​From The Director's Desk

By Dan King

Spring officially began several days ago on Sunday, March 20.  Today’s high temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit indicated otherwise.  Daylight savings time started the previous week. Those are two of the annual reminders that summer camp is coming.  More than 2,000 campers are already registered - about 300 more than were signed-up at this time last year.  Some sessions are nearing capacity, but plenty of space remains.  We expect another 1,000 children to enroll. 

It feels as if the worst of the pandemic is finally behind us.  Even so, we will proceed with the sort of caution demanded by our duty to protect the children in our care.  COVID tests, likely the greatest weapon in our fight to remain outbreak free last summer, will return for summer camp 2022.  Campers will be tested upon arrival.  Our staff and vol​unteers will test weekly. Meanwhile, we are also working to provide a camper experience that is as close to normal as possible.  For example, like the system currently used for public schools in Illinois, wearing masks will be optional for campers in most situations if community infection rates remain low.  Our Roadmap to 2022 Summer Camp provides greater detail.

Thanks to you and other Camp friends, our financial position continues to improve.  In fact, things are so good that we’re no longer treading water.  We’re swimming again!  Speaking of water, a new Shawnee Screamer waterslide will be installed before summer camp begins on June 5.  The slide’s manufacturer told us we should budget to replace our original slide in five to seven years when we purchased it in 2011. They also told us we could make it last longer by treating it often with UV protectant and by putting it away promptly at the end of each swimming season.  We took their advice and made ours last more than 10 years.  It reached the replacement point at the end of last summer.  Thousands of campers will gleefully use the new slide this summer.  

Camp and its campers are strengthened immensely by friends like you.  Until next time…

• Please continue taking precautions to protect yourself and your family from the virus. 
• Please pray that the loss and disruption caused by the virus will continue to diminish. 
• If you haven’t already enrolled, please consider participating in the Campfire Circle monthly giving program by giving an amount of your choice each month.  Giving this way provides steady, mission supporting revenue.  Visit our giving page to enroll.  We now have 250 members. These members support camp and its campers by collectively giving more than $9,000 each month! 
• Please participate in Camp’s programs and services.  When you visit Ondessonk for camping, lodging, meals, small-group seminars & retreats, and other programs, you generate operating revenue that helps sustain and grow the organization.  Plus, you get to be at Camp Ondessonk!  Click on our event calendar for information about booking unit camping, lodging, and other services and programs.
• Be kind. Lift people. Love one another.

May God’s hands keep and guide the Campers of Ondessonk and may you find ways to keep camp in your life for the rest of your life.

Sincerely,
Dan King

In this issue...

1.   The Gift of a Week in the Woods

"We believe in the mission of Camp.  It's important to take kids out of the city and let them disconnect from electronics."

​By Whitney Strang, Director of Development

Camp has been a part of Tom Lamczyk's life for more than 50 years, and he wants to make sure the mission continues for generations to come.

Tom's first experience with Camp was as a camper in 1970.  He returned to Camp as a staff member, serving as unit leader and C.I.T. director from 1978 to 1980 and as the Frontier Unit director for a full year in 1981.

Tom's work for Union Pacific Railroad moved his family to Nebraska making visiting Camp difficult, but his love of Camp and commitment to its mission remained.  Tom said, "Camp has always been a unique place that allows kids to grow, both as campers and staff, and experience God's wilderness."

When the Le Couer Society was established last year Tom and his wife, Sue, became Founding Members with the intent of ensuring children with financial need would be able to enjoy the life-changing experience of a week at Camp Ondessonk.  Tom explained that they directed their estate gift to support scholarships because, "We believe in the mission of Camp.  It's important to take kids out of the city and let them disconnect from electronics."
 
He went on, "We joined the Le Coeur Society to keep the tradition alive and participate in the life of Camp.  It's something bigger that I am, and Camp will live on."

In the coming year, Tom and Sue are planning to relocate to the St. Louis area following his retirement.  In addition to being close to family, he's looking forward to being within driving distance of Camp.

To learn more about how you could designate a legacy gift to an area of Camp close to your heart, click here or contact Whitney Strang, Director of Development, at 618-695-2489 x114 or [email protected].

If you have already included Camp Ondessonk in your estate plans, please complete this Le Coeur Society Letter of Intent and join Tom and Sue as members of the Le Coeur Society.

2.  Fournie Lodge Complete!

On Saturday, March 19th, Camp celebrated the completion of the renovation of Fournie Lodge.  The building, which once served as Camp's administrative office, is now our newest rental property.
​ 
The project was made possible by dedicated volunteers, substantial in-kind donations, and generous financial contributions.
​
To book your stay in Fournie Lodge, call (618) 695-2489 x 116.

