Camp Odayin

Camp Odayin is a unique nonprofit camp designed specifically for children and teens living with congenital or acquired heart disease. Serving families throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and beyond, the organization's mission is simple but powerful: to give young people with heart conditions a place where they can just be kids. Through medically supervised overnight camps, campers connect with peers who understand their experiences while enjoying all the fun and adventure of a traditional summer camp.

‍Summer Camp is available for children in grades 1–11, and takes place at beautiful camp facilities in Crosslake, Minnesota, and Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Campers participate in classic activities such as swimming, boating, arts and crafts, horseback riding, archery, nature exploration, sports, campfires, talent shows, and waterfront adventures. What makes Odayin different is its extensive medical support: pediatric cardiologists, nurses, and trained counselors are on-site throughout the week, allowing campers to safely enjoy experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach. The camp is designed to help children build confidence, independence, and friendships while knowing their health needs are fully supported.

Beyond summer camp, Camp Odayin offers year-round programming for the entire "heart family." These programs include Family Camp weekends, Winter Camp, Moms Retreats, Dads Days, and alumni events that help families build lasting connections with others navigating similar medical journeys. The organization's focus on belonging and community is a recurring theme throughout its programs, creating a supportive environment where children, siblings, and parents can find understanding, encouragement, and lifelong friendships.

For families of children with heart disease, Camp Odayin offers something rare: a camp experience where medical needs are seamlessly integrated into the fun. Rather than being defined by their diagnosis, campers are encouraged to try new things, gain independence, and experience the joy of summer camp alongside peers who truly "get it."

Year-round

‍Summer Camp
June 22 - Aug 7, 2026

Administrative Office
3503 High Point Drive North, Suite 250

Oakdale, MN 55128

Camps hosted throughout 8 locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, see more details here.

There is a $50 registration fee per camper.

Their "pay-what-you-can" model for camp registrations supports their commitment to make their programs accessible to everyone in the community. It costs Odayin $1,000 per camper for 1 week of summer camp and they ask families to pay what they can toward that cost. There will always remain an option to pay $0.

‍If it would be beneficial to your family, they offer transportation support by reimbursing up to $200 for your travel costs. Contact Brooke at brooke@campodayin.org to learn more.

Programs can be registered for online here.

651-351-9185

info@campodayin.org

What Parents Like‍

• Parents repeatedly mention that Camp Odayin gives their children something many have never experienced before: a chance to be surrounded by other kids living with heart conditions. Families describe the camp as a place where children feel understood, accepted, and no longer alone in their experiences. (1, 2)
• Many families report significant boosts in confidence and independence after camp. Parents note that their children return home more self-assured, willing to try new things, and more comfortable talking about their heart condition. (1, 3)
• Families consistently praise the sense of community created by Camp Odayin. Parents often describe finding a "heart family"—a network of other families who understand the challenges of raising a child with congenital or acquired heart disease. (2, 4)
• Parents appreciate the camp's strong medical support and report feeling comfortable sending children to overnight camp because of the presence of pediatric cardiologists, nurses, and trained volunteers. One parent described feeling that their child was "probably safer at camp than at home." (1.5)
• Families frequently highlight the friendships their children develop at camp. Many describe campers maintaining relationships long after the summer ends and finding mentors among older campers, counselors, and alumni who share similar medical experiences. (1, 5)

‍What Parents Think Could Be Improved‍

• Publicly available reviews are limited compared to larger traditional camps. Most parent feedback comes through testimonials, nonprofit impact reports, community articles, and support-group discussions rather than review platforms like Google, Yelp, or Niche.

‍Our Take

‍Camp Odayin stands out as much more than a summer camp—it's a community built specifically for children and families navigating life with heart disease. The strongest theme across parent feedback is belonging. Again and again, families describe the relief of finding a place where their children feel understood, accepted, and surrounded by peers who share similar experiences.

Parents consistently report increases in confidence, independence, and emotional well-being after camp, while also praising the medical support that allows children to participate safely in classic camp activities. For families of children with heart conditions, Camp Odayin appears to offer something rare: the opportunity for kids to simply enjoy being kids while building friendships and confidence in an environment designed with their needs in mind.