About Us

Welcome to Sparrow’s Oak

Welcome to Sparrow’s Oak, where faith takes root and love shelters every child.

We are a faith-based, day camp ministry offering joyful Orthodox Christian Summer experiences for children ages 5–14.

Sparrow’s Oak is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization started by the Korkatzis Family on January 18, 2022. We are now an adopted ministry of the parishes we serve. We run licensed summer camps.

This Orthodox Christian ministry also creates materials, study guides, resources, and courses for youth Bible study and Church School.

Mission

Sparrow’s Oak has a mission with a clear goal — to lead today’s youth to the love of Christ in the Orthodox Tradition through Day Camps, taking a Pan-Orthodox inclusive approach.

Parish Ministry

Sparrow’s Oak Day Camp has grown from a network of parish partnerships into an official ministry within each Orthodox parish in which we serve. This transition strengthens our foundation in faith and community, ensuring that every program we offer reflects Orthodox values and directly supports parish life.

Our camp continues to welcome children ages 5–14 from our Orthodox community, providing a nurturing and safe environment where they can grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually while forming lasting friendships. Through wholesome fellowship, creative programs, and faith-centered activities, we help each child recognize their God-given worth and discover their place in the family, community, and world.

Hosting camp on church grounds remains central to our mission. It allows us to create joyful memories and deeper fellowship while helping campers grow in faith, build character, and develop leadership skills in an atmosphere of fun and belonging.

Sparrow’s Oak is fully licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and fully insured, ensuring that our ministry upholds the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and care. Our dedicated team manages all hiring, training, and program operations, allowing each parish to confidently provide a high-quality, faith-filled Orthodox Christian Summer Camp experience for their families.

Leadership

Welcome to Sparrow’s Oak — a ministry rooted in faith, fellowship, and love for every child.

What began as a small seed of faith has grown into a joyful Orthodox Christian day camp where children can play, pray, and grow together in Christ. Our mission is to help young hearts experience the beauty of the Orthodox faith through creativity, friendship, and service.

Every camper is seen and cherished as a beloved child of God. It is our prayer that Sparrow’s Oak continues to be a place where faith takes root, where joy is shared, and where lasting friendships are made under the shelter of His love.

With the blessing and support of our local parishes and families, Sparrow’s Oak continues to grow as a ministry of faith and community.

With love in Christ,
Sandy Mary Korkatzis
Executive Director & Camp Director

Our Priorities

At Sparrow’s Oak Day Camp, we believe that caring for children is both a calling and a responsibility. From the very beginning, our mission has been to create a place where faith, joy, and growth come together.

Every child is cared for with the highest level of safety and integrity.

As a ministry, we made the intentional decision to become fully licensed through the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

This step reflects our deep commitment to doing things the right way, ensuring that every part of our camp, from staff training and health procedures to facilities and programming meets the standards set by the state for licensed youth camps.

Licensing brings more than just credibility. It offers families the assurance that Sparrow’s Oak operates under consistent oversight, background checks, and safety protocols designed to protect every child in our care. It allows us to work closely with the OEC and other local agencies to maintain excellence in staff preparation, emergency readiness, and developmental programming.

Most importantly, it allows our ministry to model accountability, transparency, and faith in action. We believe that a program rooted in Christian values should also reflect the highest standards of professionalism and stewardship.

By becoming licensed, we didn’t just check a box, we built a foundation that allows Sparrow’s Oak to serve families with both spiritual purpose and trusted quality. It’s one more way we strive to ensure that every child who comes through our gates experiences a summer of faith, fun, and friendship. Doing so safely, joyfully, and under the loving guidance of our team.