Camp volunteers create memories and friendships with amazing campers and volunteers! They experience the joy of providing kids with heart disease a sense of belonging and receive training, personal growth, and experience mentoring youth.
Throughout the year, exceptional volunteers support and guide our campers as volunteer nurses, cabin counselors, and cardiologists at camp. We welcome volunteers at Winter Camp in February, Summer Camp in the summer, and Family Camp in October and November.
Please contact Alison at alison@campodayin.org or 651-351-9185 with any questions.
2025 Winter & Summer Camp
The volunteer staff application is available for Winter Camp AND Summer Camp!
You can apply for one or both camp seasons in a single application.
- Winter Camp Application Deadline: January 15
- Summer Camp Application Deadline: April 15
Nurses & Returning Counselors
Volunteer nurses and returning camp counselors are not required to interview and will be accepted on a rolling basis within two weeks of applying. First come, first served. Position availability for each camp session will be updated on the application and the camp volunteer webpage.
New Cabin Counselors
We’re eager to get to know you! New counselors will be contacted via email shortly after applying in order to schedule a Zoom interview time.
We are eager to welcome people who are excited to create a camp experience where young people with heart disease can just be kids!
Dates, Locations, and Staff Training
- February 15-17 (President’s Day Weekend) for grades 1-12
All nurses and camp counselors must attend a virtual staff training on February 13th from 6-8:30pm CT. Transportation to/from Winter Camp is provided between camp and both Oakdale, MN and Milwaukee, WI.
- June 23-27 for grades 1-11 (Nokasippi)
All WI camp counselors and nurses are required to attend the staff training at Camp Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI on Sunday, June 22nd. Volunteers are invited to spend the night at camp, then campers arrive on Monday morning.
- July 14-18 for grades 1-6 (Chippewa)
- July 21-25 for grades 9-11 (Namekagon)
- July 28-August 1 for grades 6-8 (Flambeau)
All MN camp counselors and nurses are required to attend staff training in Oakdale, MN on the Sunday prior to the start of their camp session. On the first morning of camp, transportation is provided from Oakdale, MN to camp in Crosslake, MN.
Please contact Alison at alison@campodayin.org or 651-351-9185 with any questions.
“Camp Odayin has been such a huge part of my life. As a former camper for five summers who is now a counselor, I want to show the next generation of heart patients that they are not alone by introducing them to the Camp Odayin family.”
Allie, Volunteer Cabin Counselor
Volunteer Requirements
- 20 years of age or older by the 1st day of camp (or 23 years of age or older to volunteer at the Namekagon session in MN)
- Complete an application, interview, provide references (not your mom), and background check authorization
- Attend a dynamic staff training for all sessions for which you are volunteering
- Believe in creating inclusive, welcoming settings for all
- Find joy in working with youth
- Possess good communication & problem solving skills, maturity, patience, and a desire to make a difference
- Lead with empathy and understanding of the unique emotional needs of children who have experienced trauma
- Have the enthusiasm, strength and endurance required to supervise campers at all times, but we do have rest hour!
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and to adapt quickly to changing situations.
- Ability to work outdoors, participate in physical activities and (lots of) walking, and capacity to manage long hours.
- Enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of each camper assigned to you – our heart heroes ROCK
Volunteer Job Descriptions
Cabin Counselor (Summer & Winter Camp)
- Live in a cabin and supervise a group of 7-11 campers of a similar age
- Monitor the daily health and safety of each camper assigned
- Carry out camp programs and participate in all camp activities with a joyful heart
- Assess appropriateness of camper behavior and apply appropriate behavior modification techniques
- Enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures
- Promote a sense of unity while addressing individual needs of each camper, encourage friendships and positive interactions among campers
- Enhance the self-esteem of each camper by encouraging and guiding them to participate successfully in all aspects of camp activities
- Ride the bus to/from camp with your campers (not applicable to Wisconsin Residential Camp)
Cabin Nurse (Summer & Winter Camp)
- Volunteer nurses must have current nursing license (LPN, RN, or NP), but work experience does not need to be cardiac specific – we’ll train you on heart stuff
- Depending on the state you’re are licensed in and the location of the camp you’re attending, we will assist with obtaining a MN or WI license as needed
- Distribute all medications assigned to the 7-11 campers under your care
- Provide first aid and emergency responses as needed
- Communicate all medical concerns with Nursing and/or Medical Director
- Maintain log of all camper medical concerns in the health center
- Participate in and assist with camp activities as needed
- Work as a team with 2-3 counselors to supervise campers and support campers’ needs
- Support the Nursing Director in the health center if needed
- Attend all staff meetings while at camp
- Ride the bus to/from camp with your campers (not applicable to Wisconsin Residential Camp)
Camp Cardiologist (Summer & Winter Camp)
- Must be a pediatric cardiologist with a current MD or DO license
- Depending on the state you’re are licensed in and the location of the camp you’re attending, we will assist with obtaining a MN or WI license as needed
- Provide first aid and emergency responses as needed
- Be on call for any medical emergencies
- Support the Lead Nurse in the health center
- Meet with Camp Odayin leadership each day to address camper / safety issues
- Jump into camp activities with your whole heart
Family Camp Volunteer
Family Camp volunteers who attend all weekend:
- Stay overnight at camp, ideally from 2:00pm on Friday until noon on Sunday
- Assist with welcoming and checking in families
- Support family-centered and fun programming as activity leaders
- Embrace the theme of the weekend with campy silliness, costumes, antics and more
- Are responsible for a small group of children during two hours of facilitated kid-time programming
- Opt into tasks such as hosting the bonfire with s’mores (sampling encouraged), leading camp songs at meals, and assisting with the Sunday morning talent show
We also welcome short-term volunteers to work with children during kid-time on Saturday afternoon.
Volunteer FAQs
What training and support is available to camp volunteers?
Camp volunteers receive resources and training, including:
- Medical orientation to support children with heart disease
- Strategies for listening to kids effectively, managing challenging behaviors, and encouraging personal growth
- Methods for fostering diversity acceptance and inclusion
- An introduction to individuals who will support you during the volunteer experience
* No medical knowledge or experience is needed to volunteer as a cabin counselor. At Winter and Summer Camp, there are cardiologists onsite at all times and a cabin nurse is assigned to each cabin of campers.
Do I need medical experience or cardiac knowledge to volunteer?
No medical knowledge or experience is needed to volunteer as a camp counselor. At Winter and Summer Camp, there are two cardiologists onsite at all times and a nurse is assigned to each cabin of campers.
Volunteer nurses must have current nursing license (LPN, RN, or NP), but work experience does not need to be cardiac specific.
I am related to a heart hero, can I volunteer while they attend Camp Odayin as a camper?
In order to foster independence, we do not permit family members of Odayin campers to volunteer during a camp session when their relative will be a camper. We welcome family members of campers to apply and attend during a different session.
Is there travel support available to volunteers traveling from out of town?
We offer transportation reimbursement of up to $200 to accepted camp volunteers for gas, hotel/accommodations, airfare, etc. Contact brooke@campodayin.org for details on the travel cost reimbursement process.
What is the camp volunteer application process?
In addition to the application, interested volunteers are interviewed and must provide three references and background check authorization.
Winter Camp and Summer Camp volunteer applications are available on our website in December. Nurses and cardiologists are accepted on a rolling basis. Cabin counselors are interviewed prior to acceptance. Deadlines for applications are January 15th for Winter Camp or April 15th for Summer Camp or until all positions are filled.
Please email alison@campodayin.org to receive upcoming volunteer applications and opportunities. Follow us on social media for additional ways to engage!
Please email alison@campodayin.org for information or to be added to our email list to receive camp volunteer applications and opportunities.
Our priority is to attract, develop, and retain a diverse volunteer staff that represents and supports our amazing campers. Camp Odayin welcomes people of any race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