3.  Trivia Night 2022 Recap

“Many teams came just for fun, but our winning tables meant business.”

​By Emily Reider, Event and Marketing

Nearly 200 Camp friends supported Ondessonk's Trivia Night and its mission of "Teaching what matters most" on Saturday, March 5th, at Holy Trinity in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

StoneTree Fabrications was the event sponsor for the evening, accompanied by round sponsors Tom Young, Sr., and The Lodge at Pine Lake.  All the teams and volunteers created a fun and exciting atmosphere full of friendly competition.  There were ten rounds of Trivia with eight questions per round, including topics such as Music, Disney, and "Everything Ondessonk."

Following round three, an intense game of Heads or Tails took place – this is a game where each individual pays one dollar to play, and then they choose heads or tails by placing their hands on their head or rear, respectively.  The judge flips a coin, and whichever players guessed the coin flip correctly stay in while the others sit down.  The game continues until one person is left standing, who wins half of the amount collected.  The winner of Heads or Tails was Katie Littlejohn.

In addition, there was a Pick Your Prize Raffle that included prizes such as a week of summer camp 2022, a weekend stay in St. Noel, and a St. Louis Distillery tour.

Many teams came just for fun, but our winning tables meant business.  The top three tables winning Trivia were as follows: 3rd place – Table 19, captained by Board of Directors President Chris Cahnovsky; 2nd place – Table 18, captained by Dru Kee; and 1st place – Table 6, captained by Roger Kapp.  A huge Heepwah goes out to the winners that donated their cash prizes back to Camp Ondessonk!

Overall, our Trivia Night raised $7,895.50, which was incredible.  Thank you so much to everyone who came to play and our fantastic volunteers who helped make the night possible.

4.  Roadmap to 2022 Summer Camp

Our leadership team periodically assesses and alters Camp's COVID operations plan as conditions change. As you know, COVID infections continue to impact our country, region, and even our local area. We have successfully provided our camp guests with highly valued outdoor education programs, family camping, and outdoor events in recent months. We've found that children and adults alike are presently quite drawn to outdoor experiences.

Our efforts in 2021 to responsibly provide quality services in the midst of a pandemic required us to successfully create and follow virus transmission mitigations protocols for every operation area. That practical knowledge will be incorporated into our 2022 operations. Some mitigations, like arrival day Covid testing, will remain the same. Some mitigations may be less restrictive. Of course, we will carefully follow operating guidelines created by CDC, best practices as advised by the ACA, and, when published, additional guidance issued by IDPH and IDCEO.

​We can't wait for the day we greet your arriving camper on the covered bridge. Further, we look forward to the opportunity to execute the plans we are working so hard to create.  Click Here to view the Camp Ondessonk Roadmap to 2022 Summer Camp

5.  MEET OUR NEW FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS

​By Ondessonk Staff

​Javette Grant - Food Services Director
Javette landed at Camp in 2014 with 16 years of prior professional food service experience.  Grant stated, "My favorite thing about cooking is pleasing other people.  I love the reward of people eating what I cook and enjoying it.  Cooking has always been a way for me to express myself."  She was working as a Food Supervisor at a local nursing home and wanted something more challenging.  She had previously managed the kitchen at a small private school before moving to Southern Illinois, and she missed working with the kids.  Javette currently serves as the Food Service Manager at Camp Ondessonk.  Her job is to ensure that the kitchen is run in a manner that abides by state guidelines and that our food is safe and tastes good.  Year-round she does most of the planning and cooking for guests and maintains a fully functional kitchen.  This Summer, she is excited to roll out some new menu ideas, including chicken enchiladas, and add some extras to the salad bar.  In her free time, she loves to craft, try new recipes with her five-year-old grandson that he picks from pictures off the web or in books, and relax on her deck overlooking the Lake of Egypt.  Click Here to take the Food Services Program Survey.

Chris Bretscher - Program Director
Chris has been a long-time member of the Camp Ondessonk Community.  Throughout the years, Chris has been a camper, Summer Staff, Outdoor Educator, volunteer, and beginning in August 2021, he joined the year-round team as the Program Director.  When not in the office or observing activities, Chris loves to take groups on All Day Hikes to explore the outstanding natural features of Camp Ondessonk and the region.  Chris believes the natural features of Camp provide a magical opportunity for youth (and adults) to truly experience the outdoors filled with teachable moments to spark new interests.  One of Chris's favorite parts of the Summer is the whole camp programs that build a long-lasting sense of community among campers and staff.  Chris is excited to grow personally and professionally as he continues as Program Director.

