Residential Camp

Home What's New Fundraisers Contact Us Meet The Staff Residential Camp Family Camp Day Camp Charitable Giving Volunteer Information Board of Directors Photo Album Store Favorite Links
Help Send a Kid to Camp

donate to camp odayin button link
Camp Odayin Site Search Engine


Winter Newsletter 2011
"The Beat" (PDF 3.6 MB)
Newsletter Archive
2010 Annual Report
Download 2010 Annual Report (PDF 4.7 MB)
Minneapolis Star Tribune Article
Odayin: A Minnesota Camp With a Heart 08/19/03

The Camp Odayin Song
The Camp Odayin Song (.mp3)

Join Camp Odayin on Facebook

Follow Camp Odayin on Twitter

Charities Review Council Compliance Image

2012 Resident Camp Dates:
July 16-20 (Flambeau: Ages 13-15)*
July 23-27 (Namekagon: Ages 16-17)
August 6-10 (Nokasippi: Ages 11-13)*
August 13-17 (Chippewa: Ages 8-11)*
* In an effort to create balanced sessions each week - campers ages 11 or 13 can choose which session they attend.

Camp Odayin's residential program is for children with heart disease between 8 and 17 years of age, who would benefit from connecting with other young people who may share similar health, emotional, and social concerns. Camper eligibility is determined upon recommendation by a pediatric cardiologist and approval by the Camp Odayin Medical Director. The camp director and your child's cardiologist can help you assess if your child should apply to attend camp. The actual cost of Residential Camp is $500, but the only charge to a camper is $25.

2011 Residential Camp Photos:
Flambeau Week
Namekagon Week
Nokasippi Week
Chippewa Week

Camp Odayin is located at Camp Knutson in Crosslake, Minnesota on a peninsula of 30 acres of beautiful forest with a mile of private shoreline on Trout and Lower Whitefish Lakes. Camp Knutson is just a 3 hour drive north of the Minneapolis/ St.Paul area. View photos of Camp Knutson cabins. (PDF 4 MB)



Download a map of directions to the camp by clicking. (PDF 1.8 MB)

Learn About The Residential Camp Experience

Watch this 4 minute news story on Camp Odayin at Camp Knutson aired in September 2007 by Lakeland News to hear firsthand from camp attendees about their experiences and thoughts about residential camp.



As part of Camp Knutson's "Rebuilding for Good" campaign, new buildings and significant improvements have been added to the site. Our campers enjoy a new playground and arts & crafts building, air conditioned sleeping cabins, and remodeled facilities. Camp Knuston, a program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, is dedicated to nurturing the well being of children, families, and individuals with special needs.

Round trip transportation is provided to Camp Odayin from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. A bus leaves Monday morning and returns Friday afternoon. The drop off and pick up site is close to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport to accommodate our campers arriving via plane.

Camper applications are available in early March, and are due in May. Included in the application packet is a general enrollment form and a medical form that needs to be completed by your child's cardiologist. These need to be returned to the camp office with $25 registration fee.

Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis. After your child is accepted, you will receive transportation information, packing lists, authorization forms and additional details. Please contact the camp office to request an application by mail.

Activities:
  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Horseback Riding
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Music
  • Campfires
  • Skits
  • Archery
  • Nature
  • Theme Nights
  • Fishing
A sample day at Camp Odayin:
  • 8:00 AM Flag rising
  • 8:15 AM Breakfast
  • 8:45 AM Cabin clean up
  • 9:15 AM Three 45 minute activity rotations (archery, horseback riding, arts & crafts, biking, nature, court games, adventure games, and more!) through out the morning.
  • Noon Lunch
  • 1:00 PM Rest hour
  • 2:00 PM Waterfront Time (Swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, tubing, snorkeling, paddleboats, fishing)
  • 4:00 PM Cabin time/ Free time/ Shower hour
  • 5:00 PM Dinner
  • 6:00 PM All camp games/ activities
  • 7:00 PM Evening activities (such as campfire, carnival, disco BINGO, Hawaiian Luau, Country Ho Down, talent show)
  • 9:00 PM Snack and Cabin closing
  • 9:30/10:00 PM Lights out
FAQs

Q: What does "Odayin" in the name "Camp Odayin" mean or signify?

A: The beautiful heartland of Minnesota is home to Ojibwa people. Our name derives its name from the Ojibwa word for heart, "odayin".

Q: What kind of medical attention and facilities are available to my child at camp?

A: Camp Odayin is fully staffed with medical professionals. Two pediatric cardiologists are at camp for all five days, as well as a cardiac nurse per 7-8 children. In addition, our counselors have been trained with basic cardiac knowledge. Camp Odayin has a fully equipped cardiac health center, which is staffed around the clock.

Q: Who will take care of my child's medication while at camp?

A: All medications are kept in the health center. A nurse is assigned to your child's cabin group, and is responsible for delivering all medications to those children throughout their time with us.

Q: What if my child cannot or chooses not to participate in some of the camp activities?

A: Our staff understands and respects the difference in each child. We try to make every activity available at many different levels, and hope your child will choose a level of participation in which they are comfortable.

Q: How will my child be placed in a cabin?

A: Campers are placed in cabins with other campers of the same gender and age range. We also consider your child's health needs, in order to create a well-balanced cabin group. Counselors and nurses sleep in cabins with campers.

Q: When will we know the dates for next summer?

A: Summer camp dates are determined in the fall and will be posted on our website by October 1st each year.

Q: What are Camp Odayin's camper acceptance guidelines?

A: Camp Odayin is a place specifically for children with heart disease. Although we do not accept or decline any campers over the phone or via e-mail, these guidelines are intended to help you as a parent determine if you should submit an application. Some medical requirements we have are:
  • Heart disease must be the primary health concern of the child
  • The child must independently manage their daily care
  • The child should have a knowledge of their heart disease
  • The child must be seen by a cardiologist on a regular basis
  • The child should either be on a cardiac medication or have had a surgical intervention
  • If the child has any other illnesses, disabilities (physical or developmental), or diseases, Camp Odayin will review those files on an individual basis and determine if Camp Odayin is an appropriate "fit" for the child
At any time, Camp Odayin has the right to refuse a camper for any of the above reasons. Please let us know if you have any questions before submitting an application.