THE BEAT NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF CAMP ODAYIN 2013

Breaking News Camp Odayin has been getting some good press! Nursing Director,

Charlotte Lilla, hit prime time this spring with a crew of campers

promoting the Have a Heart Benefit on KARE 11. This summer,

Residential Camp went to print. A reporter and photographer from

local newspaper, The Brainerd Dispatch, spent a day with Flambeau

campers. A little high profile help from Iowa landed camp a Sunday

feature in The Ames Tribune. Former Minnesota Timberwolves

player and current Iowa State men’s basketball coach, Fred Hoiberg

was accompanied by a reporter on his annual visit to camp during the

Nokasippi session. Visit www.campodayin.org to ‘read all about it’.

A Healthy Dose of Healing

This summer’s camps were staffed by 95 incredible volunteers, over one-third of whom were doctors and nurses.

Members of our medical staff often share that they love to see their patients enjoying life, swimming, and laughing

at camp. As for the campers, there’s nothing funnier than seeing your cardiologist wrapped in tin foil for “time

travel night”. We’re thankful that these skilled medical minds acknowledge that camp plays a part in healing hearts.

For kids with heart disease, hospital visits are inevitable, but we hope five days of fun at Camp Odayin is part of

the treatment plan. Friends made while being silly at camp often provide support during future surgeries. Camp also

reunites children who’ve met due to serious situations at the hospital. At Flambeau camper drop off, two parents

realized that their girls were in the hospital at the same time as infants. On Friday, they shared a photo of the

girls side by side in strollers...no doubt thankful for the different circumstances that brought them back together.

Flambeau - ages 14-15

“I love it because (at Camp Odayin) everyone is on level ground. There aren’t cliques.

There aren’t the jocks, the nerds...we’re all the same. It’s not like that at school.”

Nokasippi - ages 12-13 “Words can’t describe how valuable it is to

provide our daughter with the opportunity to see that

other kids have shared her experience and that she’s not the only one

she knows with surgical scars and a pacemaker.”

Namekagon - ages 16-17 “For several years I gave my son the

option to attend Camp Odayin and each year he declined. This year, I told him he was going. Reluctantly he agreed and up until the day he left he ‘didn't

want to go’. After going anyway he had the best time of his life and wishes he would have gone when he was first

offered the chance!”

Chippewa - ages 8-11

Describe Camp Odayin in 3 words... “Camp is epic, fun, and awesome.”

Gitche Gumee Day Camp - ages 6-7 “Thank you so much for allowing

our son to be part of this very wonderful experience! He will

always remember Day Camp and will be looking forward to going

again. It truly brought many smiles to his heart! He’s shared all that he did with many people and says that it was one of his favorite things he has done this

summer! ”

Little Lady in Red

Did you know? Due to advancements in surgical treatments, there are

currently more adults than children living with congenital

heart disease. In the United States, there are

approximately 1.3 million adult survivors. This number is

increasing about 5% annually. Therefore, adult-specific

healthcare and support is in very high demand. According

to the Adult Congenital Heart Association, “Although

there are more than 3,000 pediatric cardiologists

nationwide, there are currently no more than 100

specially trained ACHD cardiologists”. While the medical

need is great, these patients also have unique emotional

concerns and stressors. At Camp Odayin we see the

positive impact that support and emotional connection

has on children. Eventually, campers grow up into adults!

That need for belonging doesn’t dissipate at age 18. Camp

Odayin wants to continue to be a source of support for

young adults. Former campers - stay tuned and stay in

touch; we’re creating something just for you!

Thank You! Camp Odayin gratefully thanks the following

companies, foundations, and fundraisers for their

recent generous support...

Back in Shape Chiropractic

Bobby and Steve’s Auto World

BP Fabric of America Fund

Buffalo Wild Wings of Westland, MI

Caroline’s Kids Foundation ♥ Eagles Club, Number 94

Finish Line Youth Foundation ♥ Kinney Family Foundation

Kyle Rymiszewski Foundation

Liberty Diversified International

Lift Bridge Brewing Company ♥ Merjent, Inc.

Midwest Medical Insurance Holding Company

Minnesota Wild 50/50 Raffle

Norwalk Family Dentistry ♥ RBC Foundation

Reuben & Rose Mattus and Doris & Kevin Hurley Foundation

RSP Architects

Team Strong Heart / Silent Sports Foundation

Transit Tec, Inc.

