Pyoca The Now
Pyoca, located adjacent to Jackson-Washington State Forest in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, is jointly
owned and operated by the Ohio Valley and Whitewater Valley Presbyteries. Daily camp activities are held outdoors,
utilizing the 65 wooded acres. The 21-acre lake is also the setting for many camp activities. Meals and some of
the evening/rainy day activities take place in the camp's lodge. Three modern cabins accommodate 20 campers and 4
adults and feature a meeting room and kitchenette. The three rustic cabins accommodate 16 campers and 4 adults.
All of the cabins are equipped with bunk beds, showers, toilets, sinks and electricity. The chapel, where many of
the worship services are held, is located next to the lake. Nestled in the woods and overlooking the lake,
volleyball court and recreation field is an open-sided craft barn. The pavilion is also a meeting place
with a small fire circle and picnic area.
The camp can accommodate up to 98 persons in the winter and up to 163 persons during the summer months.
A variety of recreational activities including hiking, basketball, volleyball, swimming, canoeing, picnicking,
horseshoes, a climbing tower, a high ropes course and initiatives make it a great place for every camper.
Pyoca: The History in Brief
In 1952, the original property was purchased to create a camp that was owned by the Synod of Indiana. In
addition to this property, the synod was operating Camp Kosciusko at Winona Lake. Due to deteriorating facilities,
that camp was sold in the early 60's, and Camp Pyoca was turned over to the Whitewater Valley Presbytery and Ohio
Valley Presbytery in 1977. The camp is still owned by Whitewater Valley Presbytery and operated through a joint
agreement between the two Presbyteries. Pyoca is now a year round facility with a year round Executive Director,
Program Director, Site manager, and part time kitchen staff. The main priority is still the summer program which
has grown to 15 summer staff, and volunteers that make each week an individual experience.
Core Values
Provide Christian faith development:
- Through opportunities for daily devotion (personal and group).
- Through opportunities for reflecting on the individual's faith journey.
- Through quality Christian role modeling by volunteer and summer staff.
- Through opportunities for sharing statements of faith, experiences and ideas.
- Through opportunities for individuals to ask questions - and have them answered.
Provide personal growth and understanding:
- Through opportunities to expand horizons and try new activities including interactive Bible study,
leadership development and small group discussions.
- Through discussion opportunities that challenge participants' thinking and beliefs.
Provide leadership development:
- Through opportunities for individuals to assume leadership roles in all areas of camp that are applicable.
- Through appropriate Christian role modeling.
- Through opportunities to take "safe" risks, and support of each other whether the risk succeeded or failed.
- To enable campers and staff to ask questions and explore new ways of thinking about and doing things.
- Through opportunities to learn different leadership styles.
Provide life skill appreciation:
- Through acknowledging that people learn in different ways and provide a range of learning opportunities which
can develop life-long skills, (i.e. crafts, out-of-doors appreciation, financial management, and vocational
discernment.) [Multiple intelligence theory].
- Through developing teamwork, communication and mutual appreciation of other people's skills.
- Through helping campers and staff to discover, experience, and respond to God's call to service.
Provide appreciation for God's creation:
- Through a variety of experiential outdoor activities that develop an appreciation of God's world through Christian
stewardship that enhances and protects the local and global environment.
- Through helping campers and staff develop environmentally friendly behaviors, such as reduce, reuse, and recycle
Accept people as they are:
- Through programs that welcome and encourage diversities of background, ability or culture.
- Through relational experiences that allow diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to work and live together.
- Through affirming the infinite worth of all God's children.
Pyoca. how it was named
A group of junior high girls counseled by Irene Johns came up with the name, Pyoca P=Presbyterian, yo= youth, ca=camp.
The same girls wrote the song set to the Ash Grove.
Pyoca Song
- Pyoca, Pyoca your memories will linger
- Of worship and laughter, the things that we love
- Whenever we think of the days that we spend here, We think of a spirit, and a love that is dear.
- Pyoca, Pyoca the lake and the cabins,
- The Lodge and the chapel are all parts of thee.
- Pyoca, Pyoca, your name duly honored,
- We'll always remember P-Y-O-C-A