A Lifetime Devotion to Camp Ondessonk
Mary (Tuscher) Zofkie’s first experience at Camp Ondessonk was in the summer of 1976 as a young camper in Raganeau. From that very first week, she was hooked. What started as two weeks each summer quickly blossomed into something much bigger. By 1980, Mary was a Counselor in Training, and soon after, she was spending her entire summers at Camp during both boys’ and girls’ seasons from 1981 through 1984.
Even after her time on staff, Mary stayed connected, visiting in the off-season before returning as a volunteer in 2004. Camp Ondessonk remains near and dear to her heart, and she proudly calls herself a lifetime supporter.
Singing in the dining hall and during the opening and closing campfires are treasured memories for Mary. “Those times just made me feel at home with my family,” she shares. Music continues to be a special part of Camp for her as she can be found singing around the campfire with her friends during their week volunteering together.
Mary’s passion for Camp is deeply rooted in gratitude. “I stay involved to pay that opportunity forward for other kids,” she says. “I also met some people who have been by my side through life and mean so much to me.”
These friendships she formed at Camp continue to inspire her continued engagement. Her husband, though never a camper himself, has witnessed firsthand how much Camp means to her and now joins her in volunteering.
Mary is a proud member of the Campfire Circle monthly giving, driven by the desire to give back to a place that has shaped her life in such meaningful ways. “My donation goes to helping kids and young adults,” she says. “It helps provide the opportunity of the Camp experience I had.”
To Mary, the most important work Camp does is giving kids and young adults the chance to discover who they are without the interference of the world. It’s a place that builds confidence, fosters belonging, and empowers young people to make a difference beyond Camp’s borders.
Her hope for Camp’s future is simple but powerful, “That it will continue to provide a place where kids can go to discover themselves and build their confidence to make a difference.” She continued, “I wish everyone would know the beauty of Camp, the spiritual opportunity of Camp, and the security of belonging to a family.”
Mary Zofkie’s unwavering dedication to Camp Ondessonk is a testament to the lasting impact one summer can have on a person’s life. Through her years as a camper, staff member, volunteer, and generous donor, she has helped shape the experiences of countless others, just as Camp once shaped her own. Her story is a reminder of the lifelong connection so many feel to this special place and the power each of us has to ensure its magic continues for generations to come.