Camp Ondessonk is a rustic, outdoor, Catholic youth camp run by the Belleville Diocese. It is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, near Ozark, Illinois.The camp strives to remain a "last frontier" of sorts, where participants can experience life away from the plugged in world of today's society, and go back to a time of outdoor living while experiencing nature to . Ahatsistari was located on the "girls" side of the lake and when Teondecoren became a cabin unit it was located on the "boys" side of the lake, however neither was an official unit when coed sessions were introduced. Camp was our first experience away from home, for a full week. This is a beginner adventure and is open to campers ages 1215. He went to camp as a kid. You can experience the same camp you went to as a kid with your own kids, or grandkids. Updated June 11, 2015 11:40 AM. Adventure and Trip & Travel experiences for ages 12-16. Ondessonk achieved accreditation from the Certified Horsemanship Association in 2003 as well. Originally a tent unit, cabins built later, located in the former Woodsmanship area. Since 1959. A new registration process was added in 1988, which allowed campers to indicate a unit preference in their applications. By 1976, Ondessonk was in need of updates and renovations. All rights reserved. On a typical day at camp chants ring through the dining hall, cheers sail across the field, and songs embrace the campfire. I havent been to Camp Ondessonk in about a decade, or since I dropped my daughter off there many years ago for her first summer camp experience. I will use positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, or criticism. Amp up the acting to give your audience a good, hearty laugh. It is still used for various reasons including last day breakfast, skit (if it is raining) etc. 1994), the court observed that camp officials attempted to discourage trespassers from entering the premises by posting no-trespassing signs, erecting a fence with barbed wire, stringing cable, and piling brush on trails leading to the property. There was a great big mooseHe liked to drink a lot of juiceThere was a great big mooseAnd he drank a lot of juiceChorus:Singing oh way oh!Way oh, way oh, way oh, way ohWAAYYY oh, way oh!Way oh, way oh, way oh, way ohThe moose's name was FredHe liked to drink his juice in bedThe moose's name was FredAnd he drank his juice in bed ChorusHe liked to drink his juice with careBut he spilled it in his hairHe drank his juice with careBut he spilled it EVERYWHEREChorusNow there's a sticky mooseAll covered in juiceOn the LOOOOOSE. There are also many areas at Camp to pitch a tent, or for those who dont wish to rough it, rent a hostel-style room in our St. Noel Center. The cabin was a complete loss along with almost all of the camper belongings that had been in it. I was better at games that included a ball. The camp also offered a camping honor society similar to the one found at Camp Ondessonk today. There were also nature hikes and wildlife sightings. When not booking school group visits or facilitating a challenge course program, Rebecca can be found enjoying the trails of Camp Ondessonk with her dog, Vena. A new barn was added in the pastures in 1983 and a new modern health center was added in 1986. The largest single, free-flowing waterfall in Illinois, and it is conveniently in camp property. Finally, after multiple legal proceedings, the injured camper's family dropped the lawsuit thus saving Tommy's life. The program was open to all high school students and brought in an additional 2000 campers per summer to Ondessonk. STEM - General. The Covered Bridge was also constructed in 1968 by volunteers from Saint Mary's Parish. Other awards were given over the next few years including Tongas and Kachinas. Camp Ondessonks Executive Director, Camping Services Director and Programming Director have all been Wilderness First Responder certified. They are intentionally designed and located to maximize visitors experience of tranquility and inspiration of nature. As Frontier units were later introduced the Pioneer sessions were discontinued. Camp Ondessonk is committed to providing a Catholic, faith based, fun, safe, educational, and inclusive experience for all campers, CITs, staff, parents, and volunteers. See if I can hit a target with an arrow. Due to the nature of this weekend, participation is by invitation only. These little beauts cook in a kiln twice, for a total of about 24 hours #worthit And it. And that's why we love it. In Blakely v. Camp Ondessonk, 38 F.3d 325 (7th Cir. We sang songs and gave cheers in the dining hall every dinner. Omar Monds agreed to donate the bear if Ondessonk was willing to take it and camp was willing to take the bear if Monds could deliver the bear and get it into the cage that camp had set up. Specialty Camps were introduced in the summer of 1992 and would later evolve into the Adventure Camp Programs. Play Camp Ondessonk and discover followers on SoundCloud | Stream tracks, albums, playlists on desktop and mobile. Our Summer Camp Programs allow youths ages 8 to 17 to experience firsthand: Tree-House Camping, Horseback Riding, Archery, Swimming, Canoeing, Rock-Climbing, and Nature Exploration under the supervision of carefully selected staff. Hut! All cabin units have fire pits, benches, picnic tables, a potable water spigot, an outhouse, and are within a short walk to a shower house. The John de LaLande Award is presented to a non-Lodge Member who is part of the Camp Ondessonk staff and feels that they do not meet the proper requirements for membership into the organization but have rendered meritorious service to Camp Ondessonk and the community. Back to nature, for an East St. Louis kid who spent most of his time on a bike, or on a playground or sandlot. Camp Ondessonk welcomed possibly the most iconic member of its family in July 1966 when it acquired Tommy the Bear. 2006 saw the return of Camp Time during which time was set back an hour at Sunday evening dinner and 2008 saw the removal of brother/sister units during coed season. These saints and their American Indian companions are honored and remembered at Camp Ondessonk with the camp units, lakes, and major land forms named after them. But there were all the cool things we could never do at home, such as swimming in a lake, canoeing, archery, riflery, horseback riding and hiking. However, everyone is certain to learn a lot at the clinic through all the knowledge shared by both participants and clinic staff. She developed this confidence and independence that was so wonderful to see. This required some reorganization as a boys and girls side of the lake was designated, separate bathhouses were issued, and brother/sister units were developed. Because the trips left from Camp, dorms were built on the north end of the parking lot to house participants the night before leaving on their trips. Listen to Unit Cheers, a playlist curated by Camp Ondessonk on desktop and mobile. The camper staff raitio is approximately 1:6. By 1965, the summer enrollment reached 4,380 campers with 120 staff members. Fax: (618) 695-3593. Joe Werner, of Fairview Heights, also serves on the camps board. Camp Ondessonk states their mission to be "to provide an environment that inspires physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth for individuals and groups through the appreciation and stewardship of nature. Tip Belz, of Belleville, is a member of the Camp Ondessonk Board of Directors. Or maybe not. All rights reserved. It was later moved to a location near the main area of camp and even to a position along Camp Road for a time. Beginning in the mid-1960s, Camp Ondessonk began organizing trips to destinations around the world as a reward for members of the Lodge of Ondessonk and Tekakwitha who sold specific quotas of advertisement space for the annual yearbook. 3rd-8th grade. During an intermediate adventure, campers spend more time away from the main area of camp in the natural areas surrounding Ondessonk. One of the highlights of an Ondessonk visit, our 3-sided treehouse cabin units take full advantage of their natural surroundings. I liked the hikes to natural lakes and rock dwellings like Fat Mans Misery. My heart always went out to the chubby kids because they were teased about not being able to fit through the tight squeeze between rocks. Phone: 618.695.2489 x104. An old wooden cafeteria that is no longer used for eating because of its size. CIT program recruitment, selection, and training is made on the basis of qualifications that meet the needs of Camp Ondessonk, and not to discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, or any other categories protected by Federal, State, or local law. conduct myself in a manner that is consistent with the discipline and teaching of the Catholic Church. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Look out below! They were usually 10 to 14 days long. Turn off my cell phone. Dan King I have learned so much from Camp O, but the most important thing I learned is to respect nature. Staffed by medical professionals and on call pediatric physicians every day of the summer, there is never a moment without someone who is able to provide help. Environmental Medicineincluding altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury; lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins. To help with the expanding number of campers, Ahatsistari and Lalemant which had been tent units were rebuilt in order to accommodate more campers. Next stop, second and final kiln firing. The programs take a limited number of campers and provide them with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills of a particular area. We're guessing it'll do the same for you and your family too, if you let it! return /* @__PURE__ */ react.createElement("svg", dhtupload_svg_extends({ He later became a friend and aide of the Jesuit missionaries. That same year also saw the addition of four new shower houses and a roadway around almost all of Lake Echon, which replaced the dirt roads and trails. There are also two other honors awarded by the Lodge of Ondessonk and Tekakwitha. 