Oaks (the campus)

This page refers to the physical setting location of the OAKS story collection, the fictionalized Camp Oak Hallows created by author VL Gaffney.

### Location

Oaks is a 500-600 acre square campus in central Texas, exact location unknown. It is *south* of Dallas, *west* of Houston, and *east* of Waco. The campus is surrounded by a physical concrete and steel security wall/fence with two main entry gates, the Haven gate and the southern Firehouse gate. Rumors of smaller, secret entry or exit points circulate but are unconfirmed. The campus is also protected by layers of *magia* maintained by Headmasters Cavan and Ratana, using natural magical materials grown on-site as well as gold. Inside the wall is a five-foot wide and deep canal "moat" of moving water that serves both security and recreation purposes. It is navigable by canoe or kayak, and connects to smaller and shallower creeks on "the Grounds" ultimately leading to Compass Lake, at the center of camp.

### Campus structure

#### Haven and the Haven Gate

On the west wall of campus, the Haven Gate leads to a fenced drive-in area with parking lots and pedestrian access, once across a single-car drawbridge manned by campus security teams. Inside, the first building accessible is Haven, the main offices of Oaks. Haven is a multi-floored "Victorian-style" house with its own library, kitchen, and living quarters for the Headmasters as well as special guests.

#### Firehouse and South Gate

Perpendicular to the west wall, the Firehouse is the secondary "emergency" entry and exit point through the agricultural sector of campus. The direct road to the Firehouse leads to the camp Hospital, and then continues north into the recreational park and athletic quarter in the northwest. The security and safety crew offices are in the Firehouse, but the Haven Gate is the most carefully manned posting for crews on rotation, since it is the main parking lot where most traffic comes and goes.

This south gate is used during "off hours" and for urgent purposes only. The gate itself is a tunnel underneath the Firehouse building with flood controls connected to the "moat" that surrounds camp on the inside of the concrete border wall. To general knowledge, the tunnel has never had to be flooded for a security purpose, and has only been used for training purposes.

#### Compass Lake and the Lazy River

At the center of camp, a rectangular 25-acre lake spans from a western zero-entry beach to the eastern seawall and boardwalk. Multiple creeks lead to and from the lake through Oaks' neighborhoods. Cavan is proud of having designed this layout herself to best serve the wide age and interest ranges of camp residents and visitors, having the sun set behind afternoon beachgoers and distinct campus areas that can be opened or closed off as needed, while also being navigable by small personal watercraft, or floated by swimmers and tubers.

#### The Neighborhoods

##### Greek Row

* Serenity House
* Sagacity House
* Vitality House
* Alacrity House

##### Lincolnville and Old West Village

Log cabins and motel-style "square" with a picnic area common courtyard, single- to quad- occupancies. Adjoined private bathrooms.

##### The Senate

Washingtonian-Roman architecture hall with single- or double-occupancy dorms for elected students serving in Senate positions. Adjoined private bathrooms.

##### The Hearth

Single- to quad-occupancy dorms in the main dining hall building, above the cafeteria, restaurant, and culinary school areas. Shared hall bathrooms and showerhouses.

##### The Condos

Mediterranean white concrete studios and apartments up to six-person occupancy in three bedrooms.

##### Pantheon Park

Rustic screened cabins sponsored by clubs and organizations, stylized after multicultural gods and goddesses. Communal mess hall with bathrooms and showerhouse.

##### Atlantis and the Beachside Cottages

* Below-ground studio apartments with skylights beneath lakefloor. Single or double occupancy.
* Above-ground garden shed cottages with kitchenettes, fenced gardens, and private in-unit bathrooms. Single occupancy.

##### The Castle and Fairy Village

* Up to six person occupancy in three bedroom apartments on top floors of Castle. Available shared bathrooms and showerhouse.
* Unique whimsical single occupancy cottages surrounding the Castle. Use bathrooms and showers inside the Castle.

##### The Agricultural Sector

* Barn: Loft apartment with adjoined office for Barn Staff.
* Cabins: Single and double occupancy garden shed cottages, shared bathroom showerhouse and laundry facility building next to Barn.

##### The Rec and Suburbs

* Single occupancy apartments with kitchenettes surrounding pool, gym, and social areas of the Rec Hall, for upperclassmen athletes.
* Up to six person occupancy in single, double, or triple bedroom "tiny homes" with fenced yards and carports for upperclassmen and staff.

##### The Pinnacle Building

Single, double, and triple occupancy dorms with shared hall/floor bathrooms and showerhouses.

##### The F.A.C.

Single, double, triple, and quad occupancy dorms with shared hall/floor bathrooms or in-unit apartment bathrooms. Shared hall showerhouses.

##### The Treehouses

Group five to ten-person occupancy acclimatized cabins on stilts or built into trees. In-unit bathrooms and showerhouses.