Thank you so much for planning to volunteer at Summer Camp in Minnesota. Camp Odayin changes young people’s lives, thanks to people like YOU!
New information will be added to this webpage as summer camp approaches. Please feel free to contact alison@campodayin.org with questions! We’re happy to provide any information that will help you feel excited, welcomed, and prepared for camp.
Camp & Staff Training Dates
Chippewa: grades 1-6
Staff Training: Sunday, July 13 – 11am-5pm
Camp: Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18
Namekagon: grades 9-11
Staff Training: Sunday, July 20 – 11am-5pm
Camp: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25
Flambeau: grades 6-8
Staff Training: Sunday, July 27 – 11am-5pm
Camp: Monday, July 28 – Friday, Aug 1
On the first day of camp/Monday, staff must be at the Odayin HQ in Oakdale at 8:00am.
On Friday, we arrive back in Oakdale between 6:00 and 6:30pm.
Staff Training Requirements
There will be two aspects of staff training. In addition to our in-person training, the following training materials will be emailed to you 2-3 weeks prior to camp.
1. Pre-Camp Training Videos (counselors & nurses). When you click the assignment link, you will be prompted to sign in. You will need to sign up for an EdPuzzle account, if you haven’t already. This is required to view the pre-training videos. Please fill out all the information when creating an account, especially your LAST NAME. Then click Join Class.
During some of the training videos, it will pause several times to recap and ask you questions. You will not be able to skip or fast forward through the video to answer these questions, however, they can be paused at any time to complete at a later date. If you do not pass a quiz, you will get a notification in EdPuzzle to retry (we love second chances!). We suggest setting aside 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete these training videos. Note: There are two videos that are optional, but highly recommended for new staff.
- ALL CHIP STAFF: https://edpuzzle.com/join/zigpetw
- ALL NAM STAFF: https://edpuzzle.com/join/wejfeni
- ALL FLAM STAFF: https://edpuzzle.com/join/ilunhon
- Former Odayin campers who are new camp volunteers, please also complete the assignment at this link: https://edpuzzle.com/join/kotolfa
2. All Staff – Read the 2025 Minnesota Camp Staff Manual
3. Nurses & Doctors ONLY – Read the Medical & Leadership Manual
In-Person Staff Training
Chippewa: Sunday, July 13 – 11am-5pm
Namekagon: Sunday, July 20 – 11am-5pm
Flambeau: Sunday, July 27 – 11am-5pm
ALL counselors and nurses are required to attend staff training the day prior to their camp session(s). Lunch and a good time will be provided. This in-person staff training will be located at the Camp Odayin office headquarters (3503 High Point Drive North, Oakdale, MN 55128 – 4Front Office & Technology Campus). We will meet in Building 4, which is the largest building with the main entrance to the campus. (Building #4 has 4 stories, building #3 has 3 stories, etc.) Come ready to meet, greet and have fun!
Camp Transportation
On the first morning of camp, staff must arrive at the Camp Odayin office headquarters in Oakdale by 8:00am to be present for camper camper check-in. We have air-conditioned coach buses reserved to take us to camp, and all staff members are required to ride the bus. We will be leaving directly following camper check-in. You can leave your car parked in the parking lot for the week. We will return to the Camp Odayin office on the last day of camp between 6:00 and 6:30pm. There will be a staff celebration nearby in Oakdale after all of the campers have been picked up.
Travel Scholarship
Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to offer travel support for staff and campers would benefit from up to a $200 reimbursement for your travel costs (hotel, flight, gas, etc). These funds can be used for travel/accommodations related to attending staff training and camp. Contact the Camp Odayin office at brooke@campodayin.org for pre-approval and more information.
Our Campers
We will be serving campers from all over the United States. All of our campers have a history of heart disease and have been cleared by their cardiologist to attend camp. We adapt the camp experience so that everyone may participate regardless of the severity of their condition, at their own comfort level. However, there will be some campers who require some extra attention or assistance. Nurses assigned to each cabin will inform counselors of additional needs, distribute medications, and monitor the medical conditions of each camper. At staff training, you will be given specific information and instructions regarding the health and safety of each camper in your cabin group.
Cabin Groups
At Summer Camp, campers are divided into cabins with 6-8 campers with 2 counselors and a nurse. In addition, our host site, Camp Knutson, has an awesome seasonal staff and one of the K staff will help support your cabin group as needed. Directors Brooke Hohag and Morgan Freeburg will be present at all camp sessions, along with a lead nurses and three cardiologists to ensure that staff and campers are medically supported.
Medical Details
In order to comply with our American Camp Association accreditation, we ask for details related to your health history on the acceptance form. This medical information is confidential, very important in case of an emergency, and not retained year to year for returning staff.
All staff medication must be turned into the Lead Nurse at camper registration on the first day. Our policy is that all camper and staff medications are to be stored and locked in the Health Center and cannot be kept in the cabins. This includes vitamins, supplements, and over the counter medicine such as Advil, Sudafed, etc. When you need your medicine, you may retrieve it from the Health Center at any time.
Cell Phones & Mail
You may certainly bring your cell phone to camp, but we maintain a strict policy regarding usage that is covered at staff training. Campers are not permitted to have phones or smart devices (like a watch), unless used to monitor their hearts. We maintain this same standard for staff. We encourage you to prepare to have a “non smart” watch to wear at camp. More details in the pre-training videos, as well. If you have questions or concerns, please email us to discuss. New this year: Cell phones CAN be used as alarm clocks.
