Thank you so much for planning to volunteer at Summer Camp in Wisconsin. Camp Odayin changes young people’s lives, thanks to people like YOU!
Please feel free to contact alison@campodayin.org with questions! We’re happy to provide any information that will help you feel excited, welcomed, and prepared for camp.
View 2025 Nokasippi Photo Album
Camp Dates
Monday, June 23, 8:00am – Friday, June 27, 4:30pm
Breakfast will be provided at Lutherdale prior to camper check-in on Monday morning.
After camper check-out on June 27, there will be an optional staff celebration near Lutherdale.
Self-Guided Staff Training
Prior to our in-person training, you must read the staff manual and complete the self-guided pre-training videos on your own time. Nurses and doctors also need to read the Medical and Leadership Staff Manual.
- Training Videos – We suggest setting aside 45 minutes to an hour to complete the training videos. When you visit the links below, you will be prompted to create an EdPuzzle account, if you haven’t done so already. This is required to view the pre-training videos. During the training videos, it will pause several times to recap and ask you questions. You will not be able to skip or fast forward through the video to answer these questions, however, they can be paused at any time to complete at a later date.
- ALL STAFF must complete the assignments at this link: https://edpuzzle.com/join/ficpaas
- Former Odayin campers, please also complete the assignment at this link: https://edpuzzle.com/join/kikkorl
- All Staff Manual – Read the 2025 Nokasippi Staff Manual
- Nurses & Doctors ONLY – Read the Medical & Leadership Manual
In-Person Staff Training
Sunday, June 22 – 1:00-8:00pm
Nurses and counselors are required to attend the staff training onsite at Lutherdale (N7891 US Highway 12, Elkhorn, WI 53121). Doctors are welcome, but not required to attend.
Dinner will be served. Plan to spend the night at camp and get settled into your cabin before camper check-in occurs on Monday morning. If sleeping at camp on Sunday night does not fit in your schedule, we can accommodate. We are also in need of volunteers to ride the camper bus from Milwaukee, WI and Burr Ridge, IL on Monday morning. If that is something you are able to do, contact us as well.
Travel Scholarship
Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to offer travel support for staff and campers would benefit from up to a $200 reimbursement for your travel costs (hotel, flight, gas, etc). Contact the Camp Odayin office at brooke@campodayin.org for pre-approval and more information.
Our Campers
We will be serving campers from all over the United States. All of our campers have a history of heart disease and have been cleared by their cardiologist to attend camp. We adapt the camp experience so that everyone may participate regardless of the severity of their condition, at their own comfort level. However, there will be some campers who require some extra attention or assistance. Nurses assigned to each cabin will inform counselors of additional needs, distribute medications, and monitor the medical conditions of each camper. At staff training, you will be given specific information and instructions regarding the health and safety of each camper in your cabin group.
Cabin Groups
At Summer Camp, campers are divided into cabins with 7-11 campers with two counselors and a nurse. Throughout the week, you will be supported by Camp Directors Kelsey Sohrweide and Carrie Gott, Lead Nurse Suzie Zobrist, and four cardiologists, including WI Medical Director, Dr. Sara Creighton. In addition, our host site, Lutherdale, has seasonal staff who provide support as well.
Medical Details
In order to comply with our American Camp Association accreditation, we ask for details related to your health history on the acceptance form. This medical information is confidential, very important in case of an emergency, and not retained year to year for returning staff.
All staff medication must be turned into the Lead Nurse, Suzie, at camper registration on the first day. Our policy is that all camper and staff medications are to be stored and locked in the Health Center and cannot be kept in the cabins. This includes vitamins, supplements, and over the counter medicine such as Advil, Sudafed, etc. When you need your medicine, you may retrieve it from the Health Center at any time.
Cell Phones & Mail
You may certainly bring your cell phone to camp, but we maintain a strict policy regarding usage that is covered at staff training. Cell phones are not to be used in front of campers (including picture taking, music, or internet searches). Your cell phone needs to remain off and in your luggage at all times. Texting and calls distract from the camp experience and campers are not permitted to have phones or smart devices at camp at all. Thank you for following this request!
