Three Generations of Camp Ondessonk Spirit: An Interview with the Courtney-Harrington Family
In this special edition of the Camp Ondessonk newsletter, we have the privilege of interviewing three generations from the Courtney-Harrington family. Their journey with Camp Ondessonk spans decades, embodying our beloved Camp’s true spirit and tradition. Join us as we delve into their memories, experiences, and hopes for the future of Camp Ondessonk.
Jan (Schlattweiler) Courtney: A Lifetime of Love for Camp
Q: What initially drew you to Camp Ondessonk?
Jan: My family camped in Southern Illinois at Karbers Ridge and Lake Glendale before any of us attended Camp. My older brother was the first one in our family to attend Camp. I wanted to go after we took him to Camp.
Q: How has Camp Ondessonk evolved over the years since you first attended?
Jan: Camp has added new and improved units, bridges, and so many structures since my first year at Camp in 1963.
Q: What inspired you to continue your involvement with the Camp as a volunteer?
Jan: Camp is a place of comfort for me. I feel like the best version of myself and cleared of daily distractions. I hope the campers feel my love for Camp and realize Camp will always be there for them. I volunteer to help sustain Camp for our future generations.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or story from your time at Camp Ondessonk?
Jan: My fondest memory at Camp is hearing my name announced at the Lodge Ceremony. The Lodge Ceremony seemed magical when I was a young camper. It was so special to be a volunteer at Camp and hear my daughters’ and granddaughter’s names called to join the Lodge.
Q: How does it feel to see both your daughter and granddaughter involved in Camp now?
Jan: It’s been extraordinary to observe my children and now my granddaughter develop and mature as counselors, and witness the joy they bring to the campers. It’s a dream come true to see them love Camp as much as I do. I have been a volunteer nurse many times through the decades, but it is even more fun and meaningful for my daughter and me to be volunteer nurses together for the week.
Q: What values and lessons do you believe Camp Ondessonk instills in its campers that have remained constant over the years?
Jan: Camp provides kids the opportunity to develop independence by living away from home, making lifelong friendships, and participating in new and challenging activities. They develop creativity in finding solutions and resourcefulness in problem-solving.
Q: What advice do you have for current and future campers and volunteers at Camp Ondessonk?
Jan: Immerse yourself into the beauty and magic of Camp. Try all the activities and you will succeed in ways you didn’t think possible. Make new friends but cherish and foster the lifelong friendships developed at Camp. If you haven’t volunteered at Camp, volunteer now! Each and every time at Camp is a new experience and new friendships are made.
Colleen Courtney Harrington: Carrying the Torch
Q: What are your earliest memories of Camp Ondessonk, and how did your mother’s experiences influence your decision to get involved?
Colleen: My earliest memory is driving down to Camp with my parents. We waited in line and chose a unit for the week. The first unit I ever stayed in was Teondechoren. The unit was on stilts in the woods between Tekakwitha and Rag. The entire unit leaned sideways! I was not surprised when they took it down by the following summer. It was one of the last years of all-girls and all-boys camps. I loved making new friends from all over the Midwest. I still do!
Q: How has your perspective on the Camp changed from being a camper to now serving as a volunteer?
Colleen: It’s been such an all-encompassing journey of growth from youth to adult. I’ve learned about strength of self and trusting in yourself. I’ve also learned a lot about how to trust in your friends too. There are people in this world that stick with you through the week, a Summer on staff, and through life. My closest friends now, I met when I was a teenager working Summers at Camp. Heepwah to that!
Q: What are some of the traditions or activities at Camp Ondessonk that you particularly cherish?
Colleen: I love the opening and closing campfires. So much happens for the campers between that time. I see kids stand taller and prouder by the end of the week. I remember how I changed and did difficult things that I never thought I could do. Friendships were built in a week, trails explored, wildlife encountered, fears conquered.
Q: Can you describe a moment that stands out to you during your time as a camper, volunteer, or staff member?
Colleen: The first year my mom and I volunteered together as nurses was a wonderful experience. She volunteered as a nurse when I was a camper and when I was a staff member before I went to nursing school. So, when my kids were campers, then she and I together as nurses; made me so happy and proud!
Q: How do you balance your role as a volunteer with other commitments, and what keeps you coming back to Camp Ondessonk?
Colleen: The joy I feel from spending a week at Camp is unmatched. Camp is my touchstone. It reminds me of what my values are as a Christian and an environmentalist. I also love feeling all the energy and spirit from the campers.
Q: What do you hope your daughter, Summer, gains from her experiences at Camp?
Colleen: I’ve been reflecting on this…if she learns one thing from her time as a camper and now on staff, I would like her to know that she is good and enough just as she is. She doesn’t have to be anyone but who she is.
Q: In what ways do you see Camp Ondessonk impacting your family across generations?
Colleen: My mom worked on the beachfront as a counselor, I worked on the beachfront, and now so does my daughter. It’s a wonderful feeling to be connected to each other in this way. It’s really surreal watching Summer sit in the same guard chair I used to sit. It makes time feel like it’s moved quickly, yet Camp is still the same. It also feels to me as if it wasn’t that long ago, I was her. Camp has a way of making you feel youthful again. My mom and I are carrying the torch and spreading the light from person to person. To give is to receive. So, I love to give to them, what was given to me. Camp Spirit!
