Celebrating Camp’s History and Strengthening Its Future on Camp O Day

By Whitney Strang

On Tuesday, June 28, the Camp community came together to commemorate the 63rd summer at Camp Ondessonk. 

First celebrated in 2021, Camp O Day was created to remember and observe the founding of Camp Ondessonk, and it is held annually on June 28, the date that the first campers came through the Camp Gate in 1959.  This one-day effort encourages gifts of time, talent, and treasure to honor the tradition of giving that originally established and continues to sustain Camp Ondessonk. 

At the conclusion of the 2nd annual Camp O Day, more than 150 gifts were made totaling $21,435, more than 100 in-kind items were donated for activity areas, and 1,498 volunteer hours were pledged by 14 people. 

Contributing to the day’s success were three challenge gifts, totaling $2,500, from generous Camp Friends as well as a friendly competition encouraging everyone to show their Ondessonk pride by supporting the decade in which they were a camper or staff member.

Campers also took part in the Camp O Day celebration.  The day began with singing Happy Birthday to Camp at breakfast, wearing party hats, seeing decorations at all the activity areas, and enjoying a cupcake for dessert at dinner!  They also decorated their units and created special Camp O Day cheers. The Spirit of Ondessonk is alive and well in today’s campers!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Camp O Day 2022, whether on social media or by making a gift, purchasing an item from our wish list, or pledging volunteer hours.  Your support keeps the mission of Camp Ondessonk strong and preserves the history and traditions of this special place for years to come.