Our Mission The Mission of Camp Ondessonk is to provide an environment that inspires physical, mental, emo�onal, and spiritual growth for individuals and groups through the apprecia�on and stewardship of nature. Catholic Youth Camp Camp Ondessonk Fall Newsletter Volume 49, Issue 2 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Ozark, IL 62972 Permit No. 1 Camp Ondessonk as a Vehicle for Past, Present, and Future Growth through Learning By the �me Camp Ondessonk was established in 1959, tradi�onal youth summer camps established roots throughout the Northeastern United States, and were becoming more prevalent in other areas of the country. From the beginning, the broad goal of the youth camping movement was to educate. In 1922, Charles W. Eliot, former president of Harvard University, boldly stated, “the organized summer camp is the most important step in educa�on that America has given the world” (Camp- ing Magazine, Sep/Oct 2010). Those of us fortunate enough to experience a well-run summer camp as kids would certainly agree. Learning is much more than the wallpaper por�on of the experience. It is the floor, furniture and fixtures as well. Though many things in our world have changed since 1881 when Camp Chocorua (widely accepted as the first summer camp) was established “to meet special educa�onal needs” (CM, Sep/Oct 2010); or since 1959, the year Camp Ondessonk was established to “give boys and girls a chance to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s crea�on,” many of the greatest things about tradi�onal summer camping have remained the same. There is a lot to be learned from living in an open air tree house cabin, exploring creeks and canyons, riding horses, and mee�ng kids and counselors from places afar. When delibera�ng Camp Ondessonk’s place in educa�ng campers, I feel we must con�nue to aggressively address our three greatest challenges. Interes�ngly enough, none of the three requires us to “improve” or “change” the core Ondessonk experience dras�cally. In other words, we are already very good at summer camp. First, we must con�nue to increase our summer enrollment. Last summer we served 258 more campers than in 2009; an 11% increase. Secondly, we must con�nue to make sacrifices while we pay down the debt incurred when the new Dining Hall was built in 2002-03. We have about five years le�, and the monthly payments are some�mes very difficult to make. One thing is certain: Camp Ondessonk will not take on a capital project in the future without first securing the support and funding necessary to avoid a large loan. Our third challenge is the most daun�ng and somewhat difficult to talk about. Even so, the subject must be addressed in order to for�fy the organiza�on, so here goes… We need to improve our success when it comes to annual fundraising. Though many of Ondessonk’s past campers, staff, parents and other stakeholders make an annual tax-deduc�ble gi�, far more do not. Whether it is a $10, $50, $500, or $5,000 gi�, more people who love Camp Ondessonk must become annual donors. As a self-sufficient, non-profit ministry, we cover the majority of our opera�ng expenses with camper and other program par�cipant fees. The remainder of our opera�ng expenses is covered with generous gi�s from donors. Thank you to those who consistently make an annual gi�. The organiza�on is stronger because of you. To those ready to deepen your rela�onship with the organiza�on, there is no be�er �me. Please come home to Ondessonk and show your support with an annual gi�. The campers of the past, present and future deserve your support. With your help, there is s�ll a lot of learning that can be done. Sincerely, Dan King, Execu�ve Director
Transcript
Our Mission
The Mission of Camp Ondessonk is to provide an environment that inspires physical, mental, emo�onal, and spiritual growth for individuals and groups through the apprecia�on and stewardship of nature.
