Thank you so much for planning to volunteer at Winter Camp, February 15-17, 2025. Camp Odayin changes young people’s lives, thanks to people like YOU!
New information will be added to this webpage as camp approaches. 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.
Staff Acceptance
Staff Acceptance Form
Please complete the online staff acceptance form by January 15. Visit https://portal.campodayin.org to access your Odayin account. Sign in and scroll to the bottom of the Dashboard. (Don’t click on ‘Camp Volunteer Applications’, this will navigate you to complete a new application). On the main dashboard, you will see your ‘Volunteer Applications’. Find the application approved for ‘2025 Winter Camp’ and select the button to view and complete the acceptance.
NOTE: If you also applied for summer camp, you will see your approved summer camp session(s) listed with the same acceptance link. Only one acceptance form is required if you are volunteering during multiple sessions in 2025.
WI Temporary Nurse Licensure Form
Please submit the OUT OF STATE NURSE TEMPORARY CAMP PRACTICE NOTIFICATION FORM as soon as possible. It must be processed and approved by the nursing board of Wisconsin. Fill in the following information within the Camp Information section of the form. Camp Wapo is our host camp and they are a camp licensed under Wis. Stat. § 97.67(1) – so check YES to the question immediately following the Camp Information section.
CAMP INFORMATION:
CAMP NAME: Camp Wapo
FULL NAME OF CAMP CONTACT: Ryan Braaten
CAMP ADDRESS: 1204 74th Ave, Amery, WI 54001
CAMP CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: ryanb@campwapo.org
CAMP CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 715.268.8434
LIST DATES OF PRACTICE: February 15-17, 2025
Please email alison@campodayin.org to confirm when you’ve submitted your form to the WI Board.
Self-Guided Staff Videos & Manual
In addition to our staff training, staff must complete online requirements on your own time before February 13th. These training materials and instructions will be emailed (and posted on this webpage) during the last week of January at the latest.
Virtual Staff Training
ALL staff members must attend a virtual staff training of February 13th, which will cover general information, care for our campers, and policies & procedures.
- February 13: 6:00-8:30pm – Virtual Staff Training
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87916875207
- Meeting ID: 879 1687 5207
- Passcode: WC2025
Camp Transportation
We have heated coach buses reserved to take staff and campers to camp from Oakdale, MN and Milwaukee, WI. It is preferred that all staff members ride the bus from one of these locations. You can leave your car parked in the parking lot for the weekend. If riding the bus is an issue, please contact alison@campodayin.org to discuss.
- Camp Odayin Office Headquarters, 3503 High Point Drive North, Oakdale, MN 55128
- Greenfield Clinic-Children’s Wisconsin, 3365 S 103rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53227
On Monday, the buses will return to Oakdale by 1:30pm and to Milwaukee by 5:30pm.
First Morning of Camp – Feb 15
The start time for your camp volunteer experience will differ depending on your role and location. Please reach out to alison@campodayin.org with any questions.
- 7:00am – Staff check-in for bus in Milwaukee, WI
- 9:00am – Staff check-in for bus in Oakdale, MN
Transportation from Oakdale, MN
The majority of staff will arrive at 9:00am and attend camper check-in at the Odayin HQ in Oakdale, MN (3503 High Point Drive North, Oakdale, MN 55128 – 4Front Office & Technology Campus). We will meet in Building 4, which is the largest building with the main entrance to the campus. (Building #4 has 4 stories, building #3 has 3 stories, etc.)
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 throughout the Midwest. 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 Winter Camp, campers are divided into cabins with 6-8 campers with 2 counselors and a nurse. In addition, you and your cabin group will be supported by an awesome camp program team and Winter Camp Director Brooke Hohag. Lead Nurse Meghan LaVelle and Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Derek Opp will be present to ensure that staff and campers are medically supported.
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 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
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 or friends need to reach you during Winter Camp, they can call the Camp Odayin cell phone at 651.491.8673.
We post daily pictures for your family and friends to enjoy. There will be photo album links on the Camp Odayin webpage.
What to Bring to Camp
Plan to pack lots of warm clothes for the weekend – we will do our best to spend lots of time outside! (Check the forecast at www.weather.com and enter zip 54001) Please clearly label all items including luggage, bedding and clothing, as Camp Odayin is not responsible for lost items. Thank you!
- Alarm clock – do not plan to use your cell phone as an alarm
- Water bottle (Camp Odayin will not be providing)
- Warm winter coat
- Snow pants
- Hat, scarf, gloves (maybe bring an extra for a forgetful camper)
- Winter boots and one pair of indoor shoes
- All medicine in a labeled Ziploc bag
- Warm shirts and/or sweaters
- Two pairs of jeans or long pants
- Plenty of socks & undergarments
- PJs & slippers
- Sleeping bag & pillow
- Bath towel
- Toiletries
- Flashlight
Optional items to bring: camera, journal, book, reading light, earplugs, flashlight, decorations for your cabin, travel coffee mug (if you want more coffee than what you consume at meals).
Please do not bring gum, mp3 players, smart watches, money, 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 silly activities, crazy meals, and goofy evening programs. Campers love to see their counselors, doctors and nurses dressed up and having a good time.
In late-January, we will email you a list of fun list of themed costume items to pack. The list will also be posted on this webpage. Please try to bring some special items for these events. Check the closet, visit your local thrift store, and hit the garage sales (don’t spend $$$$ – this is camp and things can get dirty…).
Camp Wapo
Our Winter Camp session is located at Camp Wapo, which is situated on a 22 acre peninsula between Lake Wapogasset and Bear Trap Lake near Amery, WI. Approximately an hour and a half from Minneapolis, we also host Family Camp at Wapo in October each year.
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 only $25 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.
