Camp Ondessonk Specialty Weekend Information

Thank you for registering for a Specialty Weekend at Camp Ondessonk! Below is some important information about the weekend that will make your stay more enjoyable.

Units

Units are primarily made up of 3-sided open air cabins or screened-in bunk houses. Some are elevated treehouses while others are on the ground. If anyone in your party has mobility issues please contact us to suggest the best living situation for you while you are at camp. All units have a fire pit, benches, picnic tables, a water spigot, outhouse, and are within walking distance to a showerhouse. No candles or open flames are allowed in cabins or outhouses. Campfires are only allowed in designated, pre-established fire pits and must be supervised at all times. Firewood is available for purchase at camp. Please do not bring in outside firewood. Campfires must be completely extinguished before departing. To maintain a peaceful and rustic setting, the use of gasoline powered generators by camping visitors is prohibited. All lodging must be left in the condition found upon arrival (ie. pick up trash, put all benches and beds back in place, etc.) Please avoid unnecessary discharge of fire extinguishers. No visitor pets are allowed at camp.

Quiet Time

Please be considerate of other guests! Loud, disturbing noise is not permitted between the hours of 11:00pm and 7:00am.

Check Out

Please check out of your units by Noon on Sunday. If you are in St. Noel, everyone must check out by 10AM Sunday Morning, no exceptions. You are welcome to remain on Camp for as long as you like Sunday after check-out.

Schedule

A sample schedule is attached. Activities may change at any time due to staffing, weather, or other factors. Be sure to check the schedule when you arrive for the most up-to-date program list. If you have elected to stay for 2 nights, meals will be provided for you through Sunday lunch. Those staying until Monday are provided meals through breakfast on Monday, with an optional sack lunch available Monday afternoon for a small fee.

Activity Options

Program areas listed during open activity time are free and open throughout the duration of the activity block. You may come and go as you please. Open areas typically include handicrafts, boating, archery, pony rides and climbing wall. Hikes are free of charge and require no special registration, but may go off-site and require that participants participate for the duration of the activity. Specialty adventure activities require registration prior to participation. These activities include trail rides and high challenge elements such as zipline and giant swing. These activities have age minimums and require an additional fee paid at sign-up. ALL activity areas, including the barn, pastures, ranges, waterfront areas, climbing wall, and the handicrafts shelter are off-limits to guests without authorized supervision.

Fishing / Boating / Biking:

Anyone 16 years of age or older must have a fishing license in order to fish at Camp Ondessonk. No fishing is allowed in Lake St. Isaac, Camp’s swimming lake. Guests are not allowed to use personal watercrafts on any body of water at Camp. Bicycle useisrestricted to camp roads and the cinder path when not part of a guided ride.Bicycle helmets are required at all times in all areas if riding a bike. Please dismount and walk your bike near horses.

Vehicles

You are welcome to drive to your reserved lodging to drop-off camping and personal gear. Once unloaded, please return your vehicle to the Camp Ondessonk parking lot. Due to the need for traffic control and environmental impact, vehicles are not permitted to stay at the units during the weekend.

Please keep the traffic around the lake flowing in one direction. One-way traffic toward Lalande. Low-clearance vehicles may have difficulty getting around the lake. If you have concern about the clearance of your vehicle, we will be happy to escort you and your gear to your unit.

First Aid

There are no dedicated medical staff on site. All camp staff are certified in CPR and first aid, and some full-time staff have advanced medical certifications, so first responders will be on site. However, the Health Center will not be open. Program staff will carry a first aid kit with commonly needed supplies but there is no medication in these kits. Participants will need to carry and dispense their own medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Weather Emergencies

Staff monitor severe weather alerts 24 hours/day. If severe weather appears imminent, a runner will be sent to your unit to notify you of the incoming threat. If you have time, the safest place to be is in the nearest showerhouse. If it is not safe to travel, shelter under the bottom bunks in your cabin. In case of other emergencies, please report immediately to a Camp Ondessonk staff member. If the emergency occurs during the night, a Camp Ondessonk staff member can be reached by calling 618-759-1780.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Policy

Smoking is not permitted inside any Camp Ondessonk building or in the presence of children that are not your own. Please be considerate of our non-smoking guests when choosing to light up. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in activity areas (swimming lake, barn, ranges, etc.) or in common areas (chapel, dining hall, LeCouer, etc.) Alcohol may only be consumed in your reserved lodging. We advise those responsible for the supervision of children to refrain from the consumption of alcohol while at Camp Ondessonk. Consumption of Alcohol by persons under the age of 21, as well as possession or use of illegal drugs, is strictly prohibited and will result in eviction from Camp and legal action may be taken at the discretion of the Executive Director. Please consider purchasing beverages in aluminum cans over glass. They make sorting our recycling much less messy and dangerous.

General

- An adult must accompany any guests under the age of 16 years old at all times.

-Please refrain from entering the Camp Kitchen, the Central Maintenance Building, private residences, and other reserved lodging sites without invitation.

- Please arrive on time for activities and meals so that we can stay on schedule.

Safety Regulations

1)Firearms and explosives of any kind are strictly prohibited.

2)Swimming, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, or use of any Camp Ondessonk program areas or equipment is permitted only under the supervision of Camp Ondessonk staff. (ACA*PA-14) (ACA*PA-20) (ACA*PA-23)

3)PFD’s (personal flotation devices) must be worn by all guests when boating at Camp Ondessonk.

4)All activity areas, including the barn, pastures, archery range, Riflery range, boating and swimming lake areas, and the handicrafts shelter are off-limits to guests without authorized supervision.

5)No climbing or rappelling is allowed on Camp property unless it is part of a facilitated program activity.

6)Poison Ivy is common at Camp Ondessonk! Please learn to identify it in order to avoid contact. If you believe you have been exposed, wash the area with soap and water immediately.

7)Venomous copperhead snakes are common at Camp Ondessonk. Do not pick up any snakes! The best precaution is to avoid contact with any snake. If a snake is encountered, back off, choose another route, and inform a Camp Ondessonk staff member. Do Not Kill Snakes at Camp Ondessonk. If bitten, seek medical care immediately.

8)Ticks are common at Camp Ondessonk. Of particular importance are deer ticks. Learn to identify these tiny ticks, and always conduct thorough tick-checks after spending time in the out-of-doors. If a tick has attached itself to your skin, remove the tick and keep for future identification in the event a rash or other symptoms should appear.

9)Absolutely no harassment of other groups will be tolerated at Camp Ondessonk. Failure to abide will result in eviction from Camp Ondessonk. Report any harassment to the Camp Ondessonk staff member on duty.

Clothing and Equipment List

Your days at Camp Ondessonk will be active ones; you will be outside most of the day, and getting wet or dirty is a definite possibility. The following is an idea of what to bring or wear while you are here, and what to leave at home. All clothing and other personal items should be labeled with your name.

Clothing and Bedding: Dress in layers! Days are warm; Nights are cool!

Twin fitted sheet

Sleeping bag or Warm Quilt

Pillow

Waterproof rain coat or poncho

2 changes of clothes for each day you are here: socks, underwear, t-shirt, shorts/pants, etc.

Long pants required for horseback riding

2 pair shoes; one to keep clean and dry, the other to get wet/muddy

Close-toed shoes required for most activities

Warm Hat for cool evenings

Other Necessities:

Small backpack to carry items throughout the day

Water Bottles

Toiletries

Extra towels for showers, rain, or other surprises.

Large bag for dirty laundry

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Flashlight or headlamp

Small personal first aid kit

Optional Items:

Camera

Journal

Camping chair

Instruments

Field guides

Binoculars

Fishing pole

Bug netting for bunks

Matches and firestarters

Small battery-powered lantern

Money for Trading Post

Fun, creative or wacky costumes

Please Refrain From Bringing:

Firewood (All firewood must be purchased from Camp to prevent introduction of harmful insects and invasives)

Fireworks

Candles

Valuables

Camp Ondessonk Specialty Weekend SAMPLE Schedule

*Times and activities offered are tentative and may change*

Friday

4:00 - 10:00 p.m. Check-In @ Trading Post

8:30 - 9:30p.m. Welcome Campfire & S’mores!

Saturday

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00-11:30 a.m. Open Activity Areas- May include the following: Canoeing/Kayaking, Archery, Handicrafts, Climbing Wall, Trading Post, Half-day hike.

9:00-10:15 a.m.Adventure Activities Session I- May include the following: High Challenge, Trail Ride

10:30-11:45 a.m.Adventure Activities Session II- May include the following:Zipline, Crate Climbing, Trail Ride

NoonActivity Areas Closed

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:00-4:30 p.m. Open Activity Areas

1:30-2:45 p.m.Adventure Activities Session III

3:00-4:15 p.m.Adventure Activities Session IV

4:30 p.m. Activity Areas Closed

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Mass

8:30 p.m.Campfire

Sunday

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00-11:30 a.m.Open Activity Areas

10:00-11:30 a.m.Pony Rides

11:30 a.m. Activities Close/Move out of units

Thanks for coming; we hope you had a great time!

Please drive safely on the way home.