Catholic Youth Camp
Camp OndessonkFall Newsletter
Volume 49, Issue 2
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDOzark, IL
62972Permit No. 1
Camp Ondessonk as a Vehicle for Past, Present, and Future Growth through Learning By the �me Camp Ondessonk was established in 1959, tradi�onal youth summer camps established roots throughout the Northeastern United States, and were becoming more prevalent in other areas of the country. From the beginning, the broad goal of the youth camping movement was to educate. In 1922, Charles W. Eliot, former president of Harvard University, boldly stated, “the organized summer camp is the most important step in educa�on that America has given the world” (Camp-ing Magazine, Sep/Oct 2010). Those of us fortunate enough to experience a well-run summer camp as kids would certainly agree. Learning is much more than the wallpaper por�on of the experience. It is the floor, furniture and fixtures as well. Though many things in our world have changed since 1881 when Camp Chocorua (widely accepted as the first summer camp) was established “to meet special educa�onal needs” (CM, Sep/Oct 2010); or since 1959, the year Camp Ondessonk was established to “give boys and girls a chance to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s crea�on,” many of the greatest things about tradi�onal summer camping have remained the same. There is a lot to be learned from living in an open air tree house cabin, exploring creeks and canyons, riding horses, and mee�ng kids and counselors from places afar. When delibera�ng Camp Ondessonk’s place in educa�ng campers, I feel we must con�nue to aggressively address our three greatest challenges. Interes�ngly enough, none of the three requires us to “improve” or “change” the core Ondessonk experience dras�cally. In other words, we are already very good at summer camp. First, we must con�nue to increase our summer enrollment. Last summer we served 258 more campers than in 2009; an 11% increase. Secondly, we must con�nue to make sacrifices while we pay down the debt incurred when the new Dining Hall was built in 2002-03. We have about five years le�, and the monthly payments are some�mes very difficult to make. One thing is certain: Camp Ondessonk will not take on a capital project in the future without first securing the support and funding necessary to avoid a large loan. Our third challenge is the most daun�ng and somewhat difficult to talk about. Even so, the subject must be addressed in order to for�fy the organiza�on, so here goes… We need to improve our success when it comes to annual fundraising. Though many of Ondessonk’s past campers, staff, parents and other stakeholders make an annual tax-deduc�ble gi�, far more do not. Whether it is a $10, $50, $500, or $5,000 gi�, more people who love Camp Ondessonk must become annual donors. As a self-sufficient, non-profit ministry, we cover the majority of our opera�ng expenses with camper and other program par�cipant fees. The remainder of our opera�ng expenses is covered with generous gi�s from donors. Thank you to those who consistently make an annual gi�. The organiza�on is stronger because of you. To those ready to deepen your rela�onship with the organiza�on, there is no be�er �me. Please come home to Ondessonk and show your support with an annual gi�. The campers of the past, present and future deserve your support. With your help, there is s�ll a lot of learning that can be done. Sincerely,
Dan King, Execu�ve Director
Our Vision
The Vision of Camp Ondessonk, a camp founded on the Catholic Faith, is to be the world’s best youth camp. Inspired by posi�ve role models, campers will experience the wonders of God’s crea�on through adventurous, challenging ac�vi�es in a unique, rus�c environment.
Jeanne Newton, Vice ChairDirector of Human Resources
Belleville News Democrat
Claire Hatch, SecretaryPrincipal
Blessed Sacrament School
Robert AndersonProject Scien�st
Na�onal Geospa�al-Intelligence Agency
Fr. Brian BarkerPastor
St. Bruno Parish, Pinckneyville
Marge DowneyEducator / Principal, Re�red
Lynn FuhlerFormer Banking Execu�ve
Educator AvistonElementary School
Fr. John IffertPastor
St. Mary Parish, Mt. Vernon
Elizabeth Darr KeserauskisDirector of Marke�ng
and Communica�ons SIUE
Cindy KnebelAssistant Vice President /
BankingCenter Mgr. Premier Bank
Gerald MontroyA�orney at Law, Re�red
David ReadChief FInancial
Officer Eldercare, Inc.
Erin RindererPrepress Paginator / Designer
Belleville News Democrat
Eric SchausterGrant Writer
City of Belleville
Susie Rheinecker SchneiderBuisness Consultant
Rheinecker & Associates
Ex Officio Trustees:Bishop Edward K. BraxtonBishop Diocese of Belleville
Very Rev. John W. McEvilly, V.G.
Vicar General / Moderator of Curia
Diocese of Belleville
James V. MroczkowskiCPA, CMA
Finance Officer
Board of Directors
Meet the New Equestrian Director- Sara OviattBy Emma O’Brien
Q: Where are you from originally? A: I grew up in Spencer, Iowa. Since college, I’ve spent �me
in Colorado and New Jersey. I like to move around and meet new people and explore new places. I can’t wait to explore Southern Illinois.
Q: What was your favorite job before now? A: I’ve done almost every job possible at camp in my 12 summers at various camps and my
favorite was Arts and Cra�s. I don’t consider myself very crea�ve or artsy, but I loved that job a lot. My favorite cra� projects were pretzel art, �e dye, and paper making.
