Camp Ondessonk NewsletterFall 2023
|
|
From The Director's Desk
By Dan King
During the winter of 2022, our Camping Services Director Nolan Hurst and I had a video call with a camper and her mother to discuss the possibility of the camper being allowed to return to Camp. Such conversations are necessary every now and then. The camper, who in the summer of 2021, experienced a period of emotional turmoil that resulted in poor decisions and defiance, sincerely wanted a chance to get it right. Nolan, who worked with her that previous summer to improve her behavior, was eventually left with no choice but to send her home from Camp. Though it was difficult for her mom to absorb the news, she understood and supported the decision. She loves her daughter dearly, and she knew she could succeed at Camp, in school, and the other settings in which she was struggling at the time. We also believed in the camper’s potential to flourish. After meeting her mom’s pre-camp expectations, the formerly expelled camper was allowed to return to Camp Ondessonk in 2022, and then again in 2023. She did not just return. She became a leader in her cabin groups, and a force for positivity and kindness. After that bad camp session in 2021, she needed a path to redemption. She desperately needed Camp. Camp needed her equally.
The teenager mentioned above was one of 3,226 children served during Summer Camp 2023. In hindsight, it was an incredibly rewarding summer. The first few weeks of the season were hard. Perhaps it felt so tough because we had a greater number of children experiencing wellness problems. Perhaps our counselors were rusty early on. Those first sessions were good overall, but there seemed to be a constant drone of behavior issues, homesickness, and conflict. Whatever the case, our staff persisted, learned, and grew. Tough situations build resilience for the next time. There will almost always be a next time.
We strongly believe every camper, adult volunteer, staff member, and Camp Friend adds value to Camp, including you. Thank you for remaining loyal. Your support contributes to our progress and success. Please continue praying for the Campers of Ondessonk. May their Camp continue to bring them the joy, love, and Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Faith.
Please keep Camp in your life for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
Dan King
The teenager mentioned above was one of 3,226 children served during Summer Camp 2023. In hindsight, it was an incredibly rewarding summer. The first few weeks of the season were hard. Perhaps it felt so tough because we had a greater number of children experiencing wellness problems. Perhaps our counselors were rusty early on. Those first sessions were good overall, but there seemed to be a constant drone of behavior issues, homesickness, and conflict. Whatever the case, our staff persisted, learned, and grew. Tough situations build resilience for the next time. There will almost always be a next time.
We strongly believe every camper, adult volunteer, staff member, and Camp Friend adds value to Camp, including you. Thank you for remaining loyal. Your support contributes to our progress and success. Please continue praying for the Campers of Ondessonk. May their Camp continue to bring them the joy, love, and Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Faith.
Please keep Camp in your life for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
Dan King
In this issue...
1. FALL AT CAMP ONDESSONK
"Whether a school, family, or individual, there is something for everyone this Fall at Camp Ondessonk" |
By Nolan Hurst, Camping Services Director
"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." – Lauren DeStefano Many people are taking advantage of nature's grand finale this Fall by visiting Camp Ondessonk. During the Fall Education & Recreation Season, Camp Ondessonk opens its Gate to all interested in exploring God's creation and the beauty of Fall. As of early September, Camp is excited to serve more than 500 school students for Outdoor Education overnight field trips. During these field trips, students can cook over a fire, swing at the high-challenge course, ride a horse, hike to a waterfall, and much more. There also will be more than 700 guests using Camp Ondessonk as a campground, exploring the wilderness at their own pace, staying in a treehouse, St. Noel, Fournie Lodge, or a tent. Other exciting events at Camp Ondessonk this Fall include Family Camp, Mother Daughter Weekend, Stable Round-Up, Lodge Reunion, Fat Tire Festival, the Free Fall Festival, and the 13th Annual Ondessonk Trail Run. For some, their chance to experience the beauty of Fall will be coming to day hike or bike some of our 25 miles of trail that leads right into the Shawnee National Forest. Whether a school, family, or individual, there is something for everyone this Fall at Camp Ondessonk. Although we have more than 1,600 people registered, all our programs still have room for more to join. We hope you can join us to experience nature's grand finale this Fall at Camp Ondessonk! |
2. Simon Goes to America
"This year, Labor Day weekend was special for a whole host of reasons, but principally, it's the absolute joy of seeing people I became so very fond of, so very long ago. Some for the first time since back in the 1990s. Obviously, that's all well and good, and how lucky are we that even after so long, we all still want to spend time with each other, but to ramp it up several notches, to really make it all unforgettable, worthwhile to travel so far, something that will put a smile on your face." 