6.  Giving Back is Second Nature to this Long-Time Volunteer

"I personally volunteer to give back.  I know someone built Camp for me, and I feel it my turn to do it for some young camper like I was.  Camp has always been a big part of my life."

By Judy Blase Woodruff, Fund Development Consultant

The year was 1975, and Frank Pace began attending Camp Ondessonk as a camper, and by 1979, he was a C.I.T. (Counselor in Training).  As a young adult, Frank began volunteering in 1985 with the St. Albert the Great crew from Fairview Heights, Ill., run by the late Dave McCoy.

Frank knew a lot of people in that group from school – some were classmates and some parents.  When he first began volunteering, the St. Noel building was being built and the St. Albert's volunteers worked on it.  Over the years, Frank logged in many hours working on projects like the floating docks at Lake St. Isaac, repairing roofs on the Original Administration Building, the Health Center, and Ranger Mike Jennings' house, and helping build the new Gazebo at the swimming area.  There were small projects as well, like painting and splitting wood.

When St. Albert the Great Parish merged with Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, more Camp volunteers joined the newly-created Holy Trinity Parish.  After years of leading the volunteers of St. Albert's, Dave McCoy retired, but first he went to Frank and asked if he would take over recruiting volunteers for Camp Ondessonk.  Mike Jennings convinced Frank to do it, thus he became the new leader of the Holy Trinity volunteers.  Frank says, "I cannot stress enough that I just call the guys and they show up and get the job done.  I owe a lot to people like the entire Kapp family, Andy Siebert, B.J. Heof, Larry Mank, the Holland family, the Etling family, and, of course, Dave McCoy." 

Frank's wife, Loriann, is very supportive of his volunteering - and of Camp as a whole.  Frank shared, "I personally volunteer to give back.  I know someone built Camp for me, and I feel it my turn to do it for some young camper like I was.  Camp has always been a big part of my life."

Recently, a group of Holy Trinity volunteers installed the water line for the new Staff Duplex.  In a couple of weeks, Frank's group will be back at Camp doing whatever Ranger Mike has lined up for them.

Frank wants to stress how much volunteering means to Camp.  "I want to reach out to any young people in the trades (or not) to volunteer for Camp.  If you have talents that Camp can use, please share them.  I know my group is getting older, and I can't seem to find younger replacements, and that's what we need now to keep it going.  I will keep volunteering until I can't do it anymore.  HEEPWAH!"

7.   Sustainability & Gardening at Camp Ondessonk

"Campers took responsibility for their food scraps, trash, and recyclable items and learned about the process of each along the way."

By Emily Reider, Event & Marketing Coordinator
​
Camp Ondessonk is passionate about upholding its vision and core values and does so in many ways.  Through teaching campers and staff sustainable practices and gardening to help supplement the food supply in the Summer, Ondessonk is inspiring leadership and lifelong learning, promoting stewardship and appreciation of God's gifts, and practicing conscientious use of resources.  Summer 2021 presented an extra unique opportunity for staff and campers to participate in Camp's sustainability practices.  Due to eating most meals in the unit, there was extra waste produced throughout Camp rather than in more concentrated areas such as the Dining Hall or main area.  To keep meal-time trash low, the kitchen packed out as much food as possible in compostable containers, sent compostable utensils, and even reusable serving ware to each unit.  This helped cut down on trash immensely and offered campers and staff the opportunity to practice composting, with each unit having a special receptacle designated for trash, recycle, and compost, which got emptied at least once per day.  Campers took responsibility for their food scraps, trash, and recyclable items and learned about the process of each along the way.  Once the compost was collected from each unit, it was brought to a larger compost location on property and was maintained by the kitchen and health and sanitation crews.

In addition to properly caring for waste produced at Camp, the year-round and Summer staff care for a garden most years to supplement produce for meals.  This year's garden is in the seedling stages, with ground planting right around the corner!  Plants that are typically included in the garden are mostly vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, kale, and flowers are also added to encourage pollinators like bees to help increase garden output.  The O.W.L. participants will also help care for the garden over the Summer as a learning opportunity about growth, progress, and responsibility.  Camp Ondessonk is proud to practice sustainability and maintain a garden to help keep our menu fresh and homegrown.

8.  The Rogue Scholars

"None of them had heard about Camp Ondessonk before participating through Road Scholar but fell in love right away."

By Catherine Limkeman, Equestrian Director

Camp Ondessonk brings together enthusiastic people, those with a passion for adventure, nature, finding rest, finding God, or enjoying all those things while on horseback.  In the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, our Catholic Youth Camp is a secret treasure of the Midwest, and it is always exciting when new friends discover the magic of this place.  A particular group of wonderful people made this discovery together in 2018.  Drawn here because of their passion for learning about horses, the famous five soon became known as “The Rogue Scholars.”