Q: How long did it take you to be able to spell Ondessonk without thinking about it? A: I could spell Ondessonk right away. I s�ll can’t spell Illinois right on the first try though!
Q: What’s your favorite horse so far? A: My favorite horse so far is probably Fitzgerald. He always wants to s�ck his head in the door
and say hello.
Q: If you were a superhero, what would your �tle be? A: Not sure what my superhero name would be. Like I said-I’m not very crea�ve. I usually
need friends to help me pick out my Halloween costume.
Q: What’s the best season? A: The best season is fall. The weather is great, there’s a lot to do, and there is �me to relax
and unwind a�er summer camp. My favorite day of the year is probably the very first day it snows! I love it!
www.ondessonk.com/signupSign up online to make sure your next newsle�er gets to your Inbox instead or your Mailbox. Go Green and help the camp community minimize its carbon foot print.
Newman Center
715 S Washington StCarbondale, IL 62901
(618) 529-3311
Summer Wrap UpBy Evan Coulson As Camp Ondessonk gears up for fall programming we look back upon Summer, 2010 with warm memories and a smile. In the great tradi�on of Camp Ondessonk, old friendships were reaffirmed and new friendships were forged. This summer was marked by several highlights as we served a total of 2,597 campers during our 51st consecu�ve summer of camping in Ozark, IL. We are proud to report that summer camp enrollment was up again this year as we added a total of 258 campers over the 2009 summer season. Thanks to the many staff and friends of Ondessonk whose support played a vital role in spreading the word about our many summer opportuni�es. Our campers enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of over 100 summer staff, including Ondessonk’s first interna�onal staff member in almost a decade. Alex Strzeszewski, a Camp America hire, joined the Summer 2010 Staff from Leeds, England and was an immediate fit within the Ondessonk community. Camp-ers and staff alike enjoyed the opportunity to experience a dif-ferent cultural perspec�ve as they got to know him, and Alex enjoyed the warm Camp O welcome. Furthering the sharing of cultures, Camp Ondessonk campers welcomed a group of stu-dents from Notre Dame Catholic School of Kyoto, Japan. For over half of a week Notre Dame Kyoto students enjoyed par-�cipa�ng in many of Ondessonk’s tradi�onal camp ac�vi�es alongside campers, where they gained a true American summer camp experience. Over 100 volunteers also enjoyed the summer, carrying on the tradi�on of service that Ondessonk was built upon. Volun-teers were crucial in many maintenance and construc�on proj-ects, as well as assis�ng in service and program areas around Camp. We are proud of, and grateful for, the strong tradi�on of volunteers serving Camp Ondessonk. As campers enjoyed their uniquely “Ondessonk” experience, one new addi�on to Camp stood out above the others. The newest addi�on to Summer 2010 could be found at Lake St. Isaac: a fantas�c 100’ long water slide affec�onately known as the “Shawnee Screamer”. The new water slide was an instant hit with campers and staff alike, and was the perfect capstone to one of the best summers at Camp Ondessonk yet. While the echos of 2010 campers can s�ll be faintly heard in the distance we are already se�ng our sights on Summer 2011. We are expec�ng to serve even more campers, host more Camp America staff, and facilitate even more friendships. Make sure you are a part of it, either as a summer camper, staff, or volunteer!
3www.ondessonk.com
School Promotions & School Year Programming SeasonBy Rebecca Cler Hey Campers! All of us here at Camp Ondessonk sure hope you’re having fun and enjoying the start of a great school year! At the same �me though, we miss you! Sure, we have a few specialty weekends like Fall Family Camp, Mother/Daughter Weekend, and our FREE Fall Fest on October 23rd, 2010 along with several school groups, but camp just isn’t the same without all of you here. S�ll, this winter throughout the months of January and February all of our seasonal program staff will pack up the Ondessonk vans, and load them with copies of the summer camp brochures, yearbooks, and whatever other fun Ondessonk stuff we can gather. We’re visi�ng schools all across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri. We will be mee�ng with stu-dents in search for familiar camper faces like yours! How cool, right? If you’ve experienced this before, you can plan on seeing one of your favorite visi�ng Ondessonk staff. For those of you who haven’t experienced this, how great does it sound? In the middle of the quiet and wicked cold winter, an Ondessonk face greets you in your school’s gym or cafeteria just to talk to you about this place you love so much? And the classmates you’ve been trying to convince to go to camp might finally start to understand how awesome Ondessonk is through a visi�ng staff member! Please keep in mind, if you go to a Catholic School and Camp Ondessonk has not presented at your school, then with the help of your parents, give us a call at Camp Ondessonk, (618) 695-2489 and let us know! We need your help spreading the word about the value of camp. We’ll be seeing you soon!
