Camp Ondessonk
Camp Ondessonk is a nonprofit Catholic youth camp founded in 1959 on 983 acres in Illinois's Shawnee National Forest, offering ACA-accredited overnight summer camps for ages 8-16, outdoor education field trips, family and corporate retreats, and equestrian programs, serving families across multiple Catholic dioceses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersOzark, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Camp Ondessonk does
Camp Ondessonk is a nonprofit Catholic youth camp founded in 1959 and operating on a 983-acre site within the Shawnee National Forest in Ozark, Illinois. The organization runs American Camp Association-accredited overnight summer camp programs spanning ages 8-16, segmented into Mini Camps (8-10), Traditional Camps (10-15), and Teen Adventure Camps (12-16), with leadership development tracks including Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership (15-year-olds) and Counselor-in-Training (16-year-olds). For Summer 2026 the camp introduced two new teen offerings, Eco Adventure and Art & Earth Adventure, integrating STEAM education with outdoor adventure and ecological restoration.
Beyond summer programming, the organization operates outdoor education field trips for school groups, family camps, corporate retreats, spiritual retreats, scout programs, and equestrian programs. Revenue is diversified across summer camp tuition (with multi-year and 6-month Smart Tuition payment plans), outdoor education fees, facility rentals, equestrian lessons, and charitable donations supporting a scholarship program. Go-to-market is community-led through Catholic diocese networks spanning 10 dioceses (Belleville, Evansville, Peoria, Springfield, Nashville, Chicago, Joliet, Owensboro, Cape Girardeau, Memphis), supplemented by direct-to-consumer online registration via CampWise, the Loyal Lodge alumni organization, and seasonal outreach to Catholic schools.
The operation is supported by a year-round team of 1-10 staff that expands to over 100 during the summer camp season (May 20 to August 16, 2026). The technology stack is operationally focused and non-AI-native, consisting of CampWise for registration, Shopify for merchandise sales through the Online Trading Post, and standard calendar integrations. The organization's competitive position rests on 67 years of brand equity, multi-generational alumni engagement, its physical asset base, and ACA accreditation across 300+ safety and program quality criteria.
Camp Ondessonk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Camp Ondessonk
- Legal name
- Camp Ondessonk
- Website
- https://ondessonk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Camp Ondessonk is a nonprofit Catholic youth camp founded in 1959 on 983 acres in Illinois's Shawnee National Forest, offering ACA-accredited overnight summer camps for ages 8-16, outdoor education field trips, family and corporate retreats, and equestrian programs, serving families across multiple Catholic dioceses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Camp Ondessonk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Residential Summer Camps
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science) (EDAMALAC), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)
Keywords
Where Camp Ondessonk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ozark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Camp Ondessonk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Summer Camp Registration Fees: Tuition-based revenue from overnight summer camp programs for youth ages 8-16, including traditional camps, mini camps, adventure camps, and specialty programs like Counselor-in-Training and Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership.
- Outdoor Education Programs: Field trip and outdoor education program fees for school groups, including overnight experiences with activities like hiking, archery, climbing wall, and team-building exercises.
- Facility Rentals: Camping and event rental pricing for family camps, company retreats, spiritual retreats, and group bookings. Includes lodging and meeting space rentals.
- Donations and Scholarships: Charitable contributions from donors supporting scholarship programs that enable children to attend camp who might otherwise be unable due to financial circumstances. Includes planned giving and memorial donations.
- Equestrian Programs: Horse camp programs and riding lessons generating additional revenue streams for the camp.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Traditional Camp for ages 10-15 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Mini Camp for ages 8-10 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Teen Adventure Camps for ages 12-16 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Outdoor Education Field Trips |
| Subscription | Monthly | Smart Tuition Payment Plan |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Camp Ondessonk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Camp Ondessonk operates a residential summer camp and outdoor education facility on 983 acres in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, offering week-long overnight youth summer camp programs for ages 8-16 across multiple age-tiered tracks (Traditional, Mini, Teen Adventure, O.W.L., C.I.T.). It also operates Outdoor Education field trips for school groups, family camps, company retreats, spiritual retreats, scout programs, equestrian programs, and rents its facilities and event meeting spaces. The organization is faith-based, ACA accredited, and supported by donations and a Loyal Lodge alumni giving community.
