November 15-17 – Salem, WI
Bello! (That’s “Hello” in Minionese!) We’re so excited that you are planning to join us at our “Minion” themed Family Camp on November 15-17! Family Camp is a fun and energetic weekend filled with games and themes. Come prepared to have a great time as you meet other incredible heart families.
To-do Before Family Camp
- Create a family “scrapbook” page that includes some fun facts about your family and a family photo. (You’ll post this on a “get-to-know-you wall” at Family Camp. No pressure to make it pretty – it’s all about sharing what makes your family unique!)
- Start packing!
- Watch your inbox for more emails from us in the coming few weeks before camp!
Packing List
NOTE: Bath towels, bedding, linens and pillows are provided by Wonderland Camp.
- Clothing and toiletries for the whole family
- Hats, scarves, gloves – we do our best to spend
lotsoftime outside! - Shower shoes
- Flashlight
- Water bottles
- Alarm clock (there are no clocks in the rooms)
Special (Optional) packing list items
- Family scrapbook page with photo(s)
- Family Outfit/Uniform: Grab your best Minion costumes & accessories to wear on Saturday to dress up as a family of Minions!
- Pajamas (to wear to a meal!)
- Talent show props, instruments, music, or costumes
Optional packing items:
Masks, fan, white noise machine, ear plugs, nightlight, camera, book, journal, travel coffee mug, snacks, crib, and/or high chair (limited number available at camp), money for soda machines and/or Odayin merchandise (for sale – Venmo and credit cards accepted).
Talent Show
You are invited to participate in our optional talent show on Sunday morning. Please feel free to bring instruments, props, and/or costumes if anyone (or everyone) in your family would like to participate. There is a piano available to use.
Arrival at Camp on Friday, Nov. 15
Camp Odayin staff will meet your family’s car at the driveway in front of the chapel to provide housing assignments during check-in between 4:00 and 5:00 on Friday. Please let us know if you anticipate getting to Family Camp after 5:00. Between 5:00 and 6:30, staff can be found in the dining hall to check you in. After 6:30, we will be in the chapel. If you reach Wonderland Camp earlier than 4:00, please explore the town of Salem and surrounding area. We will be prepared to greet your family at 4:00.
How to get to Wonderland Camp
Wonderland Camp is approximately 1.5 hours from Chicago, IL and an hour from Milwaukee, WI. The address is The Salvation Army Wonderland Camp and Conference Center, 9241 Camp Lake Road, Salem, WI. (Interesting fact: We are an independent 501c3 nonprofit, unaffiliated with any hospital or parent organization. Many of the camp sites we rent for our programs hold religious values. We do not share or incorporate any religious practices into our camp programs.)
Accommodations
There are a variety of different buildings with different housing styles at Wonderland Camp. There are buildings with rooms which have bathrooms and showers within them. Some buildings offer private rooms with bathrooms and showers shared between more than one family. Bedding and towels are provided in all buildings. When making housing assignments, we take into consideration the number of people in the family and accessibility or other special needs. In order to be fair to all families, we do not take requests for specific rooms or buildings. We do strive to honor special housing needs and requests whenever possible. We do not provide families with housing assignments prior to their arrival to camp.
Food
Meals are provided from dinner on Friday through breakfast on Sunday. While we do not allow food from home at Residential Camp, you may bring your own food to Family Camp. We understand that you may have picky eaters, snackers, and dietary concerns within your family. Please be conscious of avoiding open food and crumbs in your cabin. For those with dietary restrictions, unfortunately Wonderland Camp’s kitchen will only prepare special food for Vegetarian, Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free individuals. They welcome ALL others with dietary restrictions or allergies to bring supplementary food for meals, which the kitchen will be happy to store. There is always a salad bar available.
Supervision of Children
Parents and guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children (of all ages) throughout the Family Camp weekend. The sole exception is during the parent and guardian education time/kid time. At this time on Saturday afternoon, children age 3 and older will be placed into groups according to age to enjoy fun activities under the supervision of Camp Odayin staff and volunteers.
Medical Concerns
Each family is responsible for their own storing and distribution of medication. There are shared fridges, basic first aid supplies, AEDs onsite and medical assistance is very close if needed. Note that any cardiologists and nurses joining us at camp are not “on duty” to hand out medications.
Movie Nights
Each night of camp, there is a movie available to families.
Friday: Despicable Me 3
Saturday: Despicable Me 4
We suggest visiting https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews or the Parents Guide in IMDB to determine whether these movies feel appropriate for your children. These resources offer feedback directly from parents and even kids, so you can read about other viewers’ experiences.
Outdoor Fun
We will be spending time outside all weekend, traveling between buildings and enjoying free time so be sure to bring plenty of warm clothing for the whole family. You can check the forecast at www.weather.com and enter zip 53109. At beautiful Wonderland Camp, there’s easy access to the lake. We will not provide fishing poles or bait, but if you would like to fish during free time on Saturday, you may bring your own poles. Young people 16 years old and under are not required to have a fishing license, but anyone older than 16 would need to purchase a Wisconsin fishing license prior to camp.
Climbing Wall
There will be an opportunity to enjoy Wonderland Camp’s indoor climbing wall on Saturday afternoon. Please be aware that Wonderland Camp enforces a weight requirement for the climbing wall of 48 pounds. No one under this weight limit will be able to participate in the climbing wall. If your family did not provide consent in the registration to use the climbing wall, it is the responsibility of guardians to ensure family members do not participate.
Travel Expense Support
We offer transportation reimbursements – up to $200 can be reimbursed for your travel costs (for example, gas purchases). Contact brooke@campodayin.org for pre-approval and more information on how to submit receipts.
Contact Us
If you have questions prior to Thursday, November 14, please contact the Camp Odayin office at 651.351.9185 or email info@campodayin.org. On Thursday and Friday, we will be out of the office and will not be checking email. At that time, we can be reached by calling or texting 747-263-2946.
If your plans have changed and you can no longer attend, please let us know as it greatly impacts our planning, meals, and accommodations.
