Let’s Get On The Bus! It’s Lodge Reunion Time!
By Pati Egan
In the 1960s, Camp Ondessonk offered bus service from Belleville, Ill., and Evansville, Ind., for Lodge Reunions. Only one bus was sent, a school bus, and Lodge Members piled their luggage and themselves in the bus. I can recall kids sitting on top of the luggage in the aisle, with three to four to a seat. For some reason I don’t think this would fly with parents now a days! Lodge Reunion was always held close to the Feast of St. Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs (September 26th). The bus would leave, no staff were assigned to make sure the Lodge Members behaved, nor was any kind of roll call used to make sure everyone was on the bus. The campers were well-behaved and spent most of the ride singing Camp songs.
After arriving at Camp, the Lodge Members would sign in to a designated unit and move in. I don’t recall any staff being assigned to a unit, but they may have been.
I remember Canoeing being open and Horseback rides. Camp was very different in those days – on the last day of Summer Camp, everything was packed up for the Winter. I recall one very cool hike to be the first group to go Reunion Rock and mark a trail back to Camp. I remember we rode in the back of a flatbed truck to, I suppose, Pakentuck Road. Hikes went out all weekend.
The big event was the Lodge Convention on Saturday night. This was held in the Original Dining Hall. Councils were called “Clans” back then. The Lodge used Native American Culture in its ceremonies and activities. Reports were given by each Clan, and new officers were elected. No speeches were given on why a person wanted to be an officer. No paper ballots were used – just a show of hands or a Heepwah.
The highlight of the evening was the big announcement of that year’s Lodge Trip. Lodge members could earn this by selling ads for the Souvenir Book.
Lodge Members would be so excited to earn this trip that a lot of them talked their parents into missing school the next day to go out and get the ads. The trips really were very good. A highlight of the trip to Rome was Christmas Mass with the Pope.
Another perk of the reunion was on special occasions, a patch would be made and only available to those who went to the Lodge Reunion.
The early Lodge Reunions had no work project. Clans usually planned to come to Camp on weekends to complete projects.
The Lodge, like all things, has evolved into a dynamic organization that meets the needs of today’s campers. One thing that was unique about the early reunions is that it was the only time males and females were at Camp together. Coed Camp did not start until 1989.
The Lodge Reunions today are much more structured. There is a Fall and Spring Reunion. The meeting on Saturday night is much more organized than “back in the day.” I am constantly impressed by the current Lodge Officials’ attention to detail and organization.
This year will be the 64th Lodge Reunion. Some things have changed but the important things have not changed. Lodge Members are still exceptional campers who have proven their devotion to Camp Ondessonk and the Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha.
Click here to learn more about The Loyal Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha.