Kathleen M. Arnold
5th Supreme Princess of the Lodge of Tekakwitha: 1967 – 1968
When asked what her fondest memory of Camp Ondessonk is, Kathy Arnold (Arney) said, “Getting elected to the Lodge in 1961, when I was just 12 years-old! I was there during the later weeks when older campers were there. I was maybe the youngest person in my unit of Goupil. I really felt honored, and even a little overwhelmed, but so many people were so supportive and proud of me. It was awesome!”
Arney’s mother was one of the first nurses at Camp, so she actually went to Camp with her mom until she became a camper in 1960. She attended until her mother, in the summer of 1969, insisted she get a “real job.” Arney was a camper every year until she became a Counselor-in-Training in 1965. She served on staff from 1966 through 1968, becoming the 5th Supreme Princess of the Lodge of Tekakwitha during the 1967-1968 season.
She went on to earn a degree in nursing, and in 1990 earned a Master of Business Administration. Kathy was RN Director of Emergency Nursing Services at Saint Louis University Hospital, then she held various positions until she owned her own business. After her initial position at SLU, she became President at Heartland Emergency Services, then Co-Owner and General Manager at Care2Day Express Care Clinic, and finally the President/CEO at KMA Certified Testing, Inc. She is now retired.
Kathy says, “The summers I spent at Camp are among the very best times of my life. Each summer was a little different, and each summer I became more and more the person I am today. I made life-long friends there. I honed my independence and sense of personal responsibility there. I can’t imagine growing up any other way!”
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