Odayin improves the quality of life and well-being of children with heart disease and their families. We are a place where kids can just be kids. We host fun, safe, and supportive camps and opportunities for all the members of a heart family to create connections.
In a typical year, over 700 campers from 15 different states or more attend our programs near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee, Chicago, and online. Most of our families live in MN, WI, IL, and IA.
New to Odayin?
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Camp programs at a glance:
Summer Camp allows campers in grades 1-11 to enjoy swimming, boating, arts and crafts, volleyball, horseback riding, nature, basketball, and music in a medically-supervised environment during a five day experience. There are three weeks of Summer Camp in Crosslake, MN and one week in Elkhorn, WI.
Family Camp is an opportunity for families of a child with heart disease age birth to 12th grade to come together for fun, education, support and camaraderie. Two Friday to Sunday sessions are hosted near Minneapolis/St. Paul in Amery, WI and near Milwaukee/Chicago in Camp Lake, WI.
Winter Camp offers campers in grades 1-12 the chance to connect and experience snowshoeing, broomball and sledding over a three-day weekend in Amery, WI.
Moms Retreat is a time for moms of heart heroes to gather for support, education and empowerment. The weekend retreat includes meals, lodging, optional spa and yoga activities and guest speakers in Stillwater, MN and Lake Geneva, WI.
Dads Day is a day of outdoor recreation, boating, and grilling in Prior Lake, MN with optional golf & overnight to build camaraderie and connection between dads of young people with heart disease.
What is summer camp like?
What does it cost?
We recognize that families of a child with heart disease manage additional emotional and economic stress. Our Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) model supports our commitment to make our programs accessible to everyone in our community. There is a $50 registration fee for camp and there is always an option to pay $0. In addition, we offer transportation support by reimbursing up to $200 in travel costs for each camp program attended.
What are the benefits of attending heart camp?
- Feel less alone & recognize the heart community around you
- Increase in confidence and independence
- Improved mental health and resilience
- Ability to try new things, unplug from phones, and connect with others
- Have fun and enjoy silly activities, games, talent shows and costumes
