CAMP ODAYIN
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Mission Statement
Camp Odayin provides safe and supportive camp experiences and community building opportunities for young people with heart disease and their families. Our work is based on a holistic approach to healing hearts. We desire to nurture and develop independence, confidence, and acceptance throughout our campers’ lives. We value community among our heart family and place an emphasis on having fun and celebrating life!
About This Cause
According to the March of Dimes, congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect in America. Each year, approximately 40,000 American babies – nearly one out of 100 – are born with cardiovascular defects. In Minnesota, two babies are born with a heart defect each day. These children embark on a lifelong journey that typically reflects a quality of life that is lower than their healthy peers. The majority of experiences related to a cardiac diagnosis are negative – hospitalizations, physical limitations, medications, and a sense of being different. Camp Odayin strives to be one positive opportunity available to children because of their heart disease. At camp, surrounded by young people with similar life experiences, they’re no longer different, and they learn they’re not alone. Following her sixth summer of camp, a 16 year old camper shared, “I love going to camp. I look forward to it all year, starting right when I get on the plane to go home. It's amazing to be around kids that know exactly what you went through and exactly how you felt; it's a lot easier than constantly having to explain every detail.” Caring for a child with heart disease requires extensive financial resources both in and out of the hospital. Camp Odayin recognizes that families experiencing chronic illness must manage additional emotional and economic stress. In order to alleviate the financial burden, we provide each of our camp experiences for only $25 per camper. For most of our campers, Camp Odayin is the only chance they have to participate in a camp program, try new things, and be among other kids who understand the struggles and challenges they have faced in life. “What a week for Logan!! There simply are not enough words to convey the gratitude we have for the experience Camp Odayin provided Logan. This is a boy who doctors doubted would make it to this world, let alone turn one, then five, then ten, and now eleven AND able to go away on his own to camp. But he did it with the help of this wonderful organization that cares for kids like him and so many others. Thank you for allowing him the opportunity, for protecting and caring for him at all times, for helping him feel safe when he was scared and for encouraging him to have fun. After his week at Residential Camp, Logan said, ‘Camp Odayin is the best thing I’ve done in my life so far.’ We would agree. Thank you.” – Parent of a camper For many children, camp is fun and memorable. For a child who has never met another young person with heart disease, Camp Odayin is life changing. By connecting with young people who share similar health, emotional and social concerns, campers like Logan learn they are not alone. At Camp Odayin they experience the power of belonging among kindred friends.