A Lifetime of Camp: Megan Spruell’s Ondessonk Story
For Megan Spruell, the memories of Camp Ondessonk are as vivid today as ever. What began as a summer adventure as a camper soon grew into something much more: a place that shaped her confidence, inspired her career path, and introduced her to friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Megan attended Camp as a camper from 1999–2004, staying in the units of Goupil, Lalemant, and Garnier. While each of those places holds special memories, Garnier will always have her heart. She still fondly remembers singing her favorite Camp song, “My Rifle, My Pony, and Me,” and cheering loudly for Garnier with the classic unit cheer, “Stop, Look and Listen.”
Some of Megan’s favorite camper memories center around the people who made Camp so special. She remembers looking up to her counselors as role models who were positive, funny, and encouraging. She loved the rhythm and predictability of Camp life, the familiar schedule that returned each year, while still discovering something new and unique every summer.
Camp also sparked Megan’s love for nature. One of her favorite memories is lying in her bunk at night, listening to the sounds of the Shawnee National Forest.
After her camper years came to an end, Megan spent her summers as a staff member, serving in several roles, including dishwasher, Trading Post staff, archery instructor, and eventually Unit Leader. Like many former staff members, she says the experience is difficult to put into words.
“Anyone who has worked at Camp Ondessonk understands how magical and indescribable it is,” Megan says. “We ran on five or six hours of sleep, woke up at the crack of dawn, slept in the heat of summer, walked more than ten miles a day, and had less than 24 hours off on weekends. A friend who had not worked at camp replied, ‘That sounds like it was awful!’ but we said, ‘No! It was the BEST!”
Her time as a Unit Leader was especially meaningful. Megan loved getting to know campers personally and watching them grow in confidence and independence during their time at Camp. The experience helped shape her future career. Today, Megan is a teacher, a path she credits directly to the inspiration she found while working with campers.
Beyond the work itself, Megan cherishes the friendships she built while serving on the staff. She fondly remembers the evenings she spent on the staff lounge porch listening to the guitar and John Prine songs, laughing so hard she could barely breathe, and finding humor even during the most challenging days.
“Even now, my Camp friends and I say there is no other group of people I would rather be miserable with,” she laughs.
Those friendships remain strong to this day. Megan and her fellow staff friends still stay connected through a group message fittingly named “The Best Humans.”
Today, Megan continues to stay involved with Camp as a Summer Camp volunteer, regular Friends Weekend attendee, and has been a Campfire Circle member since 2020. She especially enjoys seeing today’s staff and noticing traditions from her own years still being carried forward.
More than anything, Megan says she continues to give back because of everything Camp has given her. “Camp Ondessonk has given me so, so much,” she says.
From camper to staff member to volunteer, Megan’s journey is a beautiful reminder that the Spirit of Camp Ondessonk doesn’t end when summer does; it stays with you for a lifetime.