|
By Simon Granville and Judy Blase Woodruff
Labor Day weekend 2023 was very special for Simon Granville. He states, "It's the absolute joy of seeing people I became so very fond of, so very long ago. Some, for the first time since back in the 1990s. How lucky are we that even after so long, we all still want to spend time with each other. To really make it all unforgettable, worthwhile to travel so far, something that will put a smile on your face, it absolutely, indisputably has to be at Camp Ondessonk." This is where it all started for Simon – where they all met. He reminisces, "And 30 years later, to sit with those same great people and talk and laugh about what we got up to back then – it makes me feel very lucky to be a part of it, and that's very rare, I think, and why I'm happy to travel so far to be here." As they say in the song Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music, let's begin at the very beginning – in Simon's own words. "I applied to Camp America in February of 1991 after attending a promotional event at the local university. It had been posted in the local press, and my mother, seeing an easy way to get me out of the house for the Summer, dropped the article in my lap. It involved quite a long application form asking about experience working with children and to what activities did I think I could teach. "One month later, I had an interview with a lady in my hometown of Sheffield, England, and was told one week later that I had a guaranteed place. They couldn't say where I was going, only that I definitely was going – that was it. "My first Summer, in 1991, Assistant Camp Director Dan Hechenberger called me in England two weeks before leaving, and told me a little about the Camp – that it certainly wasn't a tennis camp as some lady a few years before had, who had turned up with only white clothes – and that I was going to be a Unit Leader. Which meant absolutely nothing to me but sounded important. "I spent the night of June 1st just outside New York City which Camp America used as a last gathering point before sending hundreds of us off to all four corners of the nation. During breakfast on June 2nd, we were told some of the general dos and don'ts of Camp Life. Some were obvious, some were a bit of a reality check; never find yourself alone with one camper, for example, for legal reasons. "That year, we were, I believe, nine Camp America staff: Myself (UK); Andrew (UK); Jolander, Susanne, Juergen, and Rudolf (Netherlands); Andrea (Australia); John (Ireland); and Zoltán (Hungary). "We were collected by Dan H at the St Louis airport, and taken to Camp where we arrived in time for Taco Salad dinner. I was to shadow the Unit of Lalemant and its Unit Leader (UL) Bill Benton. They couldn't have picked a better role model for me for the week before being handed the Unit of Lalande from Week Two 'till Week Six (co-ed). "It was a bit of a baptism of fire but I learnt quickly that the role of UL has not only a certain simplicity – keep the kids safe whilst making sure they have fun – but also complexities that could spring up at any moment – flare ups between kids, homesickness, trips to the infirmary, lost property/money, hygiene issues – whilst making sure the rest of the unit was able to get on with the day. "And Bill handled everything that Week One that I threw at him with, it felt, consummate ease – a sternness as and when needed, but mostly a calmness and friendliness that I tried to emulate for the rest of my time as UL." When asked what he thought of his first few weeks at Camp, Simon quickly answered, "That is easy: Very Hot! When we arrived on the Sunday, I'd spent the day in air conditioning, and was by no means prepared for the scorching dry roast of the Shawnee in early June. Eric Schauster, who I am lucky enough to call a great friend even now, over 30 years later, still maintains that he saw us get off the bus and had never seen another human with a face as red as mine. I don't remember what I wore to Sunday dinner, but do remember being blindsided by the noise and energy of 400 campers, and then also surprised by the power of the raised hand for silence. It worked!" In addition, Simon said, "I was also stunned to learn that one table, chosen by the Dining Hall Manager, would be snogged and get to leave first. In England, to snog someone means to make out with them. I made a mental note of where the exits were!" After dinner that first Sunday at Camp, Simon was taken to LaLande and shown his bunk for the next six weeks. He was to join Bill and the Unit of Lalemant for breakfast to learn each day's activities. He was more than taken aback to find, "Not only did the cabin NOT have four walls, but that also electricity was a non-starter, and water was a 30-yard walk away. And don't get me started on the outhouse. My first nighttime venture to the outhouse was as brief as I could keep it." "I had absolutely no experience, even remotely close to this kind of camping, and although quitting never crossed my mind, I felt a certain weight, pressure, as I realized that this was day one of 70!" Simon was taught a valuable lesson at his first Sunday night campfire. As night fell, he assumed that it would cool off, and he wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. He realized that this was not what to wear around a campfire – as he only made this mistake once. The next day, his first full day at Camp, he fell in love with a hike to Pakentuck. He follows that by saying, "The rest of the week is a foggy blur, and passed in a flash. This little crowd of campers was shuttling and shuffling from activity to activity: Riflery (What? These kids are going to be shooting?); to Swimming (what do they mean there are snakes in there?); to Horse Riding (those things are huge); to Archery (those things are really sharp); and to Woodsmanship (we're teaching them how to make fire?). "And of course, no-one got hurt, bitten, shot, or burnt, and the kids all went home tired, sweaty and, I hope, happy. This collection of strangers had become a unit of friends, and I'd barely had time to notice it happen, and that was when I was asked to jump in feet first and recreate the 'magic' in Lalande. "So, using the 'copy and paste' policy of what I'd learnt from Bill – and the other ULs too, they were all very helpful, I never felt as if I were on my own. It got a little easier over the weeks to come. The kids were, for the most part, a lovely bunch, and some had questions I'd never expected, such as: 'Do you have sheep in England?' 'Do you have tennis in England?' 'Do you have phones in England?' And my favourite was from a camper, and I wish I could remember his name because he was a smashing lad, who was impressed at how fast (only three weeks!) I'd picked up the language! "The bugs did their very best to dampen my enthusiasm/eat me alive. At one point I stopped counting my bites and chiggers when I reached 100. And then, the third challenge, after the kids and the bugs, was, as mentioned, the heat. I'd never been anywhere this hot, and had certainly no idea about humidity at these kinds of levels. It gets everywhere, and never lets up, there's no mercy. Why on earth would anyone choose to set up a camp here? "It took a few weeks for my system to adjust to the time zone, the heat, the routines, the kids and their questions, but after a while it settled down, and the bites bothered me less and less, and the heat was less of an issue, but I seemed to be noticing more and more the readiness of the staff around me to help. The little hints and tips that would smooth the bumps, the happy kids mucking about, how good food tasted, whatever it was, after a morning of earning it, and how satisfying it was to get the unit through the week, and have them leave on Saturday chattering about what unit they were going to apply for the following year, and how awesome stables/the units/Friday ice cream/their new friends were… "And, as the Summer progressed, I found that the intensity of working 24/7 with so many staff (100 was it?) went from being not just my safety net, but to an absolute joy, to work with and for dozens of people with the same ideals, working on the same wavelengths, and no matter who was in the staff lounge, you could sit down to catch your breath, share a moment or two, and when it was time to get back to the kids, you felt better, thanks to this group of oddballs and characters who'd all decided that the best way to spend their Summer was here, at Camp, teaching these kids about the world outside, and laughing and smiling their way through ten weeks whilst never NOT sweaty, grimy, bitten, sunburnt (!!), tired – and knowing all of this when they signed up for it. Throw into the mixer a location that seemed to me at the time as out of the ordinary as the staff, which, at the beginning of the Summer, when it was still