Camp Volunteers

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, Residential Camp and Virtual Camp in the summer, and Family Camp in October and November.

Apply to Volunteer

The volunteer staff application for cabin counselors, nurses and cardiologists is now available for Summer Residential Camp and Hearts@Home Virtual Camp!

At five days of Residential Camp, each cabin of 7-9 campers is staffed by two cabin counselors and a nurse. There are 2-3 cardiologists onsite at all times. Nurses distribute medications and provide first aid as needed. At both Residential Camp and Hearts@Home, all volunteers:

Encourage campers and serve as a positive role model
Participate in activities with campers
Build connections and have a ton of fun

Volunteer nurse applications will be accepted on a rolling basis within two weeks of submission. Session availability will be updated on the schedule below. If positions fill prior to the camp session deadlines, we will start a waitlist to volunteer and nurses are welcome to volunteer in the cabin counselor role.

The staff application deadline for summer camp is April 20th. If we are still in need of additional volunteers after that date, the application will remain open and we will fill positions on a rolling basis until fully staffed.

Apply to Volunteer at Camp!

“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

Summer Camp and Staff Training Dates

Residential Camp in Crosslake, MN
– Wednesday, June 21- Sunday, June 25 (Chippewa: grades 1-6)
– Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14 (Flambeau: grades 6-8)
– Monday, July 17 – Friday, July 21 (Namekagon: grades 9-11)
The day before each session of camp, there is a required staff training from 1:00-6:00 pm in St. Paul, MN for all nurses and counselors. On the morning of camp, staff are expected to ride the bus with campers from St. Paul to camp in Crosslake, MN.

Residential Camp in Elkhorn, WI
– Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28 (Nokasippi: grades 1-11)
Nurses and counselors are required to attend the staff training at Camp Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI from 3:00-8:00 pm on Sunday, July 23. Dinner will be served. We will spend the night at camp and camper check-in occurs on Monday morning. If sleeping at camp on Sunday night does not fit in your schedule, we can accommodate.

Hearts@Home Virtual Camp on Zoom
– Friday, August 18 – Saturday, August 19 (grades 1-11)
August 18: 6-8pm CT and August 19: 8:30-10am, 12:30-2:30pm, 6-8pm CT
Staff are required to attend training on Zoom on Wednesday, August 16 from 5:00*-8:00 pm (CST). *5:00-6:00 is only required for volunteers who are new to Camp Odayin staff. All staff must be in attendance from 6:00-8:00.

Volunteer Requirements

20 years of age or older (by the 1st day of camp)
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 skills, maturity, patience, and a desire to make a difference
Have the enthusiasm and endurance required to supervise campers at all times, but we do have rest hour!
Love young people with special hearts

Help Us Spread the Word

Do you know someone who would be a wonderful addition to our summer camp staff as a camp nurse or cabin counselor? We are excited to receive applications from a broad spectrum of individuals and would appreciate your help.

Receive a $25 Odayin store credit for each (up to four) accepted volunteer who indicates on their application that they heard about Camp Odayin from YOU! The new staff member receives a $25 voucher too!

Please download our ‘volunteers needed’ flyer then pin it up in the student union, post on social media, blast out an email, send by carrier pigeon, put it anywhere awesome, fun people will see it! Feel free to contact alison@campodayin.org with questions or recruiting suggestions!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FLYER

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Cabin Counselor (Summer & Winter Camp)

Live in a cabin and supervise a group of 7-9 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
Enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of each camper assigned to you – our heart heroes ROCK
Ride the bus to/from camp with your campers (not applicable to Wisconsin Residential Camp) and sing “The Wheels on the Bus” for the entire trip

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 7-9 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 and choose candy or a health evening snack
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

Hearts@Home Virtual Camp Volunteer

Commit to 4-5 hours of time online in big and small “cabin” groups over the course of 2-3 days of virtual camp
Attend all virtual meetings in their entirety
Work with a co-counselor to lead activities and supervise our wonderful campers
Engage campers online with energy and excitement – wigs welcomed
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
Comfortable using technology and a working knowledge of video conferencing software/Zoom
Free, loaned iPads are available to volunteers who have unreliable or no internet connection and/or do not have their own tablet or computer

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.

What COVID-19 precautions occur at camp?

COVID-19 vaccinations are strongly recommended, but not required to attend 2023 summer camp programs. Precautions, masking, and testing requirements are decided and communicated prior to each different camp session.

Is there travel support available to volunteers traveling from out of town?

We offer transportation reimbursement of up to $300 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 volunteer applications are available on our website and emailed to interested volunteers in December. The acceptance process is rolling until all positions are filled.

Summer Camp (Residential Camp and Hearts@Home) volunteer applications are available on our website and emailed to interested volunteers late February and the application deadline is April 20, 2023. Nurses and cardiologists are accepted on a rolling basis. Cabin counselors are interviewed in late April and will receive acceptance details on May 5th.

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.