Catholic youth summer camp, located about 2.5 hours drive from St. Louis, in Southern Illinois. Kids sleep in rustic "cabins" (not fully enclosed, so bring mosquito netting!) in the woods, segregated into multiple named camps (groups of cabins), with the boys all on one side of the lake, girls on the other. Lots of fun activities, including swimming, hiking, horseback riding, archery, target shooting, climbing wall, ropes course, crafts, outdoor skills, nature exploration, and more. It's not convenient for us to get to, but everyone we've known who's gone has loved it and wants to do it again the next year. Be careful about using Google for directions. If you punch in the address, it correctly finds it, but if you just search for Camp Ondessonk it puts a pin in the map in the wrong location, looks like a few miles away from the actual camp, at somebody's house. Hopefully they'll get this fixed soon. read more

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My grandson received an injury while attending a week long stay at Ondessonk in June 2026. The skin was scrapped off his knee completely. His mother received a voicemail saying that he had been injured but that it was not bad. He spent the night in the clinic and the next day his father picked him up as it was the last day of camp. The knee was wrapped and no one came out to explain what had happened. After the 2 hour trip home the leg was unwrapped exposing the injury. They rushed him to a nearby clinic to have it properly diagnosed and evaluated. The Camp and the Belleville Diocese although being informed has not made any efforts to apologize or check on his well being. I will not be sending my grandchildren there in the future due to their inept handling of this situation. read more

Went to this camp as a kid, beyond awesome. Planning to send my own kids here!! Great memories of outdoors and fun, new skills and new friends, core memories for kids - highly recommend!!! read more

most horrible place child threw up and had to go to acctivities one counseler told my daughter if you break your arm you dont get to go home

It would be impossible to put this place into words. All I can do is try to tell you about my experiences there. 20 years ago, I was a camper there. It was truly amazing. I went every year I was allowed to. It was always the highlight of my summer. After my camper life was over, I lost touch with Ondessonk. Earlier this year, I found out that my daughter was old enough to go for her first time. We went down for an open house weekend and I was immediately sucked right back in. My daughter loved the idea of spending a week there also. I registered her and signed myself up to volunteer for two weeks during summer camp. In 20 years, nothing's changed. A few short hours into my two week stay, it was like I found a time machine. I was blasted back to those times in my childhood. It was one of the best times I've ever had. The week after I came home, my daughter went. We decided that she should go when I wasn't there. Being away from, "home," is a big part of Ondessonk. She didn't want the security net of knowing I was just down the gravel road. She wanted to have the experience on her own, just as I did. Did she love it? That would be an understatement. I'm sure Camp-O will be a life changing experience for her. Last summer we spent 10 days in Orlando. Disney, Universal Studios, Wet n Wild, the works. She said she had way more fun at Ondessonk. Hearing her say that was absolutely amazing. read more

I remember going to Camp Ondessonk as a kid for 7 years until I was too old to be a camper anymore - and even then I wanted to be a CIT (Counselor In Training)! It's an expereince I have never received anywhere else and I still have amazingly fond memories of this place out of all my summers as a kid. Sleeping under a giant sky of stars, learning how to work in nature by making fires and building lean-tos, being to away from home, hiking under ancient trees, swimming under waterfalls, kayaking with a prestine view, learning to shoot a bow and rifle, and making great camp friends...its all at Camp O. It is a Catholic camp, but even if you do not practice, you and/or your child will still enjoy camping here (even if you practice a different religion or, like me, none at all!) It's the power that the whole place has to offer that will lift your spirits and place you into a tranquil state within your own spirituality. That's why I kept coming back so many years. I even got inducted into their leadership program, Lodge of Tekawitha. There were times where things didn't go so well, like getting bit up by mosquitoes, brushing up against some poison ivy, and, on some camping trips, being super dirty with no shower in site. But all those things are minuscule compared to all the amazing adventures and memories I have of this place. It's been years since I have attended a camp session, but if they offered me a chance to return as a camper I would gladly take it! I'm encouraging my mother to sign up my little brother for a summer so he can also experience how wonderful it all is. HEEPWAH!! read more

Camp Ondessonk is a fun place for kids to go to it has been fun every year I have been it is a great chance to get outdoors and to learn a lot about nature and other things it will always be home to so many people and me read more

