The mission of the camp is "Exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages.

Each summer, the camps were staffed by seminarians and college students all under the direction of Monsignor John T. Fournie.

Campers at St. Philip spent their nights in one of five units; Marquette, LaSalle, Lalande, Brebeuf, and Hennepin.

Activities included swimming, archery, riflery, horseback riding, nature hikes, and camp crafts.

More space was added with the construction of more units - Daniel, Garnier, Tekakwith, Amantacha, Ahatsistari and Lalemant.

A bridge was built over Lake Echon and was dedicated to the memory of Larry Garner, a former staff member who was killed in action in Vietnam.

Although they were referred to as units, the Frontier program was a separate experience from camp, during which participants traveled to places offsite.

The Garnier tree houses were built up shore from the original cabins and the Amantacha bridge was added to replace the various methods of getting campers across Lake Echon.

Camp Ondessonk acquired an American Black Bear named Tommy 1966 from Omar's Bikini Club near East St.

The symbol of Camp Ondessonk is a circle with a cross coming out of the top and seven stars surrounding it representing the eight North American Martyrs.

The four remaining martyrs and represented with stars on the bottom right, St. René Goupil, St. Antoine Daniel, St. Noël Chabanel, and St. Charles Garnier.

It is the name that the Huron gave to St. Issac Jogues when he was serving among them as a Jesuit missionary, because of his black robe.

[12] Jogues came to this country from France in the early 17th century in an effort to bring the Gospel to the American Indians.

Lodges Teondecoren and Couture were originally designated as primitive units that gave campers an experience away from camp during which they lived off the land for the week.

Pakentuck is a natural area that includes a waterfall and the remnant of a Boy Scout camp.

Program areas include an archery range, riflery range, handicrafts building, stables for horseback riding, a boating area for canoeing and kayaking, a swimming lake, a chapel, and other outdoor clearings for other programs such as woodsmanship.

Evenings include campfires, large group games, camping out overnight away from units, and an honor society ceremony.

The mini campers stay in enclosed cabin units, Aonnetta (girls) and Chiwatenwha (boys).

[47] Because of the extended nature of their stay, campers are able to participate in all the activities of traditional camp in a modified form for their age and abilities.

[48] The main areas of focus are horsemanship, rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking, and canoeing.

The programs take a limited number of campers and provide them with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills of a particular area.

Participants have the opportunity to learn about leadership styles, communication techniques and share and identify their own ideas and values.

In order to be considered for Lodge, candidates much show these qualities as well as being at least a second year camper or staff member.

Members are divided geographically into councils for administrative purposes to give back to Ondessonk through fundraisers or service.

A member of Lodge is signified by a sash they wear, containing a patch of a simplified version of the symbol of Camp Ondessonk.

The John de LaLande Award is presented to a non-Lodge Member who is part of the Camp Ondessonk staff and feels that they do not meet the proper requirements for membership into the organization but have rendered meritorious service to Camp Ondessonk and the community.

As part of their experience Lodge Campers participate in rock climbing at Pakentuck, the High Challenge Course, and an extended horseback ride.

In 1964 the trip left from Miami, Fl., on a yacht and sailed to the Bahama Islands for a Christmas vacation of swimming, beach combing, shopping, and relaxation.

This court order was appealed and after multiple legal proceedings, the injured camper's family dropped the lawsuit.

[56] A lawsuit was filed for negligence against the camp for not properly safeguarding a cliff after an accident on 10 April 1992.