October 9-11 – Maple Lake, MN
Camp Odayin Cell Phone: 651.491.8673
The Zoom link above will be available as an alternative way to view the Parent/Adult Time with Dr. Chip Martin and Sara Meslow on Saturday morning. There will not be an option to ask questions if you join virtually.
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 the week of camp for updates
- Collect old and broken crayons to be remade into something new – collect them from your home, school, restaurants (yes, those crayons with the kids’ menu otherwise end up in the dump), and/or your neighbors and BRING THEM TO FAMILY CAMP. Camp Odayin is collecting unwanted crayons of all colors and sizes to support the Crayon Initiative, a non profit that takes old crayons, remelts them into a three sided, large design and sends them to kids in hospitals all over the country. The unique design is easier for kids to grip and can’t roll off hospital trays.
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 & beach towels
- Shower shoes
- Flashlight
- Water bottles
- bathing suits
- For middle and high schoolers – closed toed shoes (not Crocs) and long pants/leggings
Fun packing list items:
- Family scrapbook page with photo(s)
- Family costumes with a dinosaur or Jurassic Park theme, including paleontologists, archaeologists, geologists, fossils, volcano, etc. *Please choose costumes that are visually friendly for all ages (ie. avoid masks, full body inflatables, sharp teeth or fangs, loud accessories)
- Used crayons to support The Crayon Initiative. Ask your neighbors. Collect them from restaurants. See if your school has a donation.(optional)
- Pajamas for a meal
- Props, etc for your Talent Show act (optional)
Optional packing items:
Masks, fan, white noise machine, ear plugs, nightlight, extension cord, 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).
Arrival at Camp on Friday, October 9th
Check-in is between 4:00 and 5:00 on Friday. Upon arrival, you will find out your lodging, parking, and schedule (among other things). Please email info@campodayin.org if you anticipate getting to Family Camp after 5:00.
Arrive at the main parking lot at the Cambria Rec Center (turn left at the stop sign and look for Odayin staff). Please stay in your car and pull into line. We will come to your car to check you in.
**Later than 5:00 arrivals need to park at the Cambria Rec Center and text us at 651-491-8673 when you arrive so an Odayin staff can communicate where to meet us for check in. If your arrival time is unexpectedly delayed, please text the Odayin cell phone 651-491-8673.
How to get to Camp Courage
Camp Courage is located at 8046 83rd St NW, Maple Lake, MN 55358.
At the stop sign, turn left towards Lakeside campus. Directly on your right, you will see the Welcome Center and the Odayin banner. Behind it is the Rec Center and parking lot. This is the location of check in and many of our activities.
Note: This will not be the parking lot where you will park for the weekend. Parking is available closer to your housing.
Accommodations
All of the buildings for lodging are designed for community living with cabins spread out throughout camp. Each family has designated space(s) and privacy with doors to your room(s). Some cabins have a shared bathroom and showers. There are no bathtubs on site. There are twin beds and some twin bunk beds. Every living space/room has outlets, a shared fridge and microwave, coffee pot, and small meeting space to gather.
At check in on Friday, you will learn where your family is sleeping. We are not able to share this ahead of time because it tends to change as we approach the weekend. When placing you and your family into housing, the first consideration was the number of people and your needs, then we did our best to honor your requests to be near certain families. If you are not in the same building with them, you will be on the same side of camp (Lakeside vs Woodland). Please know that we cannot change your housing placement – we are full to capacity. When you arrive in your room, you’ll see a “field guide” that will lay out the details of your living space.
Parking will be available near your housing. At the stop sign, turn left to get to the Lakeside parking lot. You can continue to veer to the right to unload at the dining hall and gazebo. DO NOT drive on the cart path to the left of the dining hall. Please park your car at the top of the hill in the rustic parking lot. For Woodland parking, turn right at the stop sign, then left. At the bottom of the hill, you’ll see the dining hall on your left and the larger parking lot a bit farther on your right.
Food
Meals are provided from dinner on Friday through breakfast on Sunday, and served buffet style. Meals will be happening in two dining halls. It’s imperative that you eat your meals at your assigned dining hall that corresponds to the location of your housing (i.e. if you sleep in a Lakeside cabin, you’ll eat at the Lakeside dining hall). We will only be providing one snack, which is during Kid Time. You may bring your own food to Family Camp. Keep in mind fridge space is limited. We understand that you may have picky eaters, snackers, and dietary concerns within your family. We have shared your dietary restrictions with Camp Courage, 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, including pool time. A parent/adult is required to be present with anyone who is under 18 years old while at the pool / splashpad. 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 where we will host fun activities for children ages 3-18, under the supervision of Camp Odayin staff and volunteers.
Adult Education Time / Kid Time
On Saturday morning, parents are invited to drop off their children, ages 3-18, and join us for Adult Education Time with Sara, our Executive Director, and Dr. Chip Martin. There will be time to connect based on your heart hero’s diagnosis, share stories, and talk to a doc!
If you are unable to join the Adult Time, join Zoom Meeting (if our wifi connection cooperates)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87329503474
For Kid Time, children (ages 3-18) 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).
Activities will be different for each age group and include high ropes (high & middle), archery (older elementary), arts & crafts, cooperative games, and team building activities. Your packet at check in will include Kid Time groups and activities.
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.
Family Nights – Movies & Pool
Our activities wrap up each night about 7:30pm. We encourage you and your family to spend more time together watching a movie, visiting the bonfire, and/or swimming (Sat. only). All programs, swimming, & s’mores end at 9:30pm (Quiet hours start at 10pm).
Two movies will be shown in separate locations each night, the movies for the weekend are:
Friday: Jurassic Park (PG-13) or The Dinosaur (G)
Saturday: The Jungle Cruise (PG-13), Paw Patrol Dino Movie (PG)
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.
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.
Amenities
We will be spending time outside all weekend, traveling between buildings and enjoying all that Camp Courage has to offer 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 55358.
There are basketball courts and volleyball court (Lakeside only) – feel free to bring your own balls or use Camp Courage’s supplies. Fishing is TBD – they are going to try to keep the fishing dock out but it’s weather dependent. Please bring your own supplies.
There is a mini golf course on Woodland campus with clubs & balls available. There are also some swings nearby.
The indoor pool & splashpad will only be open during certain parts of the day on Saturday. It’s likely we will reach capacity for fire code – needless to say, expect the pool and splash pad to be crowded with limited seating. Life jackets are available to borrow. We will have 3 lifeguards on duty.
Camp Odayin Merchandise
We are not selling Family Camp shirts this year. Instead, consider visiting our merch table in the Rec Center during Free Time to shop at the Odayin Store. Cash, Venmo and credit cards are accepted. Check out what we have to offer here.
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 Maple Lake, MN if needed. Note that any cardiologists and nurses joining us at camp are not “on duty” to hand out medications.
Travel Expense Support
If it would be beneficial to your family, we offer transportation support by reimbursing up to $200 for your travel costs. Contact Brooke at brooke@campodayin.org to learn more.
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.