completely new to me, felt like it was coming for me, by the end of the Summer also felt just right, as in of course this is a great place for a camp. Why wouldn't you want to spend time here? And even now, the noise of Camp, especially at night, has become reassuring. "And so, when this all came together, and I couldn't say when it was – Week Three? Week Four? It wasn't immediate, but it didn't take long, it all began to feel like I'd discovered a secret that not many people got to know about, and how lucky was I to be allocated here, out of all the camps possible." All in all, Simon spent five years as a Camp Ondessonk counselor from 1991 through 1995. He was inducted into Lodge his first year on staff during one of the Boys Season weeks. He was mostly a Unit Leader and a member of the Range crew. During Girls Season, he was in Nature – he loved the hikes; Handicrafts – where he was in the shade; and Woodsmanship – where he could make fire! Now living in Stuttgart, Germany, on the edge of the Black Forest, Simon became a photographer thanks to taking hundreds of photos at Camp, and striving to become better at it. When asked if there are summer camps in Germany, he said, "As far as I know, there are some camps in Germany, but nothing even close to Camp Ondessonk. Europe just doesn't have the Summer Camp culture that exists in the States." Simon recently married his long-time girlfriend, quoting him: "an English beauty, Juliette." He has a 19-year-old son, Laszlo, and two-year-old brother and sister cats, Bo and Bumble. He became reconnected with Camp Ondessonk and his long-time friends through social media, predominantly Facebook. "Once I saw the faces and the pictures, I couldn't stay away," he said. So, reiterating what was stated earlier, "This year, Labor Day weekend was special for a whole host of reasons, but principally, it's the absolute joy of seeing people I became so very fond of, so very long ago. Some for the first time since back in the 1990s. Obviously, that's all well and good, and how lucky are we that even after so long, we all still want to spend time with each other, but to ramp it up several notches, to really make it all unforgettable, worthwhile to travel so far, something that will put a smile on your face. It absolutely, indisputably, has to be at Camp Ondessonk. This is where it all started, where we all met, and 30 years later, to sit with those same great people, and talk and laugh about what we got up to back then – it makes me feel very lucky to be a part of it, and that's very rare, I think, and why I'm happy to travel so far to be here. Also, to see how Camp has changed and improved (air conditioning in the dining hall!!), gone from strength to strength, so others can experience, either as camper or staff member, what I did back then, in Dan King's safe hands. I can rest assured that there'll be Labor Day Weekends to come to, for as long as I'm able to travel." He made the long trip from Germany to Camp this Friends Weekend not only because he wanted to, but he had been treated for cancer this past Spring with an excellent prognosis. Juliette knew that there would be no better tonic for him than Labor Day Weekend at the place he loves, with the people he loves. Simon is afraid that at some point, he would be too old to make the journey, but he did not say 'no' when his friend, Eric Schauster, video-called him in the hospital to tell him what he would be doing in only seven weeks' time. Juliette, behind Simon's back, cleared everything with the doctors and specialists and with Camp, which made way for Juliette to buy the plane ticket for Simon to journey back to the United States – with only one criterion – to have fun! And he did! |
3. Scholarship Support Makes a Difference for Campers
"In 2023, the generosity of the Camp Community made it possible to provide $95,145.30 in scholarship support to 168 summer campers." |
The Camp Ondessonk Scholarship Fund makes a real difference in the lives of the children and families who benefit from the generosity of others. The Scholarship Fund ensures that every child can experience and enjoy a week at Camp regardless of their financial situation.
In 2023, the generosity of the Camp Community made it possible to provide $95,145.30 in scholarship support to 168 summer campers. About 65%, or 109 campers, received full scholarships, while others received partial scholarships based on financial need. In addition to generous contributions made by individuals and organizations, many gifts to the Scholarship Fund are smaller, made throughout the Summer by families on Saturday mornings. Before campers returned home, families were asked if they'd like to contribute the unused balance of their Barter Bucks to Camp's Scholarship Fund. We are grateful to the many families who responded "Yes!" to help other children create memories at Camp Ondessonk that will last a lifetime. This Summer, the collective contributions made through Barter Bucks transfers totaled $16,749.11! While Summer Camp 2023 has come and gone, it is still possible to make a gift to ensure that every child can experience and enjoy a week at Camp regardless of their financial situation. Visit Ondessonk.com/giving to make an online gift to the Scholarship Fund to support future Ondessonk campers |
4. IN MEMORIAM: Pete Korte
Pete Korte and his wife, Jane, at Camp Ondessonk’s 2015 Gala and Benefit Auction. That evening, Pete was honored as the first recipient of the Ondessonk Builders and Founders Legacy Award.
|
Pete Korte
February 3, 1938 - September 26, 2023 On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, long-time Camp friend and volunteer, Cyril B. “Pete” Korte, was called home. He was 85 years old. Pete is survived by his wife, Jane, seven children, 28 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Pete began working at Basler Electric at 16 years old and joined the U.S. Army Reserve at 19. Shortly after he married Jane, Pete used a loan from his father-in-law to purchase a backhoe and began doing jobs around Highland. He then partnered with his brother-in-law, Joe Luitjohan, to create Korte & Luitjohan Excavating Contractors, Inc. Almost 65 years later, the company, now known as Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., has grown from operating as an underground utility contractor to excelling in three major construction markets. Pete loved Camp Ondessonk and was always happy to work in support of Camp’s mission for one reason, “It’s for the kids!” Pete served on Camp’s board of directors from 1995 to 2002. With the goal of raising funds to help children attend Camp Ondessonk, Pete and Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., began sponsoring an annual golf benefit in 1995. The event has raised more than $750,000 in the last 28 years to enhance programs, to fund scholarships in order for children of lower income levels to experience Camp, and to drive new initiatives to fulfill Camp’s mission. In addition to his service to Camp Ondessonk, Pete was involved in many organizations in his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Highland Jaycees, a volunteer fire fighter for the City of Highland, a board member for the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA), Trustee for the Operators Benefit Fund, and a member of St. Paul’s choir. As a member of those organizations and his parish, he chaired the St. Paul Kirchenfest and the Jaycees Highland Homecoming both in 1976. He served as president of the Jaycees chapter, and of SIBA. Pete and his team led many projects at Camp including the beach shower house, installing waterlines down Camp’s main road, the high ropes challenge course and climbing wall, and many more both large and small. Pete will remain an important part of Camp Ondessonk through the building that carries his name: The Pete Korte Lodge. The lodge, a staff duplex, will accommodate eight year-round staff members, and will provide the comfort and amenities that these hard-working staff deserve. Construction on the building is underway with the hope it will be occupied within the next year. We are thankful for Pete’s friendship and dedication toward Camp Ondessonk throughout his lifetime, and we pray for all those who mourn his loss. Rest in peace dear friend. |
5. Camp Ondessonk's 28th Annual Golf Benefit
"We would like to give a BIG thank you to all the sponsors, donors, participants, and volunteers for making this event possible. Altogether, this event raised over $37,400!" 
|
Camp Ondessonk’s 28th Annual Golf Benefit was held Saturday, September 30, 2023. The event, hosted by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., was a huge success as 87 golfers turned out for an afternoon on the links at Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course. It was a beautiful day to be on the course and supporting Camp Ondessonk!
