From The Director’s Desk- Burn Ban, Raindrops, and Rag Rats
Dear Camp Friend,
On Friday, September 5, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department issued notice of the first burn ban we’ve had in many years. Later that day, 251 Fall Family Camp participants passed through the Camp Ondessonk Gate. Our staff gently broke the news as they arrived. We are in a part of the world where burn bans are very rare, so most guests were surprised to learn that the campfire part of Camp Ondessonk wouldn’t be allowed. Though disappointed, everyone kindly adjusted.
Rainclouds skillfully dodged the Ozark Creek Valley until it finally began to drizzle on Monday, September 22. The last measurable rainfall was some six weeks before. Gentle showers transitioned into heavy, deafening rain. Seemingly overnight, the grass changed from brown to green. Meanwhile, Lake Echon brimmed, a steady stream cascaded down the Lake Echon spillway, and the drought abruptly ended.
Work is underway to replace the four original cabins in the unit of Raganeau. Five new cabins of similar design will be built in their place. The original cabins were erected in the late 1960s, when Camp was still rapidly expanding to handle the demands of being new and wildly popular. Each cabin was divided in two by a central wall, with two triple bunks on each side. Twelve campers squeezed into each building. Years ago, the middle bunks were removed, leaving an awkwardly tall gap between the lower and upper bunks. The fresh configuration, with just four campers per side, allowed a bit more space for everyone’s gear.
The opening line of Raganeau’s longtime unit cheer starts aggressively. “Wayyyyyyy back in the woods where nobody goes, is a little ole unit called Raganeau.” The words have changed slightly since it was created by a great group of counselors during a girl’s season in about 1988, but the cheer reinforced what was long thought of Raganeau campers. We perceived the unit to be for the tougher, older kids who didn’t mind the long walk. I stayed in the original treehouse cabins of Amantacha my first year. In successive summers I chose the units with newer tree houses like Garnier, Goupil, Daniel, or Lalemant. I never chose Raganeau.
I was assigned to stay there my second year on staff. Jimbo Dennis was the Unit Leader. Kind and hilarious, the campers loved him. William Cook and Ed Beazley rounded out the staff. That’s the first time I experienced the aura of sleeping at Raganeau. It’s location at the mouth of Phantom Canyon gives it a feel I hadn’t experienced elsewhere around the lake. The constant daytime shade and eerie nighttime darkness taught me why so many Camp people love it, proudly calling themselves Rag Rats.
The demolition of the old cabins will be sad for many of us, but the original buildings exceeded their serviceable life some time ago, with deteriorating cabin piers, soggy roof decking, and other issues that make it difficult to make a good first impression with new campers and their parents. The Camp Community’s attachment to Raganeau has likely resulted in a collective, unspoken denial of the inevitable, but the twelve-inch elevation change between the front and rear of duplex 3 and 4 is difficult to overlook. Its time. It’s sad. We will adjust.
Best wishes to you and your family. Thank you for caring and adjusting. Please keep Camp Ondessonk in your life for the rest of your life. Your loving presence is admired and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Daniel W. King
Executive Director