Alex Strzeszewski, 2010 Unit Leader
4 www.ondessonk.com
“Come Home to Camp!” Annual Fund Drive Camp Ondessonk invites you to “Come Home to Camp” as we begin our 2010 Annual Fund Drive. Our theme was inspired by a former staff and camper who had recently “come home” to Camp a�er 35 years. He said that he counted Camp Ondessonk as one of the most influen�al ex-periences in his very successful adult life (even if he didn’t know it at the �me), and he was excited to see that campers today have the same wonderful opportuni�es that he had as a young man. The Annual Fund Drive raises unrestricted funds that allow Camp to offer great programming, maintain our beau�ful site, and offer Campership assistance to families in need. We have an ag-gressive goal this year – to raise $50,000 between September 1 and December 31, 2010, and we are well under way. Our Camp friends have been very generous in the past, and we hope you will help us as we improve our Camp for future genera-�ons of campers. If you believe in Camp Ondessonk and would like to contribute to this year’s drive, you can send your dona�on in the pre-printed enclosed envelope to Camp Ondessonk. Or, you can go to our website www.ondessonk.com and click on “Donate Now” via Pay Pal. Thank you for your generosity!
Gateway Grizzlies SuccessBy Emma O’Brien
Have you ever been somewhere and seen someone in Ondessonk a�re, but been too afraid to say “heepwah” out loud? This magical August evening was a dream come true. I think I saw more camp shirts than hot dogs! Never before have I been so surrounded by camp spirit within a 30-minute drive of my house. Camp O’s “Night At The Ballpark” was a smashing success, with almost 300 camp supporters in a�endance. Ondessonkers sang a rousing rendi�on of “Take Me out to the Ballgame”, paraded around the field in their technicolor array of various camp shirts, and Dan King threw the wild and wacky first pitch. The Grizzlies won to boot! Between �cket sales and raffles, camp raised over $1000.00 to support their programs; major thanks to all who came out to support Ondessonk. The weather was perfect, the heepwahs were a-plenty, and everyone got to reunite and reminisce about camp.
Connecting Online with OndessonkBy Tony Vrooman
Camp O has set up a couple new ways to can stay in touch while you’re surfing the web. Twi�er is a social net-working and micro-blogging site that currently has over 100 million users worldwide. Need a quick fix of 140 char-acters or less? Join us on Twi�er to get the latest updates and fun facts going on at Camp. So you say you’re all business, LinkedIn is a business oriented social networking site mainly used for profes-sional networking with over 75 Million users worldwide. Camp Ondessonk’s profile provides a professional online presence and distributes event informa�on and important Camp updates.
