance) has all the options of a medium sized city including cheap eats, fine dining and grocery stores.
EXPLORE
The central coast is dotted with beautiful State Beaches including nearby Pomponio Beach. State Parks worth visiting are: The Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Ano Nuevo Beach. Butano State park has great hiking. Lots of small farms are nestled about this area as well.

FAQ
*
FAQ *
Frequently Asked Questions…
-
Yes, there are plenty of bathrooms at Camp. They are complete with flush toilets and there are sinks with running water. Cabin Village area has toilets close by as does the tent camping site near there.
-
Yes, you can count on washing off the camp dust or salty sea water in one of 3 different shower buildings. They even all have hot water! Some are right in the Counselor’s Dorm (aka Willow Glen lodge) One by Scheid Hall and one by the pool area. NOTE: From the Cabin Village the shower house is a little walk, so you might be happier if you packed yourself a little kit for your shower goodies, and maybe a robe or flip flops if you really want to be prepared.
-
No! Well, actually they do have one overhead light illuminating the room, but there are no outlets.
-
Near the camping/cabin area there is one different style cabin, with a porch hangout area, that does have multiple outlets and this will be the charging station. You could also pack a portable charger if you have one.
-
Most definitely bring your own bedding if you are choosing to sleep in a cabin or counselor dorm (aka Willow Glen Lodge). Pack sheets (twin size), pillow and blanket/comforter. Or if you prefer you could just pack a sleeping bag. The beds in the cabins and lodge don’t have anything but a camp mattress and its maybe not hotel quality….after all this is Summer Camp but you could always bring along an additional padded mat to sleep on.
-
You betcha! D&D are putting on their finest threads for Saturday afternoon/eve. We hope you feel like playing dress up too and getting spiffy. So yeah let’s all dress to impress for that night. We encourage vintage, gender bending, bright colors, old time-y or even black tie formal if you really feel like notching it up. Do keep in mind suitable footwear is the best choice as this is a camp (not a hotel or resort) and we will be outdoors for the ceremony and walking un-paved/uneven surfaces to get between camp event areas.
-
Camp is sprawling and there are many areas with uneven ground. There will be an on-campus golf cart shuttle with driver included for transport within the camp for anyone needing a lift between areas or events.
-
Wish we knew, but this is a rain or shine event! There are plenty of indoor areas to be in so we will take our chances in the event of inclement weather. Dress in layers as coastal California can go through all the seasons in the course of one day. Besides the wedding night, the rest of the weekend you will want to wear casual camp appropriate clothing to be ready for whatever nature pitches us.
-
Well, no. Come for as little or as much of the weekend as you would like to. Perhaps you are just not into these long drawn out wedding celebrations or your schedule just doesn’t have room for this and thats fine! Aren’t you glad you know what you like and don’t like? If that describes you, then just come for the ceremony and stay for a little or all of the reception. We’ll be so glad to have you for any or all of the weekend. Do what feels right for you.
-
No, the facility does not permit pets of any kind.
-
Cell coverage is pretty good for AT&T, so so for Verizon, and poor for T Mobile. Wifi is not available so bring a hot spot or ask yourself if you really need Wifi???? Come on, it’s camp!
-
This would be a good idea. I know, you will now say “But I have a light on my cell phone!” . Ok, sure but it can drain the phone battery swiftly and you might want the phone to stay charged up for taking photos, right? So we recommend a secondary light source like a flashlight, headlamp or mini LED lantern. Scout motto is “Be prepared”. All That said, it will be a full moon weekend, so the natural illumination will be wonderful for walking around in the night.
-
There is no electric car charging port on site.
-
We sure hope not. We’re hosting all camp meals which should be tasty and filling. In the RSVP let us know which meals you will attend as a diner. There will also be self serve coffee, tea and snacks available in between camp meals.
-
The water at Camp is safe to drink and tastes good too. It is untreated well water which is tested regularly for purity. All the taps, sinks and showers are the same source which is safe and potable.
-
Yeah, if you want to DIY some of your own food and snacks thats ok. There is an industrial kitchen in the main hall that has refrigeration, cookware and dishes to use. But this will also be in full production to host the meals for all our guests so it could be busy at times.
-
Camp allows beer and wine only. Absolutely no hard alcohol or liquor please. No underage drinking is permitted or we will hafta shut down the party!
-
The rules state clearly there is absolutely no smoking of any kind (including vaping) in any buildings or in front of any entrances. You may smoke in designated areas only and you must dispose of stubbed out butts in specified receptacles as they should never be left on the ground or we will be fined for each butt found. Be fire safe please!
-
D&D (as well as many of our guests) are really sensitive to fragrances so please save your colognes, perfumes, body sprays, lotions etc for a different party. Thanks ya’ll.
-
Bedding - twin fitted sheet, pillow and comforter or blankets
Good clothes for casual hanging out and playing
Layers for coastal unpredictabllity ie: fog, drizzle, scorching sun
Good shoes for outdoors, hiking, or the beach
Assorted towels: for creek, for beach, for sink and for showering
Non flammable lantern, flashlight or head lamp
Toiletries and getting spiffy stuff
SPF sunblock, hat, sunglasses
Water bottle - refillable and reusable! No single use plastic please.
Camping gear for tent campers
Musical instrument and favorite camp song
Cute outfits to be seen in
Swimming stuff if you wanna take a dip in creek or ocean
Pajamas/Robe for that quick trip to camp bathroom in the middle of the night.
Bandana, cuz they’re cute and handy too
Bottle of wine or some beer to share with others on Friday night if you’re joining us for Camp dinner
Jeez what else….um….craft making supplies, scouting stuff, Don’t forget to sew your name into each item of clothing, bird I.D. book. Maybe stationery to write a letter, Hello muddah , hello faddah…see video link below if you want a blast from the past.