We would like to give a BIG thank you to all the sponsors, donors, participants, and volunteers for making this event possible. Altogether, the Golf Benefit raised more than $37,400! All proceeds support Camp Ondessonk’s mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures that empower kids of all ages. Congratulations to our winners. First Flight 1st Place – Colllins and Hermann 2nd Place – Tim Willilams and Friends 3rd Place – Menendez Team Second Flight 1st Place – Prindable Insurance 2nd Place – Ordinary Average Guys 3rd Place – Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. Team 2 Longest Drive – Denise Haselhorst and Gary Spencer Closest to the Pin – Gloria Toennies and Travis Neiderhoffer We would like to give special thanks to the following businesses, organizations, and individuals for their contributions to the Golf Benefit. Tournament Sponsors:
Diamond Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
The player gift sponsor was Silkworm, Inc. and food and beverage sponsors included US Foods, Trenton Processing, Robert “Chick” Fritz Distributing, and Pepsi MidAmerica. |
6. Together We Give this Giving Tuesday
|
On Tuesday, November 28th, the Camp Ondessonk Family will come together to participate in the global generosity movement of Giving Tuesday. Held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this special day unites millions of people worldwide to give in support of the causes and organizations they love.
Historically, Giving Tuesday has been a special day for Camp Ondessonk. In each of the last two years, challenge gifts given by the Cousineau and Lowder Families helped inspire the Camp Family to give a total of more than $45,000 to benefit the campers of Camp Ondessonk. Together, we can do it again! All members of the Camp Community and beyond are encouraged to give back on Tuesday, November 28th, to help "Teach what matters most!" Participating is easy, as Camp will accept gifts made through online giving, sending gifts through USPS, phone calls, and even by texting on Giving Tuesday. Save the date to support Camp Ondessonk on Tuesday, November 28 – Giving Tuesday 2023. |
7. Little Ladies’ Tresses Orchid
|
By Chris Benda
Everyone who has been to Camp Ondessonk knows how special it is, and more specifically, how special the natural environment is. But to those with an intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna of Southern Illinois, Camp Ondessonk rivals any site in the region. Recently, I was visiting the Pakentuck area to investigate the rare Small-Flowered Fameflower, which I wrote about in a previous issue, and decided to wander along the bluff edge heading east. There are red trail markers along this path and those who have hiked it know that it is a long walk before one can get down off the bluff and into the canyon below. I slowly made my way along the sandstone, seeing common vegetation that prefers shallow soil and full sun, such as rough buttonweed, rushfoil, and prickly pear cactus, when my eye caught a tiny plant with spiraling white flowers. I had found a seldom encountered plant, Spiranthes tuberosa, known as Little Ladies’ Tresses Orchid. I have seen this plant in southern Illinois before, but have encountered it so infrequently that I can remember every place I’ve seen it, which is less than 10 sites. The flowers are arranged in a single row and are much smaller than other species in the Spiranthes genus, of which there are nine other species in Illinois. The genus name “Spiranthes” is Greek for “coiled flowers,” describing the spiraling nature of the blooms. There is also a swollen tuberous root, hence the species name, “tuberosa.” There are more than 40 species of orchids native and currently present in Illinois and all of them are easily distinguished from one another by their flowers, except for those in the Spiranthes genus. The nine species can be challenging to identify. Key features are determining how many rows of flowers occur, the pubescence of the stem, the color of the inner petals on the flowers, and the presence or absence of leaves on the main stem. These orchids bloom in autumn and are the last of our native orchids to flower. Although perennial, orchids don’t always reappear where they have been seen in the past. Their scarcity makes them a delight to find. Also, orchids don’t transplant well, so please don’t ever dig one up in the wild. The orchid in the photo was collected for science and the herbarium specimen is deposited at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Click here to learn more Illinois Botanizer Chris Benda. |
8. Love in a Photograph
"The happiness and love for the Camp radiates in their smiles and demeanor. I smile every-time I look at it." |
By Whitney Strang, Director of Development
It's said that "A picture is worth a thousand words," but for Jim & Marylin Huskey a particular picture has resulted in countless smiles. The photo, taken during Session 3 of Summer Camp and shared with Dan King in July, is of their grandchildren, Luke, Molly, and Xavier, and their daughter Justine after an Inspection. Each is in their shirt indicating their place at Camp that week: Luke as a CIT, Molly in her third Summer on staff, Justine as a volunteer, and Xavier enjoying his second week of Summer Camp in the Shawnee Adventures program. When he shared the picture, Jim explained, "I literally see hundreds of pictures of Camp Ondessonk with our five grandchildren. I have enclosed the one picture that stands our far and above anything I have ever seen." He continued, "The happiness and love for the Camp radiates in their smiles and demeanor. I smile every-time I look at it." The proud parents and grandparents enjoy pictures taken at Camp Ondessonk from Justine and her family as well as their daughter, Julie, and "equally Ondessonk enthralled" granddaughters Mary and Elise. Molly was the first Camp O camper in the family, but Jim was the first to visit the site many years before. Born and raised in East St. Louis, Jim was a camper at Camp St. Philip with his brother, and he was a volunteer at Camp Ondessonk when the creek was dammed to create Lake Echon. While his brother continued to help develop Camp Ondessonk, Jim moved to Northern Illinois with his wife, Marilyn, not knowing they would return to the site with their grandchildren. Jim and Marilyn appreciate the experiences their grandchildren, and thousands of other children, have enjoyed as Ondessonk campers and staff members. "It has changed their life!" Marilyn shared as she described how proud she and Jim are of their daughters and grandchildren and continued, "You can see how much they love the Camp in their smiles!" |
9. New Employee Spotlight - Patrick Whitaker
|
Camp Ondessonk staff recently sat down with the new Support Services Coordinator, Patrick Whitaker.
