Camp Oty'Okwa Old-Growth Forest

Camp Oty'Okwa Old-Growth Forest is a 200 acre forest found within the 737 acres of land owned by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. The forest consists primarily of older growth (80+ years) oak/hickory forst on the ridge tops and mixed mesophytic forest (20-30 different tree species) on the lower slopes and stream valley. Eastern hemlock trees are scattered along the valley sides adding to the overall tree diversity. This forest surrounds an outstanding geologic feature called Split Rocks. Here, perhaps as the result of a past earthquake, the massive Black Hand Sandstone has split into numberous large vertical slabs creating a maze-like feature on the interior. An old guardian chestnut oak growing within the maze is perhaps 200 years old.