By Camp Ondessonk Communication Team Camp Ondessonk has been a meaningful part of Elizabeth “Petey” (Nimnicht) Abaray’s life for decades, first as a camper, then as a staff member, and…
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By Pati Egan Most Campers and Staff are familiar with the story of Larry Garner (Vietnam 07/30/67). Most are not familiar with Charles Geller. There is a monument dedicated to…
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By Isabelle Linn, Program Coordinator As the earth thaws and the forest comes back to life, Camp Ondessonk staff are busy preparing for the 2026 Spring Education & Recreation Season.…
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By Camp Ondessonk Communication Team There is a particular kind of silence that follows a prescribed burn. The smoke clears. The blackened earth settles. And then, almost imperceptibly, life begins…
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By Camp Ondessonk Communications Team Somewhere between the packing list and the permission slips, a quieter list appears in the parents’ minds. It is unwritten and relentless: What if they…
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By Camp Ondessonk Communications Team How 983 Acres of Southern Illinois Wilderness Turn Curious Teenagers into Confident, Career-Ready Leaders Picture this: your teenager is kneeling at the edge of a…
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