The Lodge of Ondessonk and Tekakwitha

By Joshua Mussell

The Lodge of Ondessonk and Tekakwitha is a service society made up of extraordinary campers, staff, and volunteers that have proven their love and dedication for Camp. There are many ways for Lodge members to remain active throughout the entire year. During the off-season, Lodge members hold fundraisers and come to Camp to complete service projects that help Camp prepare for the summer. During the summer, Lodge members are able to participate in the weekly Lodge ceremony helping new members feel welcome and included in the organization.

One exciting thing that happens every year during Session 9 of summer camp, is Lodge Camp.

“Lodge Camp is an opportunity for campers that are in Lodge to come back and be in a unit full of Lodge members. They go around to all of the activity areas and do special programming. They get to not only participate in, but also run the Lodge ceremony that week. It is really an amazing opportunity for these kids who are passionate about Lodge and about Camp to come and give back during the last session of the summer.”

– Cooper Barnhill, Senior Official of Lodge

Lodge campers still get the traditional Camp Ondessonk experience with Marathon, Tug of War, and the overnight, but when they go to activity areas they receive different programming. For example, they get to shoot flaming arrows at Archery, repel off of Pakentuk during their overnight, and go down the dual zip-line into Lake St. Isaac on Friday.

While the summer may be ending, Lodge is just getting started preparing for the coming off-season and next summer. The Camp Ondessonk staff have elected Senior Officials Isabelle Linn and Connor David and Officials Sarah Petrowich and John McKown to help lead Lodge in this coming year. These officials will work closely with the Lodge councils and Camp Ondessonk admin to help shape Lodge to be the best it can be.