Product overview
Camp Ondessonk operates as a traditional summer camp and outdoor education provider offering a portfolio of age-differentiated overnight camp programs. The core offerings include Traditional Camps for ages 10-15, Mini Camps for ages 8-10, Teen Adventure Camps for ages 12-16, and specialized leadership programs (Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership for 15-year-olds and Counselor-in-Training for 16-year-olds). For Summer 2026, two new teen programs were introduced: Eco Adventure and Art & Earth Adventure, both targeting ages 13-15 and integrating STEAM education with outdoor experiences. Beyond summer camp, the organization offers Outdoor Education field trips for schools and groups, Family Camps, Company Retreats, Spiritual Retreats, Scout Programs, and Equestrian Programs. The camp also provides Facility Rental options and maintains a Scholarship Program to support financial accessibility. Activities span horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, swimming, high ropes courses, hiking, mountain biking, and nature-based arts and crafts across 983 acres in the Shawnee National Forest.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Traditional Camps Overnight summer camp program for ages 10-15 offering horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, swimming, canoeing, high ropes, and character development on the 983-acre Shawnee National Forest property.
- Mini Camps Three-day overnight camp program for ages 8-10 providing a gentle introduction to overnight camping with boating, archery, handicrafts, and outdoor living skills.
- Teen Adventure Camps Adventure and trip/travel experiences for ages 12-16 featuring challenging outdoor activities, extended expeditions, and leadership development.
- Ondessonk Wisdom in Leadership (O.W.L.) Leadership development program for 15-year-old campers focused on building leadership skills and camp mentorship as a progression pathway within the summer camp portfolio.
- Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) Program for 16-year-olds preparing to become future camp counselors through hands-on training, mentorship, and practicum experience at Camp Ondessonk.
- Eco Adventure Teen program for ages 13-15 combining environmental science education with ecological restoration projects (trail work, glade restoration, invasive species mitigation) and outdoor adventure activities (rock climbing, mountain biking).
- Art & Earth Adventure Teen program for ages 13-15 integrating STEAM learning with nature-based arts and crafts using natural materials (clay, bark, native plant pigments, wild grasses) for ancestral and regional artisan crafts.
- Outdoor Education Field Trips Overnight outdoor education programs for school and youth groups featuring hands-on experiences including discovery hikes, survival skills, archery, climbing wall, and team-building aligned with educational standards.
- Family Camps Weekend programs that allow families to experience camp together with shared outdoor activities, traditions, and bonding experiences at the Shawnee National Forest site.
- Company Retreats Corporate team-building retreats combining outdoor adventure activities and meeting facilities in a natural setting on the 983-acre property.
- Spiritual Retreats Faith-based retreat programs combining outdoor adventure with Catholic spiritual development, reflection, and community building.
- Scout Programs Specialized programming for scout groups offering badge work, outdoor skills, and adventure activities aligned with scouting curriculum at Camp Ondessonk.
- Equestrian Programs Horse camp programs and riding lessons including trail rides, riding lessons, and horse camp experiences using the camp's herd of horses.
- Facility Rental Rental of camp facilities and event meeting spaces (including lodging) for groups and organizations seeking an outdoor venue for retreats, gatherings, and events on the 983-acre site.
- Scholarship Program Financial assistance program helping children and teens attend Camp Ondessonk who might otherwise be unable to participate due to financial circumstances, supported through donations and giving societies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Research shows nature-based learning programs produce measurable gains in confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving exceeding traditional classroom instruction alone
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Camp Ondessonk
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Camp Ondessonk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Camp Ondessonk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Holland ConstructionminorCorporate sponsor that provided funding to enable students from Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence to participate in overnight outdoor education experience at Camp Ondessonk. Represents community partnership supporting youth access to camp programs.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Camp Ondessonk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Interlochen Center for the Arts: Michigan residential arts camp for youth offering overnight programming on a large natural property with multiple specialized tracks — partial overlap given Ondessonk's new Art & Earth Adventure STEAM focus.
