Discover the Future of Teen Adventure: Camp Ondessonk Unveils Exciting New Programs for Summer 2026
Camp Ondessonk, a proud American Camp Association (ACA)-accredited camp, is elevating the teen camping experience with two groundbreaking Adventure Camp programs for the 2026 summer season. Building on decades of purposeful, quality programming in Southern Illinois, these innovative offerings blend service, creativity, and outdoor exploration in ways that will transform how teens connect with nature and themselves.
What Makes Camp Ondessonk’s Teen Adventure Camps Different?
For more than six decades, Camp Ondessonk has maintained an unwavering commitment to quality programming that shapes young people through meaningful outdoor experiences. As an ACA-accredited camp, Ondessonk meets more than 300 industry standards for health, safety, and program quality, giving families confidence that their teens are in expert hands.
The new Teen Adventure Camps represent the next evolution of this legacy, designed specifically for adolescents seeking deeper purpose, creative expression, and leadership development within the 983-acre outdoor classroom that makes Camp Ondessonk extraordinary.
Session 5: Eco Adventure – Where Conservation Meets Adrenaline
Perfect for: Environmentally conscious teens who want to make a tangible difference while challenging themselves outdoors.
Eco Adventure transforms the Traditional Camp experience into a powerful service-learning journey. Participants don’t just visit nature, they become active stewards of it, engaging in hands-on ecological restoration work across Camp Ondessonk’s 983 acres and the adjacent Shawnee National Forest.
What Your Teen Will Experience:
Ecological Restoration & Trail Stewardship: Campers develop real-world conservation skills through guided STEM-based projects that directly improve local ecosystems. From invasive species removal to habitat restoration, teens apply biological and environmental science principles while seeing the immediate impact of their work, building scientific literacy and ecological knowledge that lasts a lifetime.
Leadership Through Service: This isn’t busy work; it’s authentic leadership development through meaningful conservation. Participants gain valuable experience in project planning, data collection, teamwork, and environmental problem-solving. These hands-on STEM applications and leadership skills resonate strongly with colleges and future employers.
Adventure Integration: Hard work deserves epic rewards. Between conservation projects, campers tackle exhilarating challenges like Top-Rope Rock Climbing on natural rock formations and Mountain Biking through forest trails, creating a perfect balance of purpose and adventure.
Ondessonk Spirit Intact: Every Friday afternoon and evening, Eco Adventure participants reunite with the broader Camp community for traditional activities, songs, and campfires, ensuring they stay connected to the timeless Ondessonk traditions that have defined summer memories for generations.
Session 7: Art & Earth Adventure – Where Creativity and Nature Collide
Perfect for: Artistic souls who find inspiration in the natural world and want to explore regional craft traditions.
Art & Earth Adventure is an immersive creative experience that recognizes what indigenous peoples and regional artisans have always known: nature and art are inseparable. This week-long program invites teens to slow down, observe deeply, and express what they discover through multiple artistic mediums.
What Your Teen Will Discover:
Wildcrafting & Natural Materials: Learn to ethically harvest and use natural materials from the forest, creating art from what the land provides while developing respect for sustainable practices.
Regional Artisan Crafts: Southern Illinois has a rich heritage of traditional crafts. Teens will learn techniques passed down through generations, connecting them to the cultural history of the Shawnee region.
Storytelling & Creative Expression: Through guided activities, campers develop their voice as storytellers and artists, learning to interpret and share their connection to nature in ways that resonate with others.
Nature as Muse: Daily immersion in Ondessonk’s forests, creeks, and rock formations provides endless inspiration. Teens learn to see the world through an artist’s eyes, noticing patterns, textures, colors, and moments others might miss.
Traditional Friday Activities: Like Eco Adventure participants, Art & Earth campers join the full Camp community on Friday afternoons and evenings, maintaining their connection to beloved Ondessonk traditions while bringing their unique creative perspective to shared experiences.
Why These Programs Matter Now More Than Ever
Today’s teens face unprecedented screen time, social pressure, and disconnection from the natural world. Camp Ondessonk’s new Adventure Camps offer something increasingly rare: opportunities to unplug, develop real skills, and discover purpose through authentic outdoor experiences.
These programs reflect Camp Ondessonk’s understanding that quality youth development requires more than activities; it requires intentional design that challenges teens appropriately, builds confidence through mastery, and creates communities where young people feel truly seen and valued.
The ACA Difference: Quality You Can Trust
Camp Ondessonk’s American Camp Association accreditation isn’t just a badge; it’s a promise. ACA-accredited camps voluntarily undergo rigorous review of their operations, from staff training and emergency procedures to program quality and environmental stewardship. Families choosing Ondessonk can rest assured that their teens are experiencing programming backed by industry-leading standards and delivered by trained professionals who genuinely care.
Registration Information for Summer 2026
Both Eco Adventure (Session 5) and Art & Earth Adventure (Session 7) are available now for the 2026 summer season. These specialized programs fill quickly as word spreads about Ondessonk’s innovative approach to teen camping.
Whether your teen dreams of becoming an environmental scientist, wants to explore their artistic side, or simply needs a summer experience that offers more depth than typical teen programs, Camp Ondessonk’s new Adventure Camps deliver transformational experiences rooted in decades of expertise.
The forest is waiting. The trails need stewards. The canvas is blank. Which adventure will your teen choose?
Learn more and register at Camp Ondessonk’s website, or contact our team to discuss which program best fits your teen’s interests and goals.
