Family Camp’s Evolution to Labor Day Friends Weekend
By Pati Egan
Many credit Gene Canavan as the creator of the Labor Day Celebration that was first held in 1987. In reality, Gene brought back a long-lost tradition of honoring volunteers, former staff, and those who made donations to Camp. This was called “Family Camp.” Steve Rheinecker offers insight into this event as a camper and as a staff member. Steve recalls that Family Camp began when Ralph Rheinecker was hired as Ranger and ended, according to Steve, “I’m thinking the last was in 1970 or 1971, probably 1971. The first was after Ralph lived on site, not sure how long it ran. I helped staff it for three to four years.”
Steve remembers that, “If I remember right, there were usually eight or nine of us (staff), as Ralph was the only full-year staff person, eventually he had an assistant. We planned activities, staffed them, and did clean-up. They pretty well took care of their own meals.” It was a by invitation only event. Some friends of the group did filter in.”
Cheri Mushill offers her insight as a camper. Cheri’s family were long-time volunteers at Camp in the 1960s. She recalls many a Labor Day spent at Camp Ondessonk. She explained, “Labor Day back then spoiled me! Horseback riding was definitely my favorite. No helmets. We could hold the horses back and then gallop to catch up. Of course, being Labor Day, they weren’t exactly frisky after all those campers! After the trail ride or just for fun we would go out in the field and just be able to gallop, cantor, and trot!”
She went on to say, “Horses were definitely my favorite. I don’t know about the beginning years exactly but you had to sign up on a sheet to be able to ride and I would be so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to get a horse. And we always stayed in Chabanel, so of course at that time it was the very farthest away. My favorite horse was Lightning because he looked like Little Joe on Bonanza‘s horse!”
Continuing with favorite memories, Cherie said, “I loved the first campfires down by the lake. Cocky singing and acting out the Gay Old Desperado was my favorite! One of the nights we would make a campfire by the unit and do our own skits and sing. We would also sing all the way down in the car and all the way back home. My parents were the best about putting up with it. However, I think they actually enjoyed it. We would sing walking back to the unit in the pitch-black darkness. One time, us three little girls we’re walking and somebody stepped on a stick that hit the back of somebody else’s leg. We started screaming and running like wild banshees! We still talk about that to this day.”
Cheri explained, “Dinners in the old mess hall were the best. We would have a hopper just like during Camp. Whenever they wanted quiet my dad would get this serious expression on his face and hold up his hand and we would all just laugh and laugh.”
Cheri’s grandpa, John Mushill…
Cheri Mushill and Steve Rheinecker both recall that the original Labor Day weekends weren’t huge gatherings like Friend’s Weekends are is today. Staff volunteered to work these events.
Steve recalls that the partition separating the “Staff Lounge” and the “Campers Lounge” was removed and this became a popular space for everyone to hang out.
Very little is recorded about these events. Steve believes that it was stopped around 1970.
Gene Canavan Revives Family Camp as Labor Day Friends Weekend.
Gene added themes for the weekend. By 1990, Labor Day Friends Weekend took root as an established yearly event.
Great ideas may take a 20-plus-year break, but at Camp Ondessonk they come back bigger and stronger! As Labor Day Weekend approaches, second and third generation of volunteers gather together for an amazingly fun time. New friends are made, old friendships are renewed! Camp Magic continues for a new generation!
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s Mission and History.
Click here to visit the Camp Ondessonk Wikipedia page.