The entire middle school gears up for three days at Camp Ondessonk beginning Wednesday, with a focus on formation, fun, and faith. 

“I think these are the kind of things that, if done correctly, are difference makers for guys’ experiences,” Director of Middle School Campus Ministry Henry Samson said. “This is very much something that we want guys to look back on and say, man that was a really cool, big moment for me.”

The Spartans will learn the various skills of archery, fishing, starting a fire, ropes courses, and making smores all while deepening faith and building relationships.

“I hope they make connections with friends, kids, classmates that they have not yet made connections with,” Dean of the Middle School Joe Kilmade said. “They kind of have this singular moment to kind of connect them all, and it can be something that lays the foundation for more growth.” 

The middle school departs on Sept. 10 and returns on Sept.12. Located two and a half hours away in Ozark, Illinois, Ondessonk sits on 983 acres of land boarded by the Shawnee National Forest that spans 289,000 acres.

“There’s something really cool about the remoteness of it,” Mr. Samson said. “It’s absolutely beautiful with the forest and the lake and the trails.”

21 high school students will join the middle schoolers and serve in a leadership role for the camp and throughout the rest of the year.

“I love it,” Mr. Samson said. “I don’t think we could do it without them.”

The goal of the camp is to build brotherhood, faith, and challenge each student and faculty member to experience something new, learn something, and overcome challenges

“Some [graduates] will talk about class, and guys talk about sports, and stuff they’re involved in,” Mr. Samson said. “But usually you fall on those kinds of big events that you do through your school, that really don’t have you sitting in a classroom.”