Lifetime Lodge Member, Jane (Gass) Boron
The Gass family has a long history with Camp Ondessonk and it became a family affair to both work and volunteer early on. Even before Jane (Gass) Boron was old enough to be a camper, she tagged along with her mom, Dolores Gass (known as Lori around Camp), who volunteered as a cook during Summer Camp. Jane would stay in the Cook’s Cottage with her mom, but during the day, she slipped away to join friends in the various activities. Most of her five siblings were campers as well, but Jane’s love for Camp Ondessonk has spanned the decades and that’s one reason she decided to become a Lifetime Lodge Member.
Jane reflects, “My family owned a cabin in what was then known as Shetlerville, Ill., a little west of Rosiclare, and not too far from St. Joseph’s Parish. I loved being out in nature, so it was natural that I was very drawn to Camp.” Jane became a camper in 1969 until 1972, and during that time, her passion for Ondessonk grew. In 1970, when she was in sixth grade, she was a camper in Goupil. This was the year that solidified Jane’s love for Camp as she was excited and honored to be inducted into the Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha.
n 1973, Jane was a Counselor in Training (C.I.T.) majoring in Horsemanship. She passed her C.I.T. Program after the second week at Camp and was asked to stay the remainder of the summer. During Boys’ Season every year, Jane could be found in the kitchen as a cook, and at times filling in at Nature.
Jane’s mom also volunteered as a cook when Jane was on staff. Her dad came from of family of 11 siblings, of which most of the boys were in the construction field. Jane remembers that her dad was instrumental in building the original Unit of Tekakwitha among other carpentry projects. Her uncle, Marcel Gass, was a bricklayer, and he worked on the Chapel of the North American Martyrs as well as laying the blocks under the cabins in the units.
Over the years, Jane has supported Camp through her time, talent, and treasure. When asked why she supports Camp, she states, “Camp is such a wonderful place, and a big part of my life. I can’t remember a time I was not involved with it. I wish I could do more, but I know that my gifts will be used to give the same meaningful, life-changing experiences I had to campers today.”
When asked why she became a Lifetime Lodge Member, she replied, “I was paying dues each year. I wanted to be sure my membership didn’t ever lapse, so instead of remembering to pay each year, it was easier to make a one-time payment and be a member for life. I have a lot of respect for the Lodge and its members. They are doing so much good for Camp and their communities.”
Jane and her husband, Mike Boron, have two adult children; Casie Dugan and Timothy Heisler, and four grandchildren. They live in Waterloo, Ill.
Jane sums up her devotion to Camp, “After all these years, I still have such great memories of Camp Ondessonk. I made friends for life – they are my Camp Family. I’m home when I drive through the Camp Gate.”
Click here to learn more about becoming a Lifetime Lodge Member.