Camp Ogontz

Welcome Party

Arrival and Check-In

Welcome Pig Roast

Country Hoedown

After Party

Bonfire

Wedding Day

Fishing Contest

Breakfast

Field Day

Lunch

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Take-Off Day

See You Soon Breakfast/Brunch

Fall

Our Wedding

We were both young when I first saw you...It's a Love Story, baby, she said.... "Yes!" It all started in the spring of 2015 at the University of Connecticut. At the time, Ryan was a failed track star in the ROTC program preparing to commission into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. After transitioning from a track athlete to Army Officer, Ryan organized "Military/Athlete Challenges" for the UConn sports teams to keep in touch with his friends still playing sports. When Ryan got the opportunity to organize and run a challenge for the 2x Field Hockey National Champions during the second to last month of his senior year, he couldn't say no! During a planning meeting with UCFH coach Paul Caddy, Darby came crashing into the office (of course yelling playfully about something). For Ryan, it was love at first sight and even though she was dressed in her training "blueberry" sweat suit he couldn't take his eyes off her. The second Ryan left the office he asked his friend Mike "Who was that adorable Irish girl? She's beautiful!" After an amazing first date at the UConn Dairy Bar, Ryan had to leave to start his Army Career in Columbus, GA. Though the distance was far, they both knew it was meant to be and continued to date while Ryan continued his career in El Paso, Tx and Darby pursued her dreams of becoming a veterinarian at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts. After six years of endless travel and adventure, our story continues as we tie the knot at Camp Ogontz!

We Found Love in Our Favorite Place

Our Story

Photos

Older sister and personal shopper... Taylor is always there to help out! From driving me to school daily (*being late.... daily*) to buying all my dresses for family weddings... she truly does it all!

Taylor Smith 

Growing up, we were incredibly close... so close in fact that we shared a bed for a big part of our childhood.  Maddy is always willing to contribute her fashion advice, or deck me out in the hottest trends from "Maddy's Closet."

Madalyn Smith 

Trying to be cool like our older sisters, we created the "DEW" Crew!  Cousins since birth and best friends by choice, we  forged an even closer bond while hiking El Camino throughout Spain in 2019.

Emily Smith 

The third member of the "DEW" crew, and friends for life! Wendy's love of hot dogs is almost as strong as our love for each other!

Wendy Woeckener

UConn Field Hockey teammate and partner in crime!  The only girl I know who can keep up with my craziness in the outdoors.  "Karl" is a professional skier, hot tubber, and USA Field Hockey legend!

Karlie Heistand 

Soon to be Sister-in-Law; "Whittles" is always up for fun at the big lake, partying at UConn, and a day out on the links!

Whitney Rubega 

UConn Field Hockey teammate and adventure buddy!  From the slopes of Jay Peak to exploring out west, we've nearly done it all!

Nina Klein 

Uconn Field Hockey teammate that quickly became my "German Sister" after spending many holidays and family vacations together!

Svea Böker

UConn Field Hockey teammates and wild roommates for the entirety of college.   The distinction of being one of three "Jersey Girls" on the field hockey roster made us instant friends!

Montana Fleming 

My sweet and beautiful younger cousin... I can't think of anyone I would rather have leading me down the isle!

Kathryn Costello

The Original roommate and Best Friend (bunk beds leave WAY more room for activities).  Ty is always willing to lend the shirt off his back, or out of his closet... whether he knows it or not. 

Tyler Rubega 

Friends since Fort Benning, GA in 2015.  The Army decided we were too good to separate, so it was on to Fort Bliss, TX, back to Columbus, GA, and finally to Fort Campbell, KY in 2021.  A wild ride with well over 10,000 golf balls hit.

Sean Paradise 

First friend in the UConn ROTC program and college roommates... 7 years later we became work partners on the Rakkasans Staff in Fort Campbell, KY... It's a small world!

Pat Reynolds

Best friends since U-9 Soccer! 
Our High School teachers forgot our names so they referred to us as "The Blonde Boys".

Jason Lambert 

Best Friends since 3 year-old playgroup and one of "The Blonde Boys". Kyle is never afraid to turn down an adventure and is always ready to discuss life's craziest questions!

Kyle Coughlin 

Ballin' since youth soccer and CYO Basketball! "Benja" was the one who originally christened the "BEGA" and "R-U-BEGA?" nicknames!

Ben Fortin 

Cousin and co-founder of D&R Fly Tying (We tie it, you fly it!); Inseparable since birth and "Ryan #1."

Ryan Mayer

This picture says it all!  Tons of time was spent growing up together on family camping trips and hanging at the lake.

Will Ellery

Already a lifetime of adventures and more to come! We're so lucky that UConn Field Hockey brought us together!

Joshua Kisha

This ain't our first rodeo, let's get on with the ceremony and hit the reception so we can boogie!  We'll see you on the dance floor!