2023 Camp Ondessonk. The summer of 1962 also saw the addition of activity arrowheads and the Golden Arrowhead. The trips were eventually discontinued. Members of the primitive units came back into camp to participate in activities such as horsemanship and riflery, as well as the Tuesday and Thursday evening activities. Until you and camp meet again, keep singing, moving, and grooving your way through life. Hurst says people should pay before coming, to cut down on person to person contact., and the bathrooms and shower houses are cleaned twice a day. By my parents car, it was about a two-hour ride from my home in East St. Louis. Camp Ondessonk: Celebrating 50 Years of Camp Spirit! in Cleveland, OH. Participants of both traditional camp and adventure programs are eligible. }))); Camp Ondessonk is located in Johnson County, north of Vienna. But most of the campers were from the Catholic grade schools in the metro-east. take care of myself and recognize my personal needs so I can be the best counselor I can be. They set up patrols at night to ensure that authorities could not enter into camp during the night and take him away. height: 47, No one was in the cabin at the time and the other two cabins of the unit were saved. No exceptions. It is looking like it will turn out to be a great summer, we have already received over 1100 camper registration forms! [17] Campers spend their days in the stables learning such things as how to care for and groom their horses, as well as receiving more in-depth instruction in riding skills and general horsemanship. Both are more simply referred to as Lodge members. In doing so, I will: exhibit the highest ethical standards and personal integrity. There is now a bigger dining hall that is used but it is farther from the main area. We had a great time and the weather was perfect. has made his way into thousands of campers' hearts. It will be a lot of hard work, BUT you can expect to end the summer with a better sense of community, self-value, faith, work ethic, and commitment to others. As an adult, he has been impressed with the spirit of volunteerism at Camp Ondessonk, past and present. Consider asking a family friend, neighbor, mentor, coach, priest/minister, teacher or professor. [citation needed]. [15] Because of the extended nature of their stay, campers are able to participate in all the activities of traditional camp in a modified form for their age and abilities. [2] The camper was treated by health services at camp, but the wound later became infected. With blessings from . The ghost stories told around the campfire at night spooked me. It is located in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, near Ozark, Illinois. Campers stay in a unit as in traditional camp. They are co-ed camp, girls camp, and boys camp. Since 1959, Camp Ondessonk's summer camp programs have provided an experience that encourages campers to have fun, nurture spiritually, make friends, grow in self-confidence and promote . respect the possessions and belongings of staff, CITs, and campers, as well as the facilities and equipment of Camp Ondessonk. It makes the perfect pre-meal, pre-activity, or post-nap energizer. This makes Tekakwitha the perfect unit for younger campers or those nervous about their first stay away from home. There are challenge and high rope courses, and a variety of special interest weekends and open houses. in Leisure Science with an emphasis in therapeutic and outdoor recreation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The cabins in this unit consist of platforms on the ground with bunks and a tin roof. over the globe! The 1970 trip scheduled to tour the Middle East was canceled due to conflict in the region. On July 7, 1981, a camper received a minor wound on his hand when he reached into the cage during feeding time and grabbed at Tommy's ears. There will be a performance on the last day of camp. It offers programs and facilities year round. I heard Mr. X. in the woods late at night. In 1964 the trip left from Miami, Fl., on a yacht and sailed to the Bahama Islands where participants were able to enjoy a Christmas vacation of swimming, beach combing, shopping, and relaxation. I feel . I very much look forward to watching her continue to grow at Camp Ondessonk. The original camp