CAMP ODAYIN

Camp Odayin's board has identified the following key organizational goals:

• Ensure that campers participate in all programs for a minimal fee of only $25. Though this fee may be waived depending on the camper's situation;

• Provide a safe space for children with heart disease to build community and develop confidence;

• Aide families impacted by childhood heart disease and help them to create networks of support;

• Establish and maintain a full, highly qualified and well trained volunteer camp staff with a high return rate from season to season for all programs;

• Foster a safe environment, where children and families can learn about themselves, each other and their community; and

• Increase the visibility of Camp Odayin in the cardiac community, particularly in Wisconsin and Illinois where expansion is taking place.

Camp Odayin enables children with heart disease to put aside their worries and enjoy a week away at camp, participating and enjoying activities just as their healthy peers would. Additionally, parents and caregivers enjoy a much-needed week of respite with the knowledge that their 'heart' child is well cared for and in a safe environment. The American Heart Association has long linked pediatric heart disease with mental and emotional health issues such as anxiety, depression and stress.

Children refresh at camp, surrounded by others who understand their challenges, instilling a deep sense of belonging and fostering self-esteem. The 'power of belonging' deeply impacts our participants as camp experiences and activities support healthy emotional and mental growth.

Camp Odayin is supported by a dedicated staff of volunteer nurses, cardiologists, and cabin counselors who provide for the emotional and medical needs of children with heart disease.

The cost to attend any Camp Odayin program is $25 per person, or whatever a family chooses to pay. Payment options within the registration start at $0 per person to ensure that cost is not a barrier to joining us. As a nonprofit organization, Camp Odayin raises funds from individual donors, corporations, foundations and fundraisers each year.

Since 2001, the Camp Odayin mission and programs have stimulated corporate and individual relationships to ensure organizational security. Camp Odayin is now a mature nonprofit with a proven track record of successful programming. We consistently provide a safe environment for our children and families to learn about themselves, each other, and their communities. We have met all of the Charities Review Council's Accountability Standards, demonstrating our commitment to responsibility and transparency. Public trust is important to us and when it comes to charitable giving, we want people to know Camp Odayin is a financially responsible and trustworthy organization. In everything we do, we strive to pursue our mission, maintain the camp's quality and accessibility, and prepare for the future.

Camp Odayin has a small, focused year-round staff of one part-time and four full-time employees, along with a contingent of contract staff who provide support during peak program times. The Executive Director, Sara Meslow, is also the founder of the organization. The Assistant Director, Alison Boerner and the Finance Director, Matt Olson, have both been on staff since 2007. Kris Lukkarila joined as Office Manager in 2017 and Brooke Hohag, previous Residential Camp Co-Director, started as the year round Program Director in 2019. In the summer, the staff also includes a Summer Camp Leadership Team, a Nursing Director and a Medical Director in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

All of our camp programs are staffed by volunteers, many of whom have cardiovascular disease themselves. Generous individuals volunteer to support camp programs as counselors, nurses, cardiologists or program leaders. In addition, there are volunteers who assist Camp Odayin throughout the year with our fundraisers, support events, and camp preparation. As a small year-round staff, we rely heavily on the efforts of volunteers.

Our Board of Directors represents the diverse network of medical, business, and private partnerships required to support the full set of programs Camp Odayin offers. We are proud to have such a strong set of community leaders providing direction and support.

Camp Odayin has experienced consistent programmatic growth since the inception of the organization. In response to this growth, our Board of Directors approved key strategic expansions. In 2014, Camp Odayin expanded the existing Family Camp program from one location in Amery, Wisconsin which is close in proximity to the Twin Cities, to a second location in Camp Lake, Wisconsin. This additional location primarily serves families from the metro Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee areas. In 2019, these two Family Camp locations served 114 families combined, affirming the decision to expand the program.

The Residential Camp program, has also experienced consistent growth. This growth, coupled with Family Camp's successful expansion to the Chicago/Milwaukee area, led our Board to approve another expansion. In 2017, Camp Odayin began offering Residential Camp in Wisconsin for children from Wisconsin and Illinois and neighboring states. The first year of Residential Camp in Wisconsin served 61 campers, followed by an increase to 81 campers in 2018, and 102 campers in 2019.

Started in 2018, the Moms Retreat is the newest program offered by Camp Odayin. The Moms Retreat is a time for moms of young people with heart disease to connect for support, education and empowerment. The Saturday to Sunday retreat includes meals, lodging, optional spa and yoga activities, and fabulous guest speakers. In 2019, the second annual retreat was attended by 62 grateful mothers.

In 2020, due to the pandemic, summer campers experienced Hearts@Home Virtual Camp rather than our Residential Camp program. Through Hearts@Home, we served 177 children from 15 different states. During the fall, 53 families experienced Camp Odayin's virtual Family Camp. Although camp looked different in 2020, we successfully achieved our goals of safety, connection, community, and accessibility.