Camp has previously partnered with Road Scholar, an organization designed to help people continue to learn and explore new places and ideas in their retirement.  Ondessonk had two horse-centric program offerings: Intro to Horsemanship and Advanced Horsemanship.  Both programs emphasized the direct care of horses, so the participants could foster a partnership with their steed as they fed, groomed, and saddled their designated horse.  That horse, in turn, cared for them as they rode together throughout the week.  The main differences between the two programs were based on previous horse experience.  The advanced program was geared toward individuals who had previous horse experience to build upon a base knowledge of skills and dive deeper than the intro program.

The “Rogue Scholars” were an advanced group with experiences ranging from owning horses to show jumping to extensive trail riding.  None of them had heard about Camp Ondessonk before participating through Road Scholar but fell in love right away.  Richard, a “Rogue Scholar” who had attended the Ondessonk Road Scholar horse program previous to 2018, immediately told the others about his experience; Ondessonk had become his annual “Horse Camp” trip and asked if they were all going to become captivated like he was.  The other group members had not seen much more than Camp’s driveway at that point, but it did not take long for them to echo Richard’s sentiments and sign up for the next year, with the addition of a few days added onto the program.  This extraordinary group kept adding additional days of dedicated lessons and programs every year.  Consequently, they decided to “go altogether Rogue” and create their own week-long experience, catered to their learning interests and personal goals.  Parting from the traditional programming path is how they became the self-proclaimed “Rogue Scholars.”

On that first trip, the group meshed naturally, even with their diversity of careers and backgrounds.  The “Rogue Scholars” are thoughtful, caring, successful individuals with a shared love of horses and commitment to looking beyond their utilitarian nature and into the relational partnership one can create while growing in trust and understanding.  Their shared experiences in the barn and in the saddle formed a baseline that grew into sharing their life experiences as we rode through the woods, sat around campfires, and sipped drinks on the back porch.  Like many groups that have passed through these gates, these friends have developed a life-long bond evidenced by the constant laughter, depth of stories they share, the good-natured eyerolls they give each other, and how they always have on the calendar their next visit before they say goodbye. Though this group visits other equine facilities throughout the year together, Camp Ondessonk Stables is the only one they return to annually.  They say that though other facilities may be easier to get to, they return to Ondessonk because of their quality experiences every time they come back to Camp O.  As they roll down Camp Road, stress melts away.  Excitement unfolds for what new adventures Camp will bring.

​Though they come to unwind, catch up, and enjoy some quality time with horses, they also come because they have fallen in love with Camp’s herd and the way our horse programs impact lives.  They support and give back to our equestrian program as donors, friends, participants, and advocates!  It is an honor to work with the “Rogue Scholars,” and I hope their example of chasing a shared passion for equine experiences will spark interest in others to follow their example to go rogue.  To learn more about our Equestrian programs click here.

9.  Memorabilia Auction

We invite all Camp Friends to join us for a Camp O Memorabilia Virtual Auction!  Beginning Monday, September 5th, and concluding with a live Zoom event on Saturday, September 10th, participants will have the opportunity to bid on many unique Camp memorabilia items.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Ondessonk.  These resources are needed to help sustain and enhance programs, fund summer camp scholarships, and support new initiatives to fulfill our mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages.

If you have any questions or Camp memorabilia you would like to donate to the Auction; please contact the Event and Marketing Coordinator, Emily Reider, at [email protected] or (618) 695-2489 x112

10. Emerging Leaders O.W.L. & C.I.T. Programs

"The past couple of years, and the unique challenges that they brought, have helped us to recognize the need for adaptation and the opportunity for growth in our leadership progression."

By Chris Bretscher, Program Director

Camp Ondessonk has a long and rich tradition of fostering individual and group growth for all those that cross the covered bridge.  Over the past 63 years, we have seen campers grow from young children into incredible staff, inspiring volunteers, and outstanding community leaders at Camp and beyond.

In an effort to continue this proud tradition while adapting to the changing needs of young, emerging leaders, we have taken the first steps to reinvigorate the leadership progression at Camp Ondessonk.  This Summer will see the introduction of the Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership Program for individuals aged 15 or going into 10th grade, as well as a reimagining of our L.I.T. program into the new C.I.T. program.  Both new programs look back to our history to incorporate some of the most important aspects of the old C.I.T. and L.I.T. programs, while injecting new life and cutting-edge pedagogical, sociocultural, and faith-based theories to guide our participants in their growth journey.  Broadly speaking, the O.W.L. program will focus on developing leadership and problem-solving skills that can be broadly applied throughout life, while helping participants on their journey of self-discovery and actualization.  The C.I.T. program provides the opportunity for individuals to continue their journey, while more specifically focusing on Ondessonk-specific skills and training the counselors and camp leadership of the future.

The Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership (O.W.L.) Program is a two-week experience inspired by the ideas of Kurt Hahn, Paul Petzoldt, Jim Cain, Ignatian Pedagogy, and other leading thinkers and movements in Outdoor Education and contemporary Psychology.  We at Camp Ondessonk believe in the importance of cultivating leadership and problem-solving skills through a wholistic attention to the participant as a living, breathing, and, most importantly, growing person. By meeting participants in the O.W.L. program where they are and helping to guide them on their journey through intentional sequencing and thoughtful mentorship, we hope to nurture the transition from camper to emerging leader.  Participants in the O.W.L.  Program can expect to learn and grow in a community of peers and mentors dedicated to the mutual journey of self-discovery and the passing down of knowledge and experience cultivated throughout the past several decades.  As a part of this program, participants will spend time practicing team building, exploring the Shawnee National Forest in a two-day trip modeled on N.O.L.s principles of Adventure Education, planning and facilitating programming for Mini Campers, learning to teach some of the cornerstone activities of Camp's long history, and taking time along the way to reflect, journal, and debrief.

The Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) Program is designed to prepare the next generation of Camp Ondessonk counselors.  This four-week program sees 16-year-olds (or individuals going into 11th grade) live and work within a unit while rotating through a different activity area each week.  Throughout this time, C.I.T.s will learn the ins-and-outs of Camp Ondessonk as an organization, get a taste of the behind-the-scenes logistics, and develop facilitation competencies that will set them up for success as activity or service area staff the following Summer.  In addition to this hands-on experience, C.I.T.s can expect to be guided through continued learning of soft skills and leadership development, as well as having a dedicated member of the Ondessonk administration team to serve as a mentor, guiding personal development and self-discovery.  This program is entirely different from last year's C.I.T. program, and those that were C.I.T.s in the Summer of 2021 will still have much to gain from participation in this new iteration, as they take their first steps into the Ondessonk summer staff team.

The past couple of years, and the unique challenges that they brought, have helped us to recognize the need for adaptation and the opportunity for growth in our leadership progression.  Our hope is that the changes we have made for this year will help our young community members to learn, grow, and push themselves while providing the support and guidance necessary for each individual to find success and progress in his or her personal and professional journey.  The interview process for this Summer's C.I.T. positions has already concluded, but we still have some spots open in the O.W.L. program.  If you or someone that you know is interested in learning more about either of these opportunities for this Summer or into the future, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (618) 695-2489, or email Nolan or Chris at [email protected] or [email protected].  We are excited for what this Summer holds, and eager to find renewed vigor and depth in our leadership development programs.  Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership program (O.W.L.) 

11.  Burst of Life

"The showiest flowers attract butterflies, bees, and wasps.  If all goes according to plan, flowers get fertilized to produce seeds and some species produce capsules with seeds surrounded by elaiosomes."

By Christopher Benda, Illinois Botanizer

Spring is such a magical time of the year and as a botanist, I eagerly await the burst of life that begins in February in southern Illinois with the bloom of the aptly named harbinger-of-spring.  This tiny plant in the carrot family can be observed in high quality woodlands, like in the nature preserves at Giant City State Park and Ferne Clyffe State Park.  Also blooming in February are many trees and shrubs.  Sometimes overlooked because of their inconspicuous flowers, maples, elms, and hazelnuts are among the earliest to bloom, followed by spicebush, buckeyes, Viburnums, flowering dogwood, redbud, oaks, and hickories.  These common woody plants can be seen throughout the woods and even while driving around the area.

Yet the most exciting and colorful blooms begin in March with the spring ephemeral wildflowers.  Named so because these plants are ephemeral, meaning they are only present for a brief time in the spring, these perennial plants occur in highly productive soils in shaded woods and sprout, photosynthesize, and reproduce in just a few weeks before the canopy trees leaf out, obscuring sunlight and hindering growth.  Because these plants can only photosynthesize for a few weeks each year, it can take up to 10 years before they store enough energy to produce flowers.  This is why you might see populations with lots of leafy individuals and few flowers, particularly with species like mayapple and trout lily.  