If your family needs to reach you during Summer Camp, they can call the Camp Odayin cell phone at 747-263-2946 (747-2-ODAYIN).
If anyone wants to send you a letter while you’re at camp, here’s the address (no packages, please):
Your Name
Camp Odayin at Lutherdale
N7891 US Highway 12
Elkhorn, WI 53121
In addition, family members and friends can send a one-way electronic message to you through our partnership with BUNK NOTES. The service is directed at parents of campers, but your family and friends can follow the steps below to access or create an account and purchase Bunk Note credits. They will be prompted to select a bundle. Bundles include credits for you to send Bunk Notes and enhance your notes with borders, photos, sports scores, and puzzles. The messages are printed and delivered to campers and staff during lunch each day.
- Visit Bunk1.com
- RETURNING USERS will login using their email address and password from the previous year.
- NEW USERS will click “New Here? Get Started” button and complete the basic form.
- The Invitation Code for Camp Odayin is: 25ODAY
Finally, we post daily pictures for your family and friends to enjoy. There will be photo album links on the Camp Odayin webpages for each summer camp session.
What to Bring to Camp
Please clearly label all items – including luggage, bedding and clothing, as Camp Odayin is not responsible for lost items.
- swimsuit (camp appropriate) and beach towel
- water shoes or beach sandals
- tennis shoes (closed toe)
- a hat (crazy or practical)
- outfits / costumes for special themes (emailed in June)
- sunscreen (lip and body)
- plastic bag for dirty / wet clothes
- 3-4 pairs of shorts
- 4-5 T-shirts – one long sleeved
- 2 pairs of jeans or long pants
- sweatshirt or sweater (1-2)
- rain jacket or windbreaker
- toiletries & bath towel / washcloth
- plenty of socks and undergarments
- sleeping bag and/or twin-size sheets and blanket, pillow, pajamas
- watch / alarm clock (no smart watches at camp)
- an OLD outfit you could even throw away after camp (grubby t-shirt and shorts)
Optional items to bring: camera, journal, flashlight, decorations for your cabin, travel coffee mug (if you’ll want more coffee than what you can consume at meals).
There will be a talent show! Feel free to bring anything that might help your cabin showcase their talents.
You are welcome to pack snacks for your free time apart from your campers/cabin. We suggest small, easily packed, non-perishable items, like protein bars, fruit, soda, cold brew, etc. PLEASE LABEL YOUR STUFF. We will collect your stash before the campers arrive for check in and store them in the kitchenette/lounge area in the Hope Center. We ask that you respect that your food/drinks are NOT allowed in the cabins and are NOT to be shared with the campers (or revealed to them, either). Please enjoy your snacks/drinks in the Hope Center or during your off time away from campers.
Please do not bring mp3 players, smart watches, or valuables to camp. We ask this of the campers as well.
Themed Packing List
One of our main goals at camp is to provide a FUN experience for our campers. One of the ways we do this is through many silly activities, crazy meals, and goofy evening programs. Campers love to see their counselors, doctors, and nurses dressed up and having a good time. Check the closet, visit your local thrift store, and hit the garage sales (don’t spend $$$$ – this is camp and things can get dirty).
- PJs to wear to a meal
- White t-shirt that can be decorated
- Sunglasses (practical, crazy, fun…be creative!)
- Sports jersey/t-shirt
- Outfit that can get really messy
- Superhero attire (think t-shirt, mask, cape, etc.)
- Dressy outfit
- Reminder- there will be a talent show! Please be sure to bring anything you might need to help you or your cabin showcase your talents.
Lutherdale
Our Wisconsin Summer Camp is hosted at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI on beautiful spring fed Lauderdale Lakes. Lutherdale is located 45 miles from Milwaukee, 60 miles from Madison and 70 miles from Chicago.
Employer Match
Many companies and organizations will support your volunteer efforts with a monetary donation to Camp Odayin! Please check with your employer and see if they will match your volunteer hours. In order for us to continually provide this camp experience for $50 per camper, we rely on the generosity of many individuals, foundations and businesses. Thank you in advance for helping to grow our family of givers.