If your family needs to reach you during Summer Camp, they can call the Directors on the Camp Odayin cell phone at 651.491.8673.
If anyone wants to send you a letter while you’re at camp, here’s the address (no packages, please):
Your Name
Camp Odayin at Camp Knutson
11148 Manhattan Point Blvd
Crosslake, MN 56442
In addition, family members and friends can send a one-way electronic message to you through our partnership with BUNK NOTES. The service is directed at parents of campers, but your family and friends can follow the steps below to access or create an account. They will be prompted to select a bundle. Bundles include credits for you to send Bunk Notes and enhance your notes with borders, photos, sports scores, and puzzles. The messages are printed and delivered to campers and staff during lunch each day.
- Visit Bunk1.com
- RETURNING USERS will login using their email address and password from the previous year.
- NEW USERS will click “New Here? Get Started” button and complete the basic form.
- The Invitation Code for Camp Odayin is: 25ODAY
Finally, we’ll post daily pictures for your family and friends to enjoy at the links below:
- July 14-18 (Chippewa: grades 1-6) – PHOTO ALBUM
- July 21-25 (Namekagon: grades 9-11) – PHOTO ALBUM
- July 28-August 1 (Flambeau: grades 6-8) – PHOTO ALBUM
What to Bring to Camp
Please clearly label all items – including luggage, bedding and clothing, as Camp Odayin is not responsible for lost items.
- sleeping bag, pillow, and pajamas
- swimsuit (camp appropriate) and beach towel
- water shoes or beach sandals
- tennis shoes (closed toe) – required for horseback riding
- a hat (crazy or practical)
- outfits / costumes for special themes (emailed in June)
- sunscreen (lip and body)
- plastic bag for dirty / wet clothes
- 3-4 pairs of shorts
- 4-5 T-shirts – one long sleeved
- 2 pairs of jeans or long pants (required for horseback riding)
- sweatshirt or sweater (1-2)
- rain jacket or windbreaker
- toiletries & bath towel / washcloth
- plenty of socks and undergarments
- watch / alarm clock (no Apple watches at camp, nor can phones be used for alarms)
- an OLD outfit you could even throw away after camp (grubby t-shirt and shorts)
Optional items to bring: camera, journal, flashlight, decorations for your cabin, travel coffee mug (if you’ll want more coffee than what you can consume at meals).
There will be a talent show! Feel free to bring anything that might help your cabin showcase their talents.
Please do not bring gum, mp3 players, smart watches, money or valuables to camp. We ask this of the campers as well. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pets, and weapons are strictly prohibited at Camp Odayin.
Themed Packing List
One of our main goals at camp is to provide a FUN experience for our campers. One of the ways we do this is through many silly activities, crazy meals, and goofy evening programs. Campers love to see their counselors, doctors and nurses dressed up and having a good time. Please try to bring some special clothes for these events. Check the closet, visit your local thrift store, and hit the garage sales (don’t spend $$$$ – this is camp and things can get dirty…).
Chippewa (July 14-18)
- Shirt with animal of choice or animal print
- Favorite color from head to toe
- Head gear (crown, baseball cap, helmet, cowboy hat, mask, silly foam hat, etc.)
- Tropical shirt or accessory
- Extra shirt, socks, and/or accessories to mismatch for a meal
- Merfolk, pirate, or sea creature outfit or accessory
Namekagon (July 21-25)
- 60’s or 70’s outfit or Scooby-Doo character costume
- White t-shirt (and white shorts optional)
- Ocean inspired outfit- such as merfolk, pirate, sea creature, tropical, blue
- Dance Party Outfit (may get wet)
- Flannel/Plaid shirt or outdoorsy accessory
- Head gear (crown, baseball cap, helmet, cowboy hat, mask, silly foam hat, etc.)
- Extra shirt, socks, and/or accessories to mismatch for a meal
- Extra bathing suit(s)
Flambeau (July 28-Aug 1)
- 60’s or 70’s outfit or Scooby-Doo Character Costume
- Shirt with animal of choice or animal print
- Tropical shirt or accessory
- Ocean inspired outfit- such as merfolk, pirate, sea creature, tropical, blue
- Flannel/Plaid shirt or outdoorsy accessory
- Head gear (crown, baseball cap, helmet, cowboy hat, mask, silly foam hat, etc.)
- Extra shirt, socks, and/or accessories to mismatch for a meal
- Extra bathing suit(s)
A Sample Day at Camp Odayin
- 8:15 AM – Breakfast
- 8:45 AM – Cabin clean up
- 9:15 AM – Three or four activity rotations (archery, horseback riding, arts & crafts, nature, boat rides, and more)
- Noon – Lunch
- 1:00 PM – Rest hour
- 2:30 PM – Waterfront Time (Swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, tubing, paddle boats, fishing)
- 4:30 PM – Cabin time/ Free time/ Shower hour
- 5:30 PM – Dinner
- 6:30 PM – All Camp Games / Evening Theme (such as campfire songs, ballfield games, bounce houses, talent show, dance party)
- 8:00 PM – Snack and Cabin closing
- 8:30/9:00 PM – Lights out
Camp Knutson
Our Minnesota Residential Camp sessions are 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. Round trip transportation is provided to Camp Knutson from Oakdale, MN.
Employer Match
Many companies and organizations will support your volunteer efforts with a monetary donation to Camp Odayin! Please check with your employer and see if they will match your volunteer hours. In order for us to continually provide this camp experience for only $50 per camper, we rely on the generosity of many individuals, foundations and businesses. Thank you in advance for helping to grow our family of givers.
