Mission Statement
At Camp Odayin, our mission is to provide fun, safe and supportive camp experiences and community building opportunities for young people with heart disease and their families.
Kids play. Worries rest. Fun happens.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2024 was a great year for Odayin! Winter Camp was back for the first time in three years and 77 campers attended. Our two Moms Retreats welcomed 99 heart moms and our Dads Weekend grew to accommodate 24 dads. We served 102 families during our two fall family camp weekends and summer camp sessions saw 240 heart heroes. All of our fundraising events exceeded projected revenue and we formed some wonderful new partnerships.
Current Goals
Camp Odayin's long-term goal is to contribute to the improved quality of life and overall well-being of children with heart disease and their families. Our objectives to meet that goal include:
1) Safety: Giving parents and children peace of mind knowing precautions are in place to assure the safety of each child. The camp environment is intentionally equipped and designed to meet the unique cardiac needs of this population.
2) Community: Creating a sense of community and reducing the degree of isolation these children and their families can experience by connecting them with others who share similar health, emotional and social concerns.
3) Personal growth: Engaging campers in empowering activities that improve their self-concept, self-confidence and social skills and contribute to their capacity to lead full and active lives.
4) Inclusion: Fostering an increase in diversity, equity and inclusion among our heart family by identifying and minimizing barriers to participation. The cost to attend any camp program is $50 per camper, or whatever a family chooses to pay. Payment options within the registration start at $0 to ensure that cost is not a barrier to joining us.
5) Education: Connecting parents with educational opportunities through expert guest speakers in the field of cardiology, print materials and online education and resources.
Community or Constituency Served
Young people with heart disease and their families.
Geographic Area Served
Primarily the midwest - MN, WI, IA, IL, SD, ND - but serve campers throughout the country.