Tell me how you first got involved with Camp Ondessonk. I was an outside hire who only knew of Camp Ondessonk's location until I came down the Camp Road on my first day. What was your first impression of Camp Ondessonk? I was in awe at the size of this place. And the beauty of a spring bloom. What has surprised you most about working with Camp Ondessonk? The size of Camp Ondessonk. Not just the physical size but the scope of everything involved in making a camp with a footprint this big run. What do you wish other people knew about Camp Ondessonk? Our Equestrian programs and the multiple opportunities for people to participate in equine activities. When your friends/family find out that you work at Ondessonk what do they say or ask? How to pronounce "Ondessonk," and when they learn about our herd, they ask, "You guys have how many horses?" What might (someone) be surprised to know about you? I was never affiliated with Camp in any way before responding to a job application. How would (someone) describe you? Quiet, dependable, and the guy with the tattoos and beard. What do you do when you aren't working? I enjoy hunting in the Fall and Winter, and going to concerts and car shows with my dad. |
10. CAMP ONDESSONK RELATIONAL MINISTRY
"Throughout many conversations with volunteers, staff, and senior campers, it has been shared that the thing that draws them back is the relationship built at Camp Ondessonk and that they feel closest to God in those moments at Camp Ondessonk." |
By Nolan Hurst, Camping Services Director
In the Gospel, according to Luke, Chapter 24, verses 13 – 35, we hear the story of Jesus appearing to two disciples as they walk toward the town of Emmaus. In this story, the disciples come upon a stranger whom they journey with toward Emmaus; little do they know that this stranger is Jesus. This revelation is not revealed until the end, after they grow in relationship and invite the stranger to have a meal together, wishing to open their lives for just a moment to a stranger. They have formed a relationship, and in that relationship, they find Jesus! What a magnificent story about growing in relationships with others to find Jesus and grow in faith. Although not a road toward Emmaus, Camp Ondessonk allows children of all ages to build positive relationships with new and old friends. Through these relationships, students, campers, guests, parents, etc. grow in their faith, whether directly or indirectly. As St. Francis Desales said, "Above all else, spirituality is about relationships." Camp Ondessonk is called toward relational ministry in our work, program, and services. As stated by Life Teen, "Relational ministry is simple: relationships are at the heart of true conversion…. We cannot do this unless we are willing to meet teens (people) where they are, develop healthy relationships, and walk with them closer to Christ." Camp Ondessonk meets all those who enter where they are to build a relationship that can build upon one's faith no matter where they are in the moment or their faith beliefs. It is through relationships that Camp Ondessonk has left a powerful impact on the lives of so many. Throughout many conversations with volunteers, staff, and senior campers, it has been shared that the thing that draws them back is the relationship built at Camp Ondessonk and that they feel closest to God in those moments at Camp Ondessonk. The work is never over, but as a relational ministry, Camp Ondessonk is committed to fostering an environment that allows positive relationships and growth in faith to continue. |
11. Stable News
"The job is to know the horses, watch for patterns, and interfere before an abnormality becomes problematic. A healthy, comfortable, happy horse is a safer horse. My job is to make sure that the Ondessonk herd fits the happy, comfortable, healthy description so that everyone who rides here, whatever season, has a fun and safe experience." |
Camp Ondessonk Staff recently talked with our Equestrian Director Catherine Limkeman to learn more about preparing the herd for Fall and Summer programs.
How does the transition from Summer Camp to Fall programming impact the care and routine of the horses? Directly after Summer Camp, the horses enjoy some time "out to pasture." Horses can get burnt out from doing the same thing day in and day out, just like people can. Beginner riders tend to be rougher on horses than most advanced riders because beginners are still figuring out what "gentle" hands mean on the horse's mouth or how to balance on a moving animal, so the horses have to work a little bit harder to compensate for the camper's lack of balance and mentally get taxed from not knowing when they will suddenly have their head pulled a particular direction as the riders learn how to communicate with their horse. Therefore, in August, we try not to ride our camper-level horses so they can plump up for winter and enjoy the mental rest of just being horses. August is also when we retire some of our older horses, who deserve a cushier landing after their hard work at Camp. We find forever homes where they still get lots of love, attention, and use, just not at the physically demanding level a year-round camp requires. September through Thanksgiving, we tend to have weekly equestrian programming as school groups, specialty weekends, and pony rides kick in. That means after their month of rest, we confirm their saddle fit (in case the extra pounds cause them to need a different saddle) and get them back to work. What specific preparations and training are in place to ensure the horses are ready for the change in program and weather conditions? Because our trail rides look similar in Spring, Summer, and Fall, I wouldn't say there is any specific training differences we need to make sure are in place for Fall programming as opposed to the other seasons. However, some of the considerations that are different for Fall use are how individual horses handle bugs. We tend to be cautious in using some of our horses that are fabulous for the Spring and Summer due to horse flies or ground bees. The horse flies come out in late July/early August and stay active through October. Some horses don't tolerate their bites well and can buck or roll to get the flies off—the ones with more dramatic reactions we don't use again until the bugs are gone. As far as changing weather conditions, something we monitor extra closely is the horses that are prone to laminitis, founder or have foundered in the past. When temperatures fluctuate considerably, it stresses the grass. Stressed grass shoots extra sugars to try to maintain life, which can aggravate some of our more obese or laminitis-prone horses and cause all kinds of issues. The horses we know who struggle with that, we either put a grazing muzzle on so that they can only eat the tops of grass which is less sugary, or we pull them off of grass altogether and switch them over to hay. Hay loses a lot of the sugar in the drying process and is easier on their guts. Sudden diet changes can be dangerous for horses, so we are careful in switching to and from grass. How do you adapt the equestrian staff's roles and responsibilities between the Summer and Fall seasons? During the summer months, the equestrian coordinator and I tend to lose some of our arm muscles because the jobs that she and I had to do – just the two of us; we then have a small army to help get all the tasks done. During "feeding," we also put sunscreen on horses pink noses, fly spray everyone, tick spray, clean water troughs, address first aid issues, and catch the horses needed for the day. In the Education and Recreation Season, there aren't as many staff to do all of those quick jobs, and saddling 20 horses with four staff as opposed to 12 takes a little more muscle. In the Summer, our roles are overseeing the