These early flowers are important food sources for a variety of native pollinators.  Maroon flowers emit a foul odor and tend to be favored by carrion feeders like flies and beetles.  Hummingbirds frequently visit red flowers like red buckeye.  The showiest flowers attract butterflies, bees, and wasps.  If all goes according to plan, flowers get fertilized to produce seeds and some species produce capsules with seeds surrounded by elaiosomes.  These structures are rich with lipids and are favored by ants, which aid in the dispersal of the seeds by carrying them off to their nests, consuming the fatty tissue and discarding the hard seed in nutrient rich ant excrement, i.e., fertilizer.  

​Common early spring wildflowers in southern Illinois include wild ginger, spring beauty, toothwort, Dutchman's breeches, dwarf larkspur, Trilliums, Virginia bluebells, wood poppy, Phacelias, buttercups, wild garlic, Jacob's ladder, bluets, bellwort, mayapple, trout lilies, Corydalis, and many more.  Some wildflowers that can only be seen in high quality natural areas include Hepatica, hoary puccoon, wood betony, wild hyacinth, yellow lady slipper, Synandra, pink Valerian, green Trillium, French's shooting star, dwarf crested Iris, wild azalea, sessile bellwort, and others.  Some of these are rare and monitored by volunteers with the Plants of Concern southern Illinois team.  For more about the program, please visit plantsofconcern.org. 

Fortunately, there are many great places to hike and view wildflowers in southern Illinois.  For more information about this topic, see the Illinois Native Plants Society's Guide to Spring Wildflower Hikes in Southern Illinois and the Rapid Field Guide of spring flora found south of Route 64 at this link, illinoisplants.org/other-publications/.
​
Chris Benda is a botanist at Southern Illinois University and naturalist at Camp Ondessonk.  He can be reached via his website illinoisbotanizer.com.
​

12.  Ondessonk Snapshots​

St Patrick's Day Parade

On March 12th, 2022, St Patrick's Day Parade was one of the coldest, with the wind chill at 0 degrees.  Camp Ondessonk's volunteers shared their Camp spirit with thousands of patrons lining the parade route in beautiful downtown Belleville, Illinois.  Heepwahs and Camp Songs filled the air as the Ondessonk float made its way through the crowded streets.  A special thanks to this year's volunteers who helped preserve Camp's participation in this time-honored tradition.

11th Annual Ondessonk Online

Maggie Couri checking in Ondessonk Online campers

Led by the former staff member and volunteer Emma Klues, Camp Ondessonk launched another week of digital summer camp on Facebook.  Ondessonk Online participants of all ages enjoyed making new friends and reuniting with old ones.  Campers joined units, shared explorations,  made snog, and competed for the coveted Golden Arrowhead.

Summer Expo 2022

Emily Reider at Parkway-Rockwood Summer Expo

Emily Reider, Event & Marketing Coordinator, greeted interested patrons at the Parkway-Rockwood Summer Expo 2022.  This year's event was at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, Missouri, with over 100 vendors and 1000 potential camper families.

Getting Ready for Camp Webinar

The Getting Ready for Camp Webinar is an excellent way for new and returning camper families to hear about Camp Ondessonk's summer camp planning for 2022 and see a virtual unit tour.  You will meet some of our leadership staff and have the opportunity to ask Camping Services Director Nolan Hurst and Sr. Director of Communications Tony Vrooman questions about the Camp O experience.  The Getting Ready for Camp Webinars will be held on April 12th, 2022, at 6:30 PM, April 30th, 2022, at 10:00 AM, May 12th, 2022, at 6:30 PM, and May 23rd, 2022, at 6:30 PM.

13.  WHERE ARE THEY NOW?  Jack Larimer​

"Jack, who also worked for U.T.'s alumni association, said Ondessonk's ability to retain alumni is incredible.  And that investment is needed now more than ever."

​By Anna Spoerre

Jack Larimer remembers that summer day fondly.  He was new to the barn, working as a wrangler during one of his first summers on staff.  It was raining, and without the possibility of taking the campers out on a trail ride, he didn't know what the barn staff was going to do.

He watched as Lauren Lilly, came up with a new plan for how to still teach and entertain the kids in the barn despite the downpour.  Jack, who figured the lesson was going to be a bust, said he was left in awe of how quickly Lauren adapted and how well the kids received it. It's a lesson that's followed him since. 

"It's such a great group of people who are so creative, so hard-working and so committed to what they do," he said of Ondessonk staff.  "You know, it's hard to find teenagers and college kids to do that." 

Jack, now a couple years removed from his last Summer on staff, joined the camp family when he was 10, after Ondessonk staff gave a presentation at the Catholic school he attended in O'Fallon.  He went back every year after.  In 2012, he was a C.I.T., eventually working as a wrangler, head wrangler, and then a unit leader in 2019, the Summer after he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in economics and political science.

