Camp Ondessonk Specialty Weekend Information
Thank you for registering for Father Son 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.
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 use is restricted to camp roads and the cinder path.
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.
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.
Emergency Procedures
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.
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. 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
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 Father Son SAMPLE Schedule
April 24-26, 2015
*Times and activities offered are tentative and may change*
Friday, April 24
4:00 - 10:00 p.m. Check-In @ Trading Post
8:30 - 9:30p.m. Welcome Campfire & S’mores!
Saturday, April 25
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: Giant Swing, Zipline, Trail Ride
10:30-11:45 a.m. Adventure Activities Session II- May include the following: Giant Swing, Zipline, Trail Ride
Noon Activity 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. Areas Closed-Special All-Camp Activity
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Mass
8:30 p.m. Campfire
Sunday, April 26
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
11:00 a.m.-Noon Bag Lunch Available For Pick Up at Trading Post
Thanks for coming; we hope you had a great time!
Please drive safely on the way home.