program of Ondessonk, traditional camp allows participants to experience all the long-standing activities camp is valued for. Thats unique and special. I learned that Camp isnt all about winning and that I should focus on having fun. The new dining hall was opened for the summer of 2004 and a Coed CIT program was added the same summer. There was a swinging bridge across the main lake. Parishes from various parts of Southern Illinois provided funds and volunteer builders. Good and bad. But the rest of the week passed quickly. adhere to the zero-tolerance policy for the use, possession, distribution or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs at camp. Phone: 618.695.2489 x104 He returned to Ondessonk in 2006 and became Executive Director in 2008. Call (618) 695-2489 or email [email protected]. Caught a few toads in the bushes. Wednesday was hump day. While the first summer of Camp Ondessonk was only four weeks long, increased demand forced the adding of additional weeks. Having no facilities of their own, the parish rented out Camp Piasa in Grafton Illinois in 1957 and Camp Vandeventer in Waterloo Illinois in 1958. The name "Ondessonk" is the Huron word for "Bird of Prey." Next is the Brebeuf cabins which resemble the tree houses but sit on the ground. This Health Center is known as one of the top medical facilities in an ACA accredited summer camp. They spent days building cabins with handsaws and evenings in a farmhouse near the camp location. Bad aim. For the first few years of camp, riflery was not offered during girls season. Hi-ho!ScientistAcid! Campers spend their nights in either Chiwatenwha or Aonnetta with staff trained to take on the challenges of younger campers experiencing their first week-long sleepaway camp stay. The Lodge of Ondessonk and Tekakwitha embrace the honor camping society first established during Camp St. Philip in 1957. Lent is in full swing, so theres no shortage of available fish fries in the area. Some weekends are open for lodging only. Camp Ondessonk is the Premier Adventure Destination of the Midwest. Phone: (618) 695-3593. First aid and CPR training is provided. I hope to return someday soon. days left until the first day of summer camp, the Ondessonk staff are hard at work preparing for the summer. I understand that acceptance of an offer of a counselor in training does not create a contractual obligation uponCamp Ondessonkto employ me in the future. The symbol of Camp Ondessonk is a circle with a cross coming out of the top and seven stars surrounding it representing the eight North American Martyrs. This is an intermediate adventure open to campers ages 1316. be innovative, try new activities, participate with enthusiasm, and sing as loud as I can. The program is open to campers meeting this requirement ages 1116. The first Silver Frontier trip went to Florida and visited sites like Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Cape Kennedy, and Disney World. Growth of the camp facilities continued over the next few years including more units (making a total of seven in 1964: Brebeuf, Chabanel, Daniel, Garnier, Goupil, LaLande, and Lalemant), the B.O.Q., and a new infirmary. Many of the units adopted their three-sided look in the late 1970s through the mid-1980s based on the inspiration of a Polynesian design discovered on a trip to Walt Disney World. I promise to be a positive role model for youth at camp and acknowledge I am a representative of camp and the Diocese of Belleville to camper families during my off time both outside of camp and online. He went to camp as a kid. [14] In the evenings campers are part all-camp activities including campfires, a variation of flashlight tag, an overnight campout, and a Native American ceremony. This led to the camper's parents to worry that their son may have contracted rabies from the bear. As children and parents arrived on opening day, volunteers scrambled to finish building the last of the bunks in the cabins. TollFree: (877) 659-2267. Director of Marketing TRADITIONAL CAMP (3rd-8th gr): $120 - REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Gala Care Package Sneak Peak #2: Handmade "Heepwah" clay charms! Camp ONDESSONK has provided children and children AT heart the opportunity to experience first hand the beauty of God's creation. Although the Primitive Units were eventually disbanded, Couture made a return in the mid-1980s due to overbooking. Most meals are served family style. The all-day exploration was added in 1972 giving campers the chance to explore the land around them. Each unit also has its own water spigot, outhouse, and campfire ring. After the death of Tommy the Bear in 1994, Yonah the Bear came to camp in December 1995. Adventure and Trip & Travel experiences for ages 12-16. 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