Liam & Lucas Rubega

Wedding Party

FAQs

When should we arrive for the Wedding Weekend?

The Wedding Weekend will start on Friday night with a Welcome Dinner on the deck overlooking the lake.&nbsp;We hope that most guests can arrive Friday afternoon to check into their accommodations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Where is Camp Ogontz?

The Ogontz Rustic Resort is located in Lyman, New Hampshire at the base of the White Mountains.&nbsp;It is situated between Route 91 in Vermont and Route 93 in New Hampshire.

What is The NH Temperature in September?

Guests can expect varying temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees.&nbsp;The evenings will be a little bit cooler, but we don't expect frigid temperatures. The "What to Bring" tab at the top of the page gives good recommendations of things that could make your stay more comfortable.

What is a "Camp" Wedding?

Our wedding will be a three-day weekend event where everyone is located in the same spot with little or no driving.&nbsp;In our case, the weekend will be held at an Adirondack style camp.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What accommodations are available for the weekend?

The accommodations vary and include Adirondack Cabins, Rustic Log cabins and Houses.&nbsp;&nbsp;We also have a room block set up at the Hampton Inn which is located 12 miles away in Littleton, New Hampshire.

Do we need to reserve our Accommodation? 

To fully utilize what Ogontz has to offer, we will be placing all of our guests in what we feel is an appropriate on-site accommodation. You will receive your anticipated Accommodation in your Wedding Invitation.

How do we pay for our Accommodation? 

All on-site accommodations will be paid for through Ogontz. When completing the RSVP process we will need an email address for each party. Once we have your email, Ogontz will send you an invoice for your stay and directions on how to pay.

Will it be cold in the cabins?

Good Question!&nbsp;Many of the Log cabins and Houses have fireplaces and wood-stoves, but the Open-air Adirondack Cabins do not have a heat source. It is a good idea to check the weather beforehand, dress warmly and bring additional blankets. We will be prepared with space heaters if necessary.

Are meals included?

If you are staying on the Camp Ogontz property, all of the meals will be included in your stay. If you are planning to stay off site, there will be a $59 fee/person to attend all of the meals at Ogontz. Meals being served at Ogontz: Welcome BBQ dinner Friday night, a hot camp breakfast Saturday morning, a picnic lunch Saturday afternoon, The Wedding Reception Dinner and a ‘Getaway’ breakfast/brunch on Sunday.

What activities are there at Camp Ogontz?

We have a fun filled weekend planned for all of our guests! On Friday night there will be an assortment of Lawn games set up at the welcome dinner. After dinner, we ask our guest to get on their dancing boots to join us for a Country Hoedown. On Saturday morning there will be yoga and fishing followed by the Smith/Rubega "Field Day" Competition. Outside of the planned events, there is hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing... all on the camp premises!

Do we need to know/learn country line dancing?

Yes!! We are asking our guests to learn the following line dance songs for the Country Hoedown: Copperhead RoadFootlooseCotten Eyed Joe

Are children invited to the wedding weekend?

The Ogontz weekend is specifically designed to be a relaxing, engaging experience for all our adult guests. We request that young children do not attend.

Can I bring my dog to Camp Ogontz?

We are asking our family and friends to please leave your furry friends at home (with a trusted babysitter) for the Wedding Weekend.

Is there Cell Service at Ogontz? What about Wifi?

The Ogontz main campus has limited WiFi access and cell service is spotty throughout the property. The best place to get both WiFi and cell service is at the office, around the circle of green Adirondack chairs and on the dining hall deck.

Darby & Ryan's Wedding Accommodations

Given the variety and limited housing, we will be placing people in what we feel are appropriate accommodations. If you need to stay in a hotel room, please contact us!

Adirondack Cabins - 3 to 5 People per Cabin

**The majority of our younger guests will be placed in these accommodations in a group of 4-5 people** $75 Per Person Per Night&nbsp;&nbsp;Friday &amp; SaturdayIncludes Welcome Dinner, Sat Breakfast &amp; Lunch &amp; Sunday Brunch $125 Per Person Per Night Saturday OnlyIncludes Sunday Brunch

Log Cabins & Houses - Varies by House or Cabin

**Reserved for the older Smith &amp; Rubega family members** $95 Per Person Per Night&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Friday &amp; SaturdayIncludes Welcome Dinner, Sat Breakfast &amp; Lunch &amp; Sunday Brunch $145 Per Person Per Night&nbsp;Saturday OnlyIncludes Sunday Brunch

Hampton Inn Littleton - Two Night Minimum

**If you are interested in staying at the hotel please book as soon as possible as it books up quickly and we were unable to reserve a large block of rooms. Let the hotel know that you are with the Smith-Rubega Wedding to get the rate below** ﻿ The Room Rate is $249 Per Night for Two People (close to $300 per night with taxes) - there will be an extra charge for more people per room   There will be a $59 charge per person for the meals at Ogontz. This will include the Welcome Dinner Friday night, Breakfast+Lunch on Saturday, and Brunch on Sunday.     There will NOT be a group shuttle Saturday night from the hotel to Ogontz.

