The Great North American Eclipse!

Camp Ondessonk is in the “Eclipse Crossroads of America!” April 8, 2024, will see the total solar eclipse, which happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

Ondessonk is fortunate to partner with the Twin City Amateur Astronomers organization for this event. The group, based in Bloomington-Normal, provided educational and guided-viewing sessions at Camp during the 2017 eclipse. Throughout the weekend of April 6 through 8, 2024, the organization will provide daily education sessions at Camp and evening talks that will include wide-ranging astronomy topics of interest. Sessions will consist of how to view the eclipse safely along with guided night sky viewing sessions Saturday through the end of totality on Monday. Evan Coulson will also be giving a talk on experiences of awe and the psychology behind the influence of awe and human well-being.

Totality enters Illinois at 13:58:22 CDT just south of East Cape Girardeau, and places like Marion will see totality at 13:59:45 CDT for 4 minutes and 7 seconds (per eclipse2024.org). When a solar eclipse reaches totality, nocturnal wildlife sometimes wakes up, thinking that it’s nighttime, and non-nocturnal wildlife might think it’s time to sleep!

You won’t want to miss this exciting and breathtaking view, and Camp Ondessonk has accommodations for those who would like to spend the weekend or just the 4 minutes and 7 seconds of totality at Camp. There is private lodging, treehouse, and tent camping is available. Camp activities will be offered like archery, hiking, the climbing wall, and more. There are weekend packages and meals from which to choose.

Don’t wait to make your plans for Saturday, April 6, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am through Monday, April 8, 2024, ending at 4:30 pm. Click Here for registration and event details. Deadline to register is March 15, 2024, at 5:00 pm.