Summer Harrington: Continuing the Legacy
Q: What inspired you to work as a lifeguard at Camp Ondessonk this summer?
Summer: I’ve grown up coming to Camp both as a camper and with my family and family friends. I knew that working at Camp was something fitting for me, and it was never a decision, rather how things were (in a good way of course). Working as a lifeguard particularly came from both my mom and my grandma because I know how much they loved being beach and boating staff, and being a lifeguard in general has always been a plan of mine as I got older. Becoming a lifeguard at Camp was just the perfect job for me in the perfect place!
Q: How do you feel being part of a legacy of three generations at Camp Ondessonk?
Summer: Being a legacy makes Camp feel extra special to me since I know that my mom and grandma have been exactly where I am, doing the same things. For so many first-generation staff members, Camp is a second home, so you can only imagine how important it is to be a third-generation staff member. By having these kinds of roots at Camp, I’m able to share these experiences with my mom, grandma, and like-minded people who work with me.
Q: What are some of the key skills or lessons you have learned through your role as a lifeguard?
Summer: My role as a lifeguard is just beginning, but I am already learning responsibility and accountability for myself and my job as a lifeguard.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience from this Summer at Camp?
Summer: This Summer is just starting, and I’m ready for all of the fun times to happen when I start working as a second-half lifeguard!
Q: How do you think your experiences at Camp Ondessonk compare to those of your mother and grandmother?
Summer: In comparison to my grandma and my mom, I know there are many differences in our experiences. At the end of the day, it’s the parts that are the same that are what make Camp, Camp. When it comes to old Lodge Ceremonies or protocols or locations of activity areas, all I can do is listen to the stories that my mom and grandma have, but the message that Camp sends and the way counselors connect with each other and campers still remain.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Camp Ondessonk, and what are your favorite activities or traditions?
Summer: In general, my favorite part of Camp is connecting with the kids and staff. With new kids every week, time can go by too fast, but I remember most all of the times where my campers cheered my name, gave me a nickname, wanted to take pictures together, and exchanged friendship bracelets. Similarly, I like to get to know the staff in my unit and activity area. Some of them are in their 20s and way ahead of me in life, but by getting to know them, they become a peer and a friend at Camp. All the staff has the same goal and same motivations, which makes the fun times and new friends so special.
Q: Do you see yourself continuing to be involved with Camp Ondessonk in the future, and if so, in what capacity?
Summer: In the future, I want to continue to work on staff for as long as I am able to, and volunteer once I’m old enough. I already spend a lot of time at Camp, and I will continue to as long as I can…or as long as admin responds to my emails each summer asking to come back for more weeks in the summer!
A Family’s Unified Voice: The Spirit of Camp Ondessonk
Q: What does Camp Ondessonk mean to you personally and to your family as a whole?
Jan, Colleen, and Summer: Camp Ondessonk represents a shared love for the outdoors and a connection that binds our family across generations. It’s a place where we’ve built lifelong memories and relationships, reinforcing our family values.
Q: How do you think Camp Ondessonk has shaped your family values and relationships?
Jan: We share an affinity for the outdoors and specifically Camp. My daughter and three grandchildren were present this past week at Camp with me, which bonds us together. My grandsons will be in the OWL program and a camper in a couple of weeks. We value our time together in the outdoors/nature.
Q: Can you share a family tradition or ritual related to your time at Camp Ondessonk?
Colleen: Camp O is the family tradition. We don’t have a specific ritual or tradition. I have taken my kids to the Fall Festival and the Friends and Family weekends. It is a great way to experience Camp outside of the traditional Summer Camp atmosphere. It’s a wonderful way for my friends and our kids to meet and share experiences at Camp. Once again, Camp in general is the tradition: whenever there’s a specialty weekend or a holiday, going to Camp is always a possibility because that’s how things have always been!
Q: What are the biggest changes you have seen at Camp Ondessonk over the years, and what aspects have remained the same?
Jan: The biggest change is probably the physical structures have improved and increased in number. Overall, the campers are the same but many are not as resilient to the heat, outdoors, and physicality of Camp. I’m amazed that the core weekly schedule stays constant with opening and closing campfires, Tuesday night game, Wednesday overnight, Thursday Lodge Ceremony, and Friday Marathon/Tug of War and nightly inspections.
Q: How do you envision the future of Camp Ondessonk and your family’s continued involvement with it?
Colleen: I think the future of Camp shines bright. Camp attendance has increased and is strong. We plan to continue to volunteer each year and to contribute to Camp through the Campfire Circle so that Camp will be here for all future generations. I am so impressed by how the program leaders and administrators are continually striving to improve each Program Area and Specialty Camp. The excellence of leadership and commitment is inspiring. We will be back every year to be a part of this great community!
Closing Thoughts
The Courtney-Harrington family’s story is a testament to the enduring magic and impact of Camp Ondessonk. Their experiences and dedication across three generations highlight the Camp’s role in shaping lives and fostering a sense of community that transcends time. We are grateful for their contributions and look forward to seeing their legacy continue to inspire future campers and volunteers.
Heepwah!
Click here to learn more about Volunteering at Camp Ondessonk.