programming, training the staff, and training the horses, whereas in the other seasons, we do that plus more of the boots-on-the-ground type jobs. After Thanksgiving, when school groups slow down, we hit project horse training harder to help the greener horses work into a role at Camp. What safety measures and protocols are in place for riders and staff during the Fall Equestrian Program? In the Fall, the horses tend to be on the rounder side, which means our riders need to have a little more balance than in the Spring and Fall, because rounder horses make it easier for the saddle to slip to the side if the rider isn't sitting balanced. When horses go up or down hills, it causes a more swaying motion for the rider, and with rounder horses, we need to make sure our riders have the kind of balance to maintain centered as they go up and down. It means being a bit more vigilant on the flat ground to ensure riders can maintain centered before deciding which trail we head out on. We also need to determine how well the rider can follow instructions in the event of hitting ground bees. Can they still execute skills if they are worried? Will they stay balanced if bugs aggravate their horse? Will they communicate if they are concerned? Are they allergic to bees? We think through all these things when we determine which trail route we are going. If they don't maintain centered on the horse as well or are more fearful, we will have that rider on a calmer horse, near the front of the group and a wrangler. If they are more confident, the middle of the trail line is fine for them. Another safety protocol we have in place is if one of the staff is riding by themselves to train a horse or help with their fitness, regardless of who they are, they need a safety person. That means they have someone they are informing when they mount up, where they are riding, and when the safety person needs to check in with them to ensure they didn't get into a wreck and need medical assistance. Can you describe any special events or activities related to the equestrian program during the Fall season? I always look forward to the Rogue Scholars, a group of women who come for essentially horse camp for adults. We have a lot of fun and get to build on the previous year of learning. They arrive in early November so that it isn't too cold, yet the bees and horseflies are fading away. I also enjoy riding our horses in the Paducah Light Parade. There is nothing that brings the Christmas spirit like parading your lit-up horse with sleigh bells. We are working with Johnson County to kick off an Equestrian Club with the local public schools. That hasn't started yet but is in the works. Helping develop youth through horse interactions is my passion, so something like that, where I watch the kids grow throughout the school year, is inspiring. How do you assess the readiness and wellbeing of the horses as they transition from one season to the next? A lot of assessing their readiness is in watching the horses and knowing their norms. Is this horse tenderfooted and going to struggle with the harder ground? Does this horse have thinner skin and get more aggravated by bug bites? Does this horse grow a good winter coat, or do they burn more calories trying to stay warm because they don't? Is this horse stressed because it is lower on the pecking order and needs more assistance getting to hay when their main meal is at hay rings instead of just grass everywhere? Do they have arthritis, so in winter months they have more pain, and if so, how does riding help that? Does the movement help or does it make them more irritable? The job is to know the horses, watch for patterns, and interfere before an abnormality becomes problematic. A healthy, comfortable, happy horse is a safer horse. My job is to make sure that the Ondessonk herd fits the happy, comfortable, healthy description so that everyone who rides here, whatever season, has a fun and safe experience. I need to know each horse, who they hang out with, how diet and other environmental factors affect that horse, and how to work with any constraints each horse may have. Are there any specific training sessions or workshops planned for Equestrian staff to enhance their skills for the upcoming Summer Camp Season? During college breaks, we try to have the summer wranglers down to refresh their skills and continue their equine education. That usually means early January, we have a get-together for an in-service. |
12. Ondessonk Snapshots
Friends Weekend 2023
|
Camp Ondessonk's Friends Weekend has always been a heartwarming and joyful gathering, creating unforgettable memories for donors, former staff, and dedicated volunteers. As they converge upon the picturesque Camp nestled in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, the weekend becomes a haven for rekindling old friendships and forging new ones.
Participants enthusiastically engage in various activities, from hiking through the pristine forests, kayaking, and canoeing on the crystal-clear lake to sharing stories by the crackling campfire under the starry night sky. The camaraderie and shared laughter during games, activities, and communal meals infuse the weekend with an infectious spirit of togetherness. It's a time when everyone, whether a donor supporting Camp's mission, a former staff member reminiscing about their time as a counselor, or a devoted volunteer, feels the warmth of Camp Ondessonk's community, leaving with hearts full of cherished moments and a deepened connection to this remarkable place. |
Outdoor Education Staff Training
|
Camp Ondessonk is committed to providing exceptional Outdoor Education experiences, and this dedication begins with the rigorous training of its Outdoor Education staff. Equipped with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of the natural world, these instructors are well-prepared to work with school groups, leading immersive educational programs that foster a strong connection between students and the environment. Camp Ondessonk's staff is also trained to deliver engaging specialty weekend activities, ensuring that campers of all ages can explore their passions and interests in a safe and supportive setting.
Additionally, their expertise extends to after-school programs, where they create enriching and educational experiences for participants, further strengthening their bond with nature and their school studies. With a commitment to education and the great outdoors, Camp Ondessonk's staff is dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of nature in all who pass through its Gate. |
Learning More About Camp Webinars
|
Camp Ondessonk is excited to launch an initiative, the "Learning More About Camp" webinar series, designed to provide invaluable insights and guidance to camper families as they prepare for the upcoming Summer Camp experience. These webinars are a comprehensive resource, addressing crucial topics such as homesickness management, expert packing tips, and essential advice for first-time campers.
By offering this informative and interactive platform, Camp Ondessonk aims to ease the transition for both parents and young campers, ensuring that everyone is well-prepared and excited for the adventures that await in the beautiful wilderness of the Camp. This initiative underscores Camp Ondessonk's commitment to fostering a sense of community and confidence among its campers and their families, making each Summer an unforgettable and enriching experience for all involved. The webinars will be held online Thursday, February 15, 2024, Thursday, March 14, 2024, and Thursday, April 18, 2024. |
13. Don't miss the beauty and fun at Camp Ondessonk this Fall!
|
Join us at Camp Ondessonk Saturday, October 28, 2023, for a day full of fun! Enjoy the fall colors onsite at our 13th annual Ondessonk Trail Races and Fall Festival.
