OVY stands for Optimist Volunteers for Youth. We are a non-profit associated with Optimist International, an service club organization with almost 3000 clubs in more than 20 countries.
Optimist Clubs believe in core values and the transformative power of hope, positive thinking, and action. Optimist International’s Mission is that by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.
Who We Are
Our Mission
To make overnight camp affordable for all Bay Area Youth.
At OVY Camp, we provide youth with a safe, FUN, and educational summer camp experience while offering character building opportunities and promoting service, volunteerism, and leadership with the community.
Our Vision
For all Bay Area youth, regardless of their current financial situation, to grow up with a summer camp community to return to each year for the rest of their lives.
Our History
In the 1930s and 1940s, OVY was owned by a newspaper called the San Francisco Call-Bulletin. The camp was used as a reward for its newspaper boys.
In 1952 the camp was turned over to the Optimist Clubs of the San Francisco Bay Area, to be run as a camp for disadvantaged youth.
Originally called Boysville, the name was changed to Girls & Boysville in 1970, and then Optimist Volunteers for Youth (OVY) in 1975.
We Welcome All
We work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
