Archery – The Evolution of An Activity
By Pati Egan
Archery was located near the Amantacha Bridge. The first instructor was Robert Siekmann. There was no Lake Echon yet. The original Stables were located at Brebeuf Flats. Perhaps it was in the area close to Brebeuf.
My earliest memory of an Archery Range is that it was by where the Dorms are now. I don’t remember benches to sit on; we sat on the ground.
The Range location during most of the 1960s to the late 1990s was located very close to the BOQ. There is a bridge blocking the path to the old range location. There would not be moss on the rocks since five full units a day would scamper up the path. Looking at this area now, you can’t really tell that there ever was an Archery Range up that path.
The Range had the woods as its backstop. It was bare uneven rock. There was no shade at all. I recall it being the “sweat bee” Capitol of Camp. I was an Archery Instructor, and I could never understand why I wouldn’t get a good tan. I was in the blazing sun five hours a day.
There was always just a single instructor for the entire unit. The campers were shown once how to shoot and then they were on their own.
Indian Archery was very generous. We would get seconds and arrows that didn’t sell. They were always donated. The compound bows were an excellent donation. Sometimes we would get a gross of new target arrows that were green – I’m sure if you look back behind where the range was – you could find some.
A huge improvement was moving the entire range to its current location. There was one glitch – the Campers are shooting in the direction of a road put in for the new Dining Hall.
There are now plenty of staff to help the campers. The equipment is top-notch. The campers really enjoy the thrill of hitting the targets.
The Archery Instructor was responsible for shooting the arrows for the Lodge Ceremony. The arrows are now shot from the rock on the right. Originally, the arrows were shot where Campers are now seated.
I’ve taught myself how to fix the arrows – learning something new every year that I volunteer. If you’re on the fence about volunteering in an activity you loved as a kid – do it! The staff are so appreciative – you’ll have a blast!
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s history.
