Building Bunks as the Campers Arrive 

In 2008, we decided to publish an account of Camp Ondessonk’s history.  Aptly titled, Celebrating Fifty Years of Camp Spirit, the publication’s contents were largely compiled and written by Carrie Birge, a former camper and counselor who had just earned her English degree from DePauw University. Carrie interviewed numerous people who had first-hand knowledge of Camp Ondessonk’s earliest history.  I was lucky enough to sit in on her conversation with Father Leo Hayes, a now-retired Diocese of Belleville priest who, in 1959, was Camp’s first Program Director.  Around this time every year, I think about one of the stories Father Leo spun during that interview. He told us, “When we got there that first week in June, none of the units were complete.  Ondessonk wasn’t built yet.”  He then went on to proudly share his recollection that bunk beds were still being built by volunteers and staff as campers arrived.  

On Saturday, May 23, volunteers and staff members finished building and installing bunks in five freshly built cabins in the unit of Raganeau.  As I’ve shared here once or twice in recent months, the original Raganeau cabins were built in 1972. Decades of camper and staff use created an undeniably strong emotional attachment to the original buildings, with little serious attention given to their deteriorating condition.  That attachment delayed our impending decision to rebuild.  Last summer was the last season we could squeeze out of them. 

Thirty-two boys moved into the unit of Raganeau’s brand-new cabins on Sunday, May 31.  This achievement is the direct result of the combined contributions of generous donors, skilled volunteers, and dedicated staff – all working to benefit the Campers of Ondessonk.  Siding installation isn’t complete, but the bunks are finished, and the buildings will be safe for our campers to make them home, one week at a time, for the next fifty years or more.   

Summer Camp is here.  We were ready when the campers arrived.  They will live, learn, and grow as Ondessonk campers do. 

Please keep Camp Ondessonk in your life for the rest of your life.  God loves you, and so do we.   

Sincerely,