Worst experience ever. My niece just left there hungry and covered with bites. They don't feed the kids very much. For example, her breakfast this morning consisted of one donut and a piece of fruit. How is that a good nourishing breakfast? She even asked for more food and was refused food. She was covered in hundreds of bites and was offered no aid other than to say "your mom will put anti itch cream on it when you get home". What happened to the medical professional that is supposed to be on site? Had I known that this was going on, I would have gotten her out of there ASAP. But you can only send emails, not receive them. Oh yeah, at a dollar a piece. Yes, that's right, you can email your camper but at a price. They can't send any to you. read more

I have to start by saying how beautiful this area is! I sent my 13 year old to camp last summer (all girls week) She had the time of her life! It was really good for her to get away from teenage stresses and technology! The staff and counselors are so caring I felt very comfortable leaving! I have to say not only was this a great rewarding and learning experience for my daughter but It taught me a few life lessons as well! In the words of my daughter "HEEPWAH" read more

camp ondessonk is amazing my father went their my brother and sister have also gone as well I went as a camper for 7 years and now work on staff glad to say it has changed my whole family for the better heepwah read more

Camp O is nore than just a gorgeous place of natural beauty and wonder. It is a singularly unique experience for all those lucky enough to spend time there. read more

Best camp ever!!!!! My mom and her sister went, my sister and I attended and now all three of my children are attending!!! They apply their own bugs spray & sunscreen, fill their own water bottles, sleep out in the open (under a mosquito net), swim in the lake, and have seconds and thirds of anything they desire to eat! No electronics... Just good outdoor fun, with bonfires, s'mores, sailing, archery... And lots of great hiking in a beautiful setting with amazing knowledgeable counselors!!! Can't give it enough stars !! A rare opportunity for kids today! read more

Camp Ondessonk is a great place to send your kids for a wonderful and safe camp experience. Activities include, hikes, horseback riding, swimming, handicrafts, archery, and outdoor overnights. Campers stay in units which are three wall rustic cabins. Kids are under the supervision of trained and background checked camp counselors. The camp director Dan King is professional and kind and was happy to answer all my questions and concerns. King, was a camper when he was a kid and now runs the place! My child had a great time and wants to go back next year. He made made many friends. If you want to know more check out the website. read more

Life changing in the best way! Been going for the past 45 years and I don't plan on stopping. Helps with creating a purposeful life, respecting our earth and spirituality. read more

Camp Ondessonk has been my home away from home for over 40 years. I go back at least once a year to enjoy the beauty that the Shawnee Forest has to offer. The many friends that I have made there are like family to me. At camp, it is not important if you are rich or poor, black or white, fat or skinny, male or female--everyone is treated with courtesy and respect. Camp is fun--you wont miss your cell phone, tv, video games, or even your soft, cushy, air conditioned room--why? Because you are having the time of your life. If given the opportunity-- go to Camp Ondessonk...you will never know what you missed, if you don't. HEEPWAH! read more

I go to camp all summer every year, best experience ever. home away from home!!

This place was founded by a pedo and another one has just been arrested for sex abuse during the summer of 2017. The camp sent out a letter on 03-20-18 for the latest incident. Stay away from this place. read more

Camp Ondessonk is one of the highlights of my daughters' years. My oldest asked for an extra wee for Christmas last year. The kids kept very busy with activities all day and evening. Many are activities most kids won't have many chances to experience at other times -- boating, archery, horseback riding, and many others. My daughters come home with email addresses for the friends they. Make every year. The staff are fantastic people. They are young men and women that you would want your children to emulate. Camp is very rustic, which puts the kids in a totally unique environment, makes them exercise a little bit of self reliance, and let's them really be in touch with the beautiful surroundings. Camp O has had a great impact on our family, hope the same is true for you! read more

Camp Ondessonk was a life changing experience for my son. He gained skills in leadership, and is more independent and self confident than he was before. The counselors were professional and courteous to the campers and parents. They worked to provide a safe and fun environment for the campers. I chose Camp Ondessonk in part because of the importance it places on training its staff and its accreditation by the American Camping Association, which has very high standards. read more

Camp Ondessonk is located in a very beautiful area. There are a lot of fun activities planned and this camp is for the most part well run. I would NOT recommend this camp to anyone with dietary restrictions or food allergies. My son has a life threatening peanut allergy. We had many emails / calls / discussions prior to my son attending and I was confident he was being well cared for. This was not the case. He was offered food on multiple occasions that had manufacturing warnings for "may contain peanuts". He stopped eating anything other than fruit after day three while he was there out of concerns for his health. When he thought he was having symptoms of an allergic reaction and requested benedryl, he was told to go back to sleep. This is not what his food allergy action plan stated. Overall, I know this is a good camp and many people have had good experiences. I just would not want anyone with specific dietary needs to go through what my son did. read more