His final Summer at Camp was 2020.  What was supposed to be an assignment as head counselor became a jack-of-all-trades position on the skeleton crew camp hired while the pandemic kept campers away in the traditional capacity.  That Summer, they test-ran a lot of the ideas that were later implemented in summer 2021, when campers returned.

Now, Jack is excited for what a return to Camp post-pandemic means for kids.  Face-to-face connections they've so desperately needed.  Meeting new peers.  Flexing their creative muscles.  Enjoying the great outdoors.  Finding joy in the smallest moments and actions, like playing in a creek with a handful of rocks. 

"Just like anything with camp, it's a mutually beneficial relationship," said Jack, who now works in commodities analysis in the agriculture sector, based out of Memphis, where he's enjoying watching the Grizzlies and eating B.B.Q.  He attributes his confidence while communicating and the leadership skills he uses each day at work to the opportunities camp offered him as a teenager and young adult. 

Camp also taught him to never count someone out as a friend.  "So many genuine relationships came from giving someone a chance, both when he was a camper and staff member", Jack said.  It carries over well into his life now.  "I think you can learn a lot from the diversity of people you meet, and I think that's something that the world needs," he said.

Jack, who also worked for U.T.'s alumni association, said Ondessonk's ability to retain alumni is incredible.  And that investment is needed now more than ever.  "We've always been run by volunteers, and I think the community only grows after you stop working," he said, adding that it's never too early or too late to ask one simple question: "How can I help?" 

"Camp needs the people.  It can't always be the Jim Shivelys doing everything," Jack said.  "So many young people have skills.  Come and be a part of the community."

14.  Family News​

Alli Brown and fiancé, Nick Gettings

Katie (Dennis) Cooper's baby, Ruthie Camille

Carmen Cronin, husband and puppy, Murphy

Paige Daugherty and fiancé, Ethan Fowler

Kelly Flynn and her fiancé

Megan Haas' puppy, Lenny

Chase Halgerson and wife, Regan

Lizz (Donberger) Hoffman's puppy, Winnie

Molly (Loughran) and Derek Imming's baby, Ruth Alice

• Amanda Bailey began a new job as a graphic designer for Total Quality Logistics in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  
  
• Alli Brown is engaged to Nick Gettings and plans to marry in November 2022.
  
  
• Robyn Cler bought a house in St. Louis, Mo., adopted a new cat, and started her first "real" job at Ranken Jordan Children's Hospital as a recreation therapist. 
  
  
• Caley Cook earned her Master of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, emphasizing art education from University of Missouri (Mizzou).
  
  
• Katie (Dennis) Cooper and her husband welcomed their baby, Ruthie Camille, September 9, 2021.
  
  
• Carmen Cronin was married June 11, 2021, adopted a rescue pup named Murphy, and started her master's degree in Hispanic Linguistics at the University of Georgia Athens on a full-ride/TAship.
  
  
• Paige Daugherty and Ethan Fowler were engaged July 21, 2021, and plan to get married July 30, 2022.
  
  
• Maureen Fitzgerald has worked in Wilderness Therapy for the past two years.  She decided to switch things up by moving to Asheville, N.C., working in recovery and mental health.  She also has a new puppy!
  
  
• Kelly Flynn got engaged in October 2021 and plans to be married on the Knik Glacier in Alaska in November 2022.
  
  
• Kaela Guglielmo paid off all of her student loan debt.
  
  
• Megan Haas moved to Atlanta, Ga., and started a new job as a healthcare recruiter.  She also added a fur baby, Lenny, to her family!
  
  
• Chase Halgerson and his wife Regan were married over the summer in Monarch, Colo., and purchased a home in Aurora, Colo.
  
  
• Chuck Hansen and his wife are welcoming a new baby April 27, 2022.
  
  
• Ashley (Bergman) Hays started teaching biology and horticulture at Belleville West High School.  This past summer, she and her husband, Byron, bought their first house.
  
  
• Lizz (Donberger) Hoffman bought a house that sits on an acre of land.  They welcomed a new fur child, Winnie.
  
  
• Beth and James Holloway are expecting a baby girl in May 2022!
  
  
• Molly (Loughran) Imming and her husband, Derek, welcomed their "Happy Camper" Ruth Alice Imming October 12, 2021. 
  
  
• Andi Lukert moved into her first apartment with her partner Aaron and their dog, Jane.  She graduates in May with a double major in Exercise Science and Psychology.  Andi plans to continue working at her current autism facility.
  