Direct peers
- Camp Marist: Faith-based Catholic overnight summer camp with multi-activity programming for youth, structured around spiritual formation and outdoor adventure — the closest mission-aligned peer to Camp Ondessonk.
- Lutherlyn: Pennsylvania-based Christian residential summer camp offering multi-activity overnight programs, outdoor education, and retreat facilities on a large forested site with a similar faith-rooted nonprofit structure.
- Camp Manito-wish YMCA: Wisconsin-based residential wilderness and traditional summer camp with strong outdoor adventure programming, ACA accreditation, and growing retreat/rental utilization — comparable Midwest overnight peer.
- Covenant Harbor: Wisconsin Christian outdoor center combining overnight summer camps with retreat, conference, and facility rentals on Lake Geneva — comparable faith-rooted nonprofit operating year-round on a premium natural site.
- Camp St. Charles: Catholic youth residential camp in Maryland delivering overnight summer sessions, outdoor education, and retreat ministries on a multi-acre natural property — directly comparable faith-based operating model.
- Camp Friedenswald: Michigan Christian residential camp with year-round retreat and outdoor education programming, ACA-equivalent standards, and a multi-acre lakeside property — strong comparable for diversified faith-based operations.
- Camp Wesley Pines: Indiana-based United Methodist residential summer camp offering overnight multi-activity programs, retreat facilities, and faith-rooted youth development paralleling Ondessonk's spiritual/adventure mix.
- YMCA Camp Tecumseh: Large Midwest residential overnight summer camp in Indiana offering equestrian, high ropes, and outdoor adventure comparable to Ondessonk's breadth, plus seasonal facility rentals and retreat programming.
- YMCA Camp St. Croix: Wisconsin-based overnight YMCA summer camp providing traditional multi-activity programs, equestrian options, and retreat/group rental use of facilities — analogous Midwest-scale residential camp.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Camp Ondessonk social profiles
Digital presenceCamp Ondessonk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Camp Ondessonk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Camp Ondessonk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Camp Ondessonk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Camp Ondessonk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Camp Ondessonk
What does Camp Ondessonk do?
Camp Ondessonk operates a residential summer camp and outdoor education facility on 983 acres in the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois, offering week-long overnight youth summer camp programs for ages 8-16 across multiple age-tiered tracks (Traditional, Mini, Teen Adventure, O.W.L., C.I.T.). It also operates Outdoor Education field trips for school groups, family camps, company retreats, spiritual retreats, scout programs, equestrian programs, and rents its facilities and event meeting spaces. The organization is faith-based, ACA accredited, and supported by donations and a Loyal Lodge alumni giving community.
Is Camp Ondessonk a public or private company?
Camp Ondessonk is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Camp Ondessonk founded?
Camp Ondessonk was founded in 1959. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Camp Ondessonk based?
Camp Ondessonk is headquartered in Ozark, United States, in the North America region.
How does Camp Ondessonk make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Summer Camp Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are outdoor Education Programs, facility Rentals, donations and Scholarships and equestrian Programs.
Who are Camp Ondessonk's main competitors?
Interlochen Center for the Arts is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Camp Marist, Lutherlyn, Camp Manito-wish YMCA, Covenant Harbor, Camp St. Charles, Camp Friedenswald, Camp Wesley Pines, YMCA Camp Tecumseh and YMCA Camp St. Croix.
Does Camp Ondessonk have an API?
No public API is recorded for Camp Ondessonk.
What industry is Camp Ondessonk in?
Camp Ondessonk's product category is Youth Residential Summer Camps. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports), with a secondary code of EDAMALAC, STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7000.