The Ondessonk Trail Races offer a 5k Fun Run and the Manchester Trail 10k that will take you through Camp's beautiful forests, canyons, and pastures. The first race will begin at 9:00 am. Each participant will receive a trail race t-shirt. If you are unable to attend the event at Camp, you can register for our virtual 5k to support Camp’s mission in your own time. For more information or to register for a race, please visit: https://bit.ly/trailrace2023. The Fall Festival is a family friendly event from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday, October 28, 2023. This event features activities such as pony rides, handicrafts, archery, and more. Shop with local vendors and enjoy your favorite Camp activities at no cost! For more information or to apply as a vendor for this year's fall festival, please visit: https://ondessonk.com/events/. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Elizabeth Dirnbeck, development events coordinator, at elizabeth.dirnbeck@ondessonk.com or 618-695-2489 x112. |
14. Family News
Cole and Carolyn (McManus) Blechle Family
Rebekah (Krones) Bollinger's baby, Holly Clair
Jenny (Stroot) Eschman's baby, Elise Bea
Alli (Brown) Gettings and Nick Gettings' baby, Margaret Julia
Dani (Will) Goetz's baby, Savannah Catherine
|
|
Samm Lukert and Ethan Burlingame's wedding
Samm Lukert and Ethan Burlingame's wedding
Molly (Winkeler) Puffenberger's wedding
|
Andi Lukert's dogs, Jane and Henry
Meaghan Widman and her fiancé
|
Kelsey (Greenwell) Partenheimer's baby, Ada
Mary (Klueh) and Svetoslav Saev's baby, Sebastian
|
15. Giving A World of Good in the Campfire Circle
Vanessa and Matt during their time as summer staff (left) and as adults.
Vanessa and Matt with their children: Isaac, Josiah, Gus, Ezekiel, and Genevieve.
|
By Whitney Strang, Development Director
Ondessonk is a special place for Vanessa Alvarez-Biver and Matt Biver. Both were campers, were on summer staff for many summers, and both serve as volunteers. Vanessa explained, "Camp has deeply impacted our lives. It was the starting place for our lives together and now our kids are being positively impacted as well. We are forever grateful to Camp Ondessonk." She went on to describe how one of their greatest joys is the opportunity to share their love of Camp Ondessonk with their five children. "Some of our favorite memories are taking our kids to Camp for the first time when they were just babies and hiking around with them on our backs." Those babies have now grown into Ondessonk campers and staff members like their parents. In addition to supporting Summer Camp as volunteers, Vanessa and Matt also are members of Camp Ondessonk's monthly giving society, the Campfire Circle. When asked about their support of Camp, Vanessa shared how a slogan on a t-shirt inspires their continued support. "When we were on staff our shirts said, 'Camp Gives Kids a World of Good.' We believe this, but also believe that Camp gives the world good kids. The lessons learned at Camp are numerous and invaluable. It's important to us that Camp's work continues for many years to come." They also want to carry on the legacy of others who have supported Camp Ondessonk for the past 64 years. "Seeing all of the Camp Generations before us staying involved through volunteering and donating makes us proud to be a part of that legacy and inspires us to do more," Vanessa explained. Through their support, Vanessa and Matt are working to ensure Camp Ondessonk enriches lives and in doing so they are establishing their own legacy at Camp Ondessonk. If you would like to join Vanessa and Matt around the campfire, sign up to make monthly gifts to Camp Ondessonk and become a Campfire Circle member today! |
16. Dr. Dennis Dusek: From a Primitive Unit to the Operating Room with Camp in His Heart
Dennis on a monkey bridge he built over Ozark Creek for Woodsmanship in the summer of 1966. The creek would become lake Echon one year later.
Dennis, on the left, with Chuck Sullivan, Norb Belz, Gary Szymula, Steve Thomas, and Jack Levy, at Treva (Ma) Barker’s funeral in Elizabethtown, Ill., in 1969.
Mrs. Barker ran a general store in Ozark in the early years of Camp, and during the first year Camp was being built, she would feed the hungry young workers who would pile into the store after dark. She had a special affection for Camp, and she befriended the people of Ondessonk, even though the local community was a bit suspicious of Camp. (From Bill Clark’s memories.)
|
By Whitney Strang, Director of Development
Dennis Dusek joined the Le Coeur Society for a simple reason, to keep Camp Ondessonk the same for future generations of campers. He said, "I've never seen Camp Ondessonk as good as it is now. When I see the unbridled enthusiasm of the people who work in support of Camp, our volunteers, donors, and staff, it's truly amazing." Dennis has a good frame of reference; he has been a part of the Camp Family for 63 years. He was a camper for several summers beginning in 1960, a CIT in 1965, and a staff member as he finished high school and attended college. He has remained connected throughout his adult life and currently serves on Camp's Board of Directors. When talking about his time as a camper, Dennis explained, "Camp offered me an opportunity to develop myself outside of a baseball diamond or basketball court, and I'm grateful for that. At Camp, I developed my self-worth and that's something I treasure." As an adult, Dennis achieved his dream of becoming a doctor. Now retired, Dennis was an orthopedic surgeon and says his time on staff at Camp Ondessonk helped prepare him for surgery. With Norbert Belz as a fellow Unit Leader, Dennis helped develop and lead Camp's first primitive unit. The resourcefulness he learned during that Summer, along with his summers working in Nature and Woodsmanship, helped him adjust as needed during surgery. Knowing how he's benefitted from his experiences at Camp Ondessonk, Dennis believes strongly in the power of a week in the woods. "It (Summer Camp) takes children through a spiritual, or non-spiritual, experience with nature and develops a sense of community and personal confidence in a place without technology," Dennis shared. Dennis is proud and thankful he is a part of the Camp Ondessonk Family. He explained, "I feel like I owe something to Camp Ondessonk. I am part of a special group. Many of my closest friends came from Camp Ondessonk and I found many nurses and staff who knew about Camp throughout my professional career." To show his appreciation to Camp, and his friends he's made through Camp, he feels fortunate to support Camp Ondessonk during his lifetime and through a gift designated to Camp in his estate plans so future generations of campers can feel the same connection to something bigger than themselves. If you would like to join Dennis as a member of the Le Coeur Society, click here or contact Whitney Strang, Director of Development, at 618-695-2489 x114 or whitney.strang@ondessonk.com. If you have already included Camp Ondessonk in your estate plans, please complete this Le Coeur Society Letter of Intent so we can recognize you as a member of this special group. |
17. Ondessonk Trails
By Dr. Evan Coulson, Adventure & Group Services Director
An ancient form of intentional human infrastructure, trails connect people. Experiences along a trail can deepen a sense of place and can promote wellbeing. Trails invite opportunities to engage in service and can foster authentic and meaningful connections among those who get out to enjoy them.