Sugar Hill Inn - Littleton, NH

**As of 6/8 there were 6 rooms available for Friday and Saturday (September 23rd &amp; 24th)** **These rooms will book up fast so book as soon as possible if interested** Room rates rage from $275-425 per night depending on what is available There will be a $59 charge per person for the meals at Ogontz. This will include the Welcome Dinner Friday night, Breakfast+Lunch on Saturday, and Brunch on Sunday

Accommodations 

Campus Map 

﻿Click on the Map below to see the full layout of Camp Ogontz.

There is also a link that will take you to a satellite map of Ogontz. Through this map, you can see pictures of what each of the accommodations looks like! <a href="https://www.ogontzwhitemountains.com/ogontz-map" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ogontzwhitemountains.com/ogontz-map</a>

Camp Ogontz Map

Packing List: Highly Recommended 

Warm ClothingThe weather in September will be relatively warm during the day, but cooler at night. We suggest packing sweatpants and sweatshirts for additional warmth in your cabins or out by the fires. Shower Shoes (Sandals, Crocks etc.)These will be especially handy for our guests staying in an Adirondack accommodation. Perfect for walking around your cabin or for showering in the shared bathrooms. Shower Caddy &amp; ToiletriesWe'll have soap and shampoo available in the shared bathrooms, but guests are welcome to bring their own. ﻿Country-Western AttireBreak out the boots, hats, and bolo ties for Country Night! Athletic AttireYoga, Fishing, and Yard games OH MY! Outside of the formal wedding events, guests are encouraged to dress comfortably to enjoy everything that Ogontz has to offer! (Hiking Boots, Sneakers, or Active Shoes too!) Bathing Suit/Swim TrunksPerfect for the lake, stream, or wood-burning hot tub! Refillable Bottle/Travel MugWith a busy weekend schedule these will come in handy for drinks on the go and in your cabins! Ogontz permits alcohol within the cabins, but they request that there are no "open containers" visible throughout the property Flashlight/Headlamp/Camp LanternHandy for a late-night walk to the bonfire or bathrooms﻿SunscreenAlways be smart and wear your sunscreen outside! Rain Coat/UmbrellaObviously we are praying daily that it won't rain on our outdoor wedding, but the fun will continue, even if the weather decides not to cooperate!

Packing List: Nice to Have!

Extra Blanket/Sleeping BagOgontz will provide bed linens and a comforter for every accommodation, but some people may wish to bring their own sleeping bag and/or an extra heavy blanket if it gets cold at night. A tailgate blanket is perfect or a night by the fire pit. Fishing EquipmentA small amount will be provided for the tournament Saturday morning, but anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to bring a rod if able! Yoga MatBYOM... If you plan to participating in the Yoga class on Saturday morning please bring a mat. Ogontz has 5 yoga mats, but these will be allocated to our guests that are flying in. Camping ChairOgontz provides outdoor seating, but having a portable camp chair may be more comfortable. Most seating does not have a backing. Extra TowelOgontz will provide each guest with 1 shower towel and 1 washcloth for the weekend. If you would like another bath towel and/or a beach towel for the lake, we recommend adding that to your packing list! Bath Robe While Ogontz's shared bathrooms offer a small changing room outside of each shower, our guests in Adirondack accommodations may prefer changing in their cabin. Power Strip or Rechargeable Battery PackEach Adirondack cabin has a duplex outlet that can charge 2 devices. These are also located in fairly inconvenient locations within a few of the cabins. If you anticipate that you will need more, we suggest bringing an adaptor that has multiple plugins or a rechargeable travel battery pack. Bug SprayThe cool weather should significantly reduce the insect population around Ogontz, but keep in mind that we will be deep in the woods, and near a lake!

What to Bring

Address

Camp Ogontz can easily be found on Google Maps by searching "Ogontz" or by using the address below:14 Ogontz RoadLyman, NH 03585

Travel

Camp Ogontz can be accessed from both Vermont and New Hampshire. If you are coming from the West you will want to take Route 84 to Route 91 in Vermont. If you are coming from the East you will want to take Route 495 to Route 93 in New Hampshire.

Travel to Ogontz

Copperhead Road

Step-by-Step Dance Lesson:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bthvi4w0dgU&amp;t=0s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bthvi4w0dgU&amp;t=0s</a> Dance with Music:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWfnJyZgP0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWfnJyZgP0</a>

Footloose

Step-by-Step Dance Lesson:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzmMlMUhOs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzmMlMUhOs</a>

Cotton Eyed Joe

Step-by-Step Dance Lesson: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5yo5tk9Vo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5yo5tk9Vo</a>

Line Dances

Copperhead Road

Footloose

Cotton Eyed Joe