Introducing our new Equestrian Director- Catherine Limkeman!

Ozark, IL:  Catherine Limkeman is our new Equestrian Director.  She joined the Camp Ondessonk community in mid-October and in the last month she has been getting to know the program, the horses and even some of our wonderful stable volunteers!

Catherine grew up in Northern Kentucky, the second oldest of seven kids. The family owned three horses, a dog, and too many hamsters. Catherine went to Wheaton College and Studied Physical Therapy and Studio Art, hoping to help people live active lives and help heal brokenness. After sophomore year, she worked her first summer as a wilderness guide at a camp in Northern Wisconsin and fell in love with camping ministry– where you are constantly active in the outdoors and still helping heal broken people, though the wounds might be a little more subtle. After a few summers working at camp, she decided that the camp lifestyle was the lifestyle for her.

After graduation, she interned at a camp in Washington as the camp’s horse intern. That was when she found her dream job, working with horses and camp to help kids learn more about themselves and encounter Jesus through his creation and his animals.  After the internship ended, Catherine got married to her husband, Andy, and they both went to graduate school at Wheaton College for their Masters in Christian Formation and Ministry with a focus on Outdoor Adventure Leadership. In graduate school, she studied how to use horses as educational aids in leadership development and Christian discipleship. In the last few months, their family has grown.  In July, Catherine and Andy welcomed a daughter, Mary, and are hoping to add a dog and a few horses in the coming months!  Welcome Catherine!