Mother Daughter Weekend – October 3-5, 2025

By Judy Blase Woodruff

It was a very warm and sunny October weekend when 225 moms and daughters (and some grandmas and aunts) drove down the Camp Road to enjoy Mother Daughter Weekend at Camp Ondessonk. Staff members welcomed those who have been attending the weekend for generations, along with those who were discovering Camp for the first time.

Everyone gathered Friday evening in Le Coeur for a welcome event that included s’mores, games, and songs accompanied by Lizzy Schauster on guitar, while folks mingled and got to know each other.

Breakfast Saturday morning was held in the Dining Hall, but lunch was picnic style that the guests packed after breakfast and enjoyed on their own time. There were pre-registered trail rides and high challenge blocks that were held in the morning and afternoon on Saturday, while Camp activities of Archery, Boating, and Woodscraft were enjoyed in the morning, and Handicrafts tested the creative side of guests in the afternoon.

Mass was held in the Chapel Saturday evening, followed by a Mother Daughter Campfire where guests were the exclusive entertainment! The Grotto rang with songs, skits, talent, and plenty of laughs. At the end of the well-attended campfire, summer staff closed the evening with “Home” by Phillip Phillips.

After a continental breakfast Sunday morning, Pony Rides, Handicrafts, and the Climbing Wall were open for a short time before everyone sadly said their good-byes until they could meet again another day. It was a full weekend with new skills learned, new friends made, and a closer relationship made with our Creator that can only be experienced in this special place.

We hope you will make a point of attending Mother Daughter Weekend in 2026 when moms can experience Summer Camp with their child, making wonderful memories that will never be forgotten.

Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s upcoming events.