  
• Samm Lukert finally created the iconic cake from the Great British Bake Off opening credits.  She also reconnected with former Camp Ondessonk alum Emily Wells in Duluth, Minn., and took up cross country skiing.
  
  
• Kate Murname became engaged October 2, 2021.  The wedding day is set for August 13, 2022, in St. Joseph, Minn.
  
  
• Nikki Niggemeyer and partner, Zach, bought a house in Fairview Heights, Ill.
  
  
• Amy O'Shaughnessy accepted a Development Director role with the public radio and television stations at Indiana University.  After more than a decade in Iowa, she and her family are moving to Bloomington, Ind. this summer for new adventures and being closer to family and friends (and Camp!)
  
  
• Nick Petz and Maddie Jackstadt got married November 20, 2021.
  
  
• Kyle Schrage is in year five of teaching in the Herscher School District – fifth year at the high school and second year with middle school.  He has six choir groups from 5th grade through 12th grade.
  
  
• Olivia (Hammond) Starkey and Joey Starkey were finally able to have their wedding and celebrate their marriage with all of their close friends and family.  Additionally, Olivia began a new role as the nursing educator for the emergency department at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.  (Check out this Camp Ondessonk bridal party!) 
  
  
• Lily Voss married Sean Pierce May 15, 2021. 
  
  

Nick Petz and Maddie Jackstadt

Olivia (Hammond) and Joey Starkey

Samm Lukert and Emily Wells

Olivia (Hammond) Starkey's all-star Camp O wedding party

Lily Voss and Sean Pierce

Samm Lukert's iconic cake from the Great British Bake Off

Kate Murname and her fiancé

15.  Maddie McGeffers Follows in Dad's Footsteps

"Because of her love of Camp, Maddie wants to help ensure other campers and families can form similar bonds with family and friends."

By Whitney Strang, Director of Development
​
Camp Ondessonk is a family tradition for Maddie McGeffers. "My relationship with Camp started before I was born," she explained, "My dad, Jim McHugh, worked at Camp when he was in high school and college."

When Maddie was in middle school, her dad reconnected with some Camp friends and they decided to volunteer together during the Summer.  He signed Maddie up to attend Camp that same week, "and the rest is history."

​Growing up in Montana, Maddie and her dad prioritized making it back to Camp each Summer.  She was a camper for 3 years, completed the C.I.T. and L.I.T. programs and she worked on staff as a Nature Instructor and as one of Camp's first videographers.

Because of her love of Camp, Maddie wants to help ensure other campers and families can form similar bonds with family and friends.  To do this, she recently decided to give back to Camp by becoming a member of the Campfire Circle.  "It's something I had been considering for a long time but did not have the disposable income to contribute until recently.  Giving monthly makes it easier for me to give more over the span of a year because it's easier for me to budget."

Maddie encourages others who love Camp to join her by making a monthly gift.  "Sometimes we can be intimidated by the word' donation.' If you are on the fence, start with a small $10 donation, or by giving $5/month.  When you are ready, you can give again or increase your monthly donation."

Enroll in the Campfire Circle today to join Maddie and more than 250 other members who invest in Camp's mission each month!

16.  Camp O Day Save the Date

It's Time to Celebrate Camp!

Camp O Day is back on June 28th, 2022!   This special day celebrates the very first day of summer camp at Camp Ondessonk in 1959.  

Join the tradition of giving back to celebrate Camp Ondessonk in one or more of the following ways:

• Please help us spread the word by posting your Camp memories or sharing Camp's social media posts with your friends.
• Give through one or more of the following ways:
  • Donations to support the mission of Camp Ondessonk
  • In-kind gifts to provide supplies 
  • Pledges from volunteers to help with work projects around Camp

2022 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

Sara Simonin
Organizational Specialist
Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Tracy Beckham Phipps
Attorney
Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard P.C.

Carrie Keller
Attorney
SmithAmundsen, LLC

​Steve Bushong 
Professor 
Southwestern Illinois College ​

Thomas Young Sr.
Farrier, self-employed

Dennis Dusek 
Retired Orthopedic Surgeon

Jean Weiss
Retired Entrepreneur 
​
Kyle Klues
Structural Design Engineer

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

Summer Camp Registration is Open!

Don’t miss out on the session you want!

Register Here

Getting ready for camp webinar
For new and returning campers

Tuesday, April 12th, 2022
6:30-7:00pm

Register Here

Saturday, April 30th, 2022
​10:00-10:30am

Register Here

Thursday, May 12th, 2022
​6:30-7:00pm

Register Here

Monday, May 23th, 2022
​6:30-7:00pm

Register Here

HEEPWAH to Our Sponsors