From the Director’s Desk – #74
On April 23, 2020, we published our first monthly operations update. The COVID-19 pandemic was still new to everyone. I shared my hope that Summer Camp would begin as scheduled on May 31 of that year. The notion now seems absurd. Or does it? I asserted then, as I do now, that “outlandish optimism” is a common quality of Camp people. We believe homesick campers will feel better tomorrow. We believe Camp’s horses, goats, and cats can teach us a thing or two about ourselves. We believe God made the dirt ringing our neck at the end of a good hike. We also believe God helped make the soap we use at shower time. We believe in forgiveness, second chances, and happy endings. I admit I was wrong about 2020 Summer Camp. I was not wrong about the value of outlandish optimism.
This is our 74th operations update. Simple math should make it number 73. But, early on, we doubled up for several months. Then, despite my best efforts, I missed a few months along the way. Six years in, the concluding message of number 1 remains as relevant as ever:
“We find comfort in knowing that people like you are there to lift Camp in both prayer and support. When this is all over, we know you’ll continue to be there for the Campers of Ondessonk. Until then, we are sincerely grateful for your past, present, and future dedication and support.
May you find ways to keep Camp in your life for the rest of your life. God loves you, and so do we.”
Happy Easter to you and yours. May the joy and hope of the risen Lord be with you.
Sincerely,
Daniel W. King
Executive Director
PS. Summer Camp enrollment remains strong, though we have lost a little ground in the last month. As of Friday, our 2026 camper total is 2,674, an increase of 28 in comparison to last year’s total of 2,646 on the same date.
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s Summer Camp Programs.
