October 10-12 – Annandale, MN
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!
- Collect used, unstained towels for our Towel Drive to benefit the nonprofit, Bridging.
Packing List
- Clothing and toiletries for the whole family
- Hats, scarves, gloves – we do our best to spend lots of time outside!
- Sleeping bags & pillows (linens are NOT provided – beds are twin size)
- Bath towels
- Shower shoes
- Flashlight
- Water bottles
- For teens – closed toed shoes (not Crocs) and loose, long pants for high ropes course during Kid Time
Special (optional) packing list items:
- Family scrapbook page with photo(s)
- Family Outfit/Uniform: Choose one color from Inside Out characters and dress from head to toe as a family (orange, teal, gray/pink, navy, green, purple, red,or blue) or choose any character from the Inside Out movies.
- 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, high chair (limited number available at camp), cash for Odayin merchandise (also, Venmo and credit cards accepted).
Talent Show
You are invited to participate in our Talent Show on Sunday morning – as a family or individuals. 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, October 10th
Check-in is between 4:00 and 5:00 on Friday. You will find out your lodging, best place to park, and schedule (among other things). Please let us know if you anticipate getting to Family Camp after 5:00.
Arrive at the main parking lot (Visitor’s parking) to get checked in by Odayin staff. *One person will need to exit the car and walk to the entrance (see photos below & look for the Odayin banner upon arrival).
If you arrive between 5:00-6:30, head straight to the Dining Hall (on dirt road) and park there. Come inside the dining hall (leave your belongings in your car) to get checked in by Odayin staff.
**Arrivals after 6:30 need to park in the Visitor’s parking and walk to the entrance – please text us at 651-491-8673 and we will come to you.
How to get to Camp Friendship
Camp Friendship is located at 10509 108th St NW, Annandale, MN 55302. The first sign you will see will say “DINING HALL” and it indicates how to find the Visitor’s Lot (see photos). When you approach the Visitor’s parking lot, you will see the “Camp Friendship” sign on the left. Once you park, look for the Odayin banner for the location to check in.
Accommodations
All of the buildings for lodging are designed for community living with cabins spread out throughout camp. Check out the variety of buildings here: Lodging at Camp Friendship.
Within shared cabins, each family has designated space(s) and privacy is provided by doors or curtains. In general, there are twin beds and some twin bunk beds. All buildings have shared bathrooms and a common space, some equipped with a fridge or kitchenette. (Note: Most fridges are found in the meeting buildings rather than the lodging).
We do not share housing assignments prior to arrival at camp and no linens or towels are provided. Please contact us if you have special accommodations (i.e. too tall for a certain bed, need extra space for a crib, need a fridge, need a bathtub, etc.)
Food
Meals are provided from dinner on Friday through breakfast on Sunday, and served buffet style. 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. We have shared your dietary restrictions with Camp Friendship, but please contact us if you have questions.
Supervision of Children
Parents / guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children (of all ages) throughout the Family Camp weekend. Odayin volunteers are present to lead activities and support the fun, rather than act as chaperones.
The sole exception is during the adult education time / Kid Time on Saturday afternoon. Children in pre-school (at least 3 yrs & potty-trained) to age 18 will be divided into small groups according to age to enjoy fun activities under the supervision of Camp Odayin staff and volunteers. We do not have the staff or proper accommodations to provide care for infants and toddlers (under the age of 3 or not potty-trained).
If you have young adults (over the age of 18) who would like to help supervise a certain age group or participate in activities, please contact us.
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 in Annandale, MN if needed. Note that any cardiologists and nurses joining us at camp are not “on duty” to hand out medications.
Family Nights – Movies & Games
Our activities wrap up each night about 7:45pm. We encourage you and your family to spend more time together watching a movie or playing games.
The gym and game room on the bottom floor of the Program Center will be open in the evenings from 7:30pm-10pm.
The movies for the weekend are:
Friday: Inside Out
Saturday: Inside Out 2
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.
Quiet hours are 11pm-7am.
Outdoor Fun
We will be spending time outside all weekend, traveling between buildings and enjoying all that Camp Friendship has to offer (gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, trails, bonfires, etc) 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 55302.
Unfortunately the water front activities, except fishing, at Camp Friendship (along with their pool) are closed for the season. Even though there will be no docks, you can fish along the shoreline. While we will not provide fishing poles or bait, you may bring your own poles, etc for free time on Saturday.
Family Camp Shirts
If you are interested in ordering Family Camp t-shirts or sweatshirts, visit our special Family Camp website. Orders will be shipped to you before Family Camp.
https://www.asbshops.com/tessa-flanary/camp-odayin-family-camp-merch-2025
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 Friday, October 10, please contact the Camp Odayin office at 651.351.9185 or email info@campodayin.org. On that 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 651.491.8673.
If your plans have changed and you can no longer attend, please let us know as it greatly impacts our planning, meals, and accommodations.