15th Annual Golf BenefitBy Connie Lanaghan Fi�een years of good weather luck con�nued as 132 golfers and more than 85 sponsors helped make the 15th Annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Benefit on September 18, 2010 a tremendous success. Hosted by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. and spearheaded by former Camp Ondessonk board mem-ber Pete Korte, the benefit raises money to help offset costs and keep camper fees as low as possible for families. While it is operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Camp Ondessonk does not receive funding from the diocese. The benefit, held at Locust Hills Golf Course in Lebanon, has grown tremendously over the past fi�een years due to the generous support of businesses and individuals in St. Clair and Madison Coun�es, and the surrounding areas. “It was a great day,” smiled Pete Korte during the awards ceremony. “We’d like to thank all the sponsors and the teams who help raise money so kids can go to Camp Ondessonk.” Pete also recognized his “right hand woman,” Cheetah Horst-mann, for all the hours she volunteered to organize the event. In addi�on to money raised for the camp’s opera�ng budget, more than $1600 was generated for Ondessonk’s Campership Fund through dona�ons from the flight winners, contest fees and raffles. As in years past, every contest winner donated their winnings back to the Campership fund, which is used to help campers experience Ondessonk who otherwise might not be able to afford it. With unmatched skill and accuracy, Joe Cassidy and Elizabeth Keserauskis won the “Closest to the Pin” contest, and muscling out the compe��on for the “Longest Drive” were Connor Keeley and Arlene Cassidy. Skins contest winners Don Brinker from St. Jacobs Winwater Works, Gary Edwards from Ed-wards Equipment, and the Opera�ng Engineers Local 520 donated their winnings as well. We gratefully acknowledge all of our benefit sponsors, including pla�num tournament sponsors Kehrer Brothers Roofing and Construc�on of Albers, IL and Prindable Insurance of Belleville, IL. We also thank our Gold Sponsors ADS, Casper Stolle Quarry and Contrac�ng Co., Cedar Creek Dental Associates, Concrete Supply of Illinois, Egyp�an Building and Construc�ons Trades Council, HD Supply Waterworks, Illinois Laborers Employers Coopera�on and Educa�on Trust, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, N & W Horizontal Boring Co., Oberbeck Grain Co., Opera�ng Engineers Local 520, Quad County Ready Mix, Red-E-Mix, Rehkemper & Son, St. Jacob Winwater Works, and The Kilian Corpora�on.
Our tournament host Pete Korte enjoys the day with
volunteers Donna Richter from the Southern Illinois Builder’s
Associa�on and Camp Ondessonk Board member Erin Rinderer.
St. Rene Goupil Award To honor her 15 years of service to Camp Ondessonk, the St. Rene Goupil Award was presented to Cheetah Horstmann of Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc. in Highland, Ill. As the invaluable “right hand woman” behind Pete Korte, host of the annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Benefit, Cheetah has volunteered hundreds of hours coordina�ng the golf teams and sponsors, and ensuring that tournament day details are perfect. This year, the golf benefit raised over $29,000, which will be put towards the Camp Ondessonk Campership Fund and towards camp opera�ng expenses. “Cheetah exemplifies the spirit of Camp Ondessonk in all that she has done with the golf benefit over the last 15 years,” said Judy Blase Woodruff, Camp Ondessonk Board President as she presented Cheetah with her sash. “I couldn’t do it without her,” said Pete Korte to the crowd. The St. Rene Goupil Award is given to an
outstanding non-Lodge volunteer who has rendererd meritorious service to Camp Ondessonk, the Lodge Society and the com-munity. Only 17 honorees have received the award in Camp Ondessonk’s 51 year history. Thank you, Cheetah, and congratula�ons!
Dan King, le� and Judy Blase Woodruff, right, present Cheetah Horstmann of Korte and Luitjohan
Contractors Inc. with the St. Rene Goupil Award for15 years of volunteer efforts coordina�ng
115 N 14th St. • Mt. Vernon, IL 62864(618) 244-1559
631 S Mill StNashville, IL 62263
(618) 327-3232
7www.ondessonk.com
Ondessonk Greeting Cards For Sale Place your order today for Ondessonk greeting cards, with pen and ink artwork by Camping Services Director Evan Coulson! All cards are blank inside and come with blank envelopes, packs of 8 cards/envelopes include 2 of each of the 4 designs of Brebeuf, Lalande, the Covered Bridge, and the Zipline & Ropes Course. Call Camp at 618-695-2489 today to order yours to send out or give as a gift! Check back soon for our winter photo cards, perfect for a holiday card or present.
The Ambassador Pizza Party!www.ondessonk.com/pizza By filling out your informa�on below we’ll send you everything you need to know about hos�ng an Ambassador Pizza Party for Camp Ondessonk. Your kit will include:
• Ambassador Program Guide • $20 Dominos Gi� Card • We Send Out Your invita�ons • 2010 Camp Brochures • Camp DVD • Camp O giveaways • Camp O Trivia Game
For every new camper your Ambassador Pizza Party signs up-- You will re-ceive $25 off your child’s enrollment fee. If your Ambassador Pizza Party signs up the most new campers you will receive ½ off your child’s enrollment fee. If you s�ll have ques�ons please contact Tony Vrooman: [email protected] or 618-580-0441.Thank you for sharing Camp Ondessonk’s mission and vision.
Fill it out online at www.ondessonk.com/pizza or Mail it to:
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