Trails connect people to places. Camp Ondessonk utilizes an expansive, interconnecting network of historic and newly created hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to immerse people in 980+ acres of oak-hickory forest, sandstone barrens, and canyons, and sprawling pasturelands. My favorite trail, the old loop around Pine Lake, which now also incorporates a new section built by volunteers from the Bike Surgeon, transects the wood line just above the upper canyon rim around the Pakentuck area. This trail provides hikers, runners, and bikers with a brand-new perspective of the previously seldom-seen yet spectacularly scenic, rocky creek system that feeds Cedar Falls.
Trails connect people to others. Campers hike along them with newly formed friends to explore Ondessonk's many geologic wonders. Long-time friends visit for a weekend mountain bike ride or crisp fall run. Volunteers convene each season to care for and maintain these forest paths. Friendships are formed and community is strengthened along these trails.
Trails connect people to wellness. Researchers have linked trails with the promotion of both physical and emotional health. Multiple studies across decades have shown positive effects of trail use on stress reduction, attention restoration, and an overall heightened sense of wellbeing. Cardiovascular benefits have been tracked among consistent trail users resulting in a measurable reduction in preventable disease. In response, a growing community of medical practitioners are prescribing time on a trail as an effective approach to reducing anxiety and depression and preventing negative health concerns, as well as an affordable and accessible resource for prolonging quality of life.
Camp Ondessonk connects people to what matters most. For more than 60 years, our trail system has brought people together in community, developed within them a deeper sense of place, and provided them with resources for enhancing their own wellbeing. We invite you to prescribe for yourself some time on one of your favorite trails.
We look forward to seeing you out there again soon.
An ancient form of intentional human infrastructure, trails connect people. Experiences along a trail can deepen a sense of place and can promote wellbeing. Trails invite opportunities to engage in service and can foster authentic and meaningful connections among those who get out to enjoy them.
Trails connect people to places. Camp Ondessonk utilizes an expansive, interconnecting network of historic and newly created hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to immerse people in 980+ acres of oak-hickory forest, sandstone barrens, and canyons, and sprawling pasturelands. My favorite trail, the old loop around Pine Lake, which now also incorporates a new section built by volunteers from the Bike Surgeon, transects the wood line just above the upper canyon rim around the Pakentuck area. This trail provides hikers, runners, and bikers with a brand-new perspective of the previously seldom-seen yet spectacularly scenic, rocky creek system that feeds Cedar Falls.
Trails connect people to others. Campers hike along them with newly formed friends to explore Ondessonk's many geologic wonders. Long-time friends visit for a weekend mountain bike ride or crisp fall run. Volunteers convene each season to care for and maintain these forest paths. Friendships are formed and community is strengthened along these trails.
Trails connect people to wellness. Researchers have linked trails with the promotion of both physical and emotional health. Multiple studies across decades have shown positive effects of trail use on stress reduction, attention restoration, and an overall heightened sense of wellbeing. Cardiovascular benefits have been tracked among consistent trail users resulting in a measurable reduction in preventable disease. In response, a growing community of medical practitioners are prescribing time on a trail as an effective approach to reducing anxiety and depression and preventing negative health concerns, as well as an affordable and accessible resource for prolonging quality of life.
Camp Ondessonk connects people to what matters most. For more than 60 years, our trail system has brought people together in community, developed within them a deeper sense of place, and provided them with resources for enhancing their own wellbeing. We invite you to prescribe for yourself some time on one of your favorite trails.
We look forward to seeing you out there again soon.
18. ONDESSONK CHILI
|
By Javette Cox, Food Services Director
SERVES: 12 PREP TIME: 15 MIN COOK TIME: 30 MIN INGREDIENTS: 4 lbs ground beef 2 ½ cups diced onion 1 cup diced green pepper 5 cups diced tomatoes in juice 3 ½ cups tomato juice ¼ cup chili seasoning 3 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1/8 cup franks – hot sauce, optional DIRECTIONS: Cook the hamburger with the onion and green pepper. Add the tomatoes, tomato juice, and chili seasoning. Heat until hot and then simmer for 30 minutes. If you add the hot sauce, do so after the simmer. Add the kidney beans and serve. We like to serve our chili with baked potatoes, Fritos, or hot dogs. |
2023 Camp Ondessonk Board of Directors
|
Chris Cahnovsky, President
Regional Manager Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Jacquelyn (Savage) McKay, Vice President Retired Katie Birge, Secretary Associate and Head of Platform M25 Fr. Brian Barker Pastor St. Joseph Parish, Marion; St. Paul Parish, Johnston City Steve Bushong Professor Southwestern Illinois College Dennis Dusek Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Carrie Keller Attorney General Counsel, Budrovich Companies Stephen Mahieu Deputy General Counsel The Kraft Heinz Company Deacon Thomas Powers Business Operations Analyst U.S. Bank |
Scott Richter
Quality Engineer Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Jennifer (Drainer) Schauster School Teacher Immaculate Conception School Jean (Schwartz) Weiss Retired Entrepreneur Ken Wetstein Vice-President for University Advancement Eastern Illinois University Scott Wobbe Security Specialist United States Air Force Ex Officio Trustees: Most Reverend Michael G. McGovern Bishop Diocese of Belleville Very Reverend Steven L. Beatty V.G. Vicar General Diocese of Belleville Jonathan Birdsong Superintendent of Schools/Director of Education Diocese of Belleville |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Double Your Impact!Many employers offer a matching gift program that can increase the value of your gift to Camp Ondessonk. Some companies also will match charitable contributions given by retirees or spouses and will give up to one year after the donation to request a match.
Click here to find out if your employer has a matching gift program, and to learn how to access the program. |
|