Amazing April After six years as an office of three,

we welcomed a new staff member this

spring. April DeJarlais took on the

massive task of processing 263

camper applications and has been an

amazing support during our busiest

time of year. April will be attending

the University of Minnesota this fall

to pursue her Master’s degree in

mental health counseling. Thankfully,

she plans to continue to be part of

our ‘heart family’. April has had two

corrective surgeries for Tetralogy of

Fallot and is eager to be involved in

developing a Camp Odayin program for

young adults with heart disease.

Heart & Sole Fun Run As a camp, it’s probably safe to say that

our favorite season is summer. Soaking up

sunshine lakeside is an adored Minnesota

tradition. Add dear friends and it’s the

highlight of the year…ask any Odayin

camper. We’re refusing to let summer off

the hook without one more gathering of

Camp Odayin friends and families by the

lake! Join us and Dez of KS95 at the

Heart & Sole Fun Run/Walk in St. Paul on

the final day of summer, Saturday

September 21st. To ensure you receive a

long sleeved event t-shirt, register at

www.campodayin.org/events by

September 6th.

Camp Odayin was proud to be

represented by seven year old

day camper, Erin, at The Red

Dress Collection. The

MNFashion event pairs local

designers with local

celebrities for a runway show

benefiting the American Heart

Association’s Go Red for

Women program. Erin stole

the spotlight as the youngest

and most stunning model in the

show. We’re so impressed with

her confidence and grace!

Whole Heart Golf Tournament

A heartfelt thank you to our Have a Heart sponsors...

Presenting Sponsor:

4 Lakes Construction ♥ ACIST Medical Systems ♥ Boston Scientific

Children’s Country Day School ♥ The Children’s Heart Clinic

Jay Ettinger Realty ♥ Ron & Phyllis Ettinger ♥ flaunt this. ♥ FORT

Loffler ♥ Medtronic ♥ Minnesota Medical Foundation

Morrie’s Automotive Group ♥ New Horizon Academy

Pediatric Home Service ♥ Rice Lake Weighing Systems

St. Jude Medical ♥ Cassandra Stangler ♥ SurModics

Young Adult Heart Foundation

Media Partners: KARE 11 ♥ Minnesota Monthly

Have a Heart Benefit

On April 20th, 370 Camp Odayin supporters embraced an

evening of ‘glamping’ (glamour + camping) at the Graves 601

Hotel. The festivities included a fashion show featuring

campers, parents, and volunteers strutting their

interpretations of camp activities, from archery to roasting

marshmallows. Entertainment from two local singer/

songwriters was a step up from Kumbaya around the

campfire. Zack Dyer’s acoustic set charmed during dinner.

Later, guests were drawn to the dance floor by the magnetic

pull of alternative soul music by Nicholas David of NBC’s The

Voice. For nearly a month following the benefit, not a day

went by at the office without mention of our post-event

amazement. Proceeds totaled over $58,000. which is nearly

$20,000 more than preceding years! We weren’t speechless;

we truly gushed, but all the same, there were no words...

aside from thank you! Be sure to save the date for the 2014

benefit on April 12th at the McNamara Alumni Center.

We have heard it said that the only thing better

than a day of golf is a day of golf for a good cause

paired with beautiful weather on a workday. While

this may not be an ancient Chinese proverb, it

certainly proved true at the Whole Heart Golf

Tournament on Monday, June 17th. Improving upon

an already amazing day, Lift Bridge Brewing

Company provided samples on the course, Mick

Sterling graced us with his musical talents, and 15

year old camper Marcus shared his inspiring story.

As if this all weren’t wonderful enough, the 12th

annual tournament raised $64,000. We’re so

grateful for the generosity of golfers and

sponsors. Thank you for the overwhelming support!

Visit Us Online Drop by www.campodayin.org to check out our super spiffed up new

website designed by camper parent, Mykl Roventine. We’re so grateful

and love the new look. The latest addition to the site is Camp Odayin’s

2012 Annual Report, which can be viewed on the Ways to Give page.

Congratulations! Former campers Taylor Zitur and Wesley

Erickson were awarded the 2012 Odayin

scholarship. We’re proud of them and

wish them the best in school and life!

Heartfelt thanks to our Whole Heart sponsors...

Presenting Sponsor:

Hole Sponsors

Camar Aircraft Parts Company ♥ C.H. Robinson

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Pate Foundation

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. ♥ Honey Nut Cheerios

Lake Elmo Bank ♥ Lyle Signs ♥ River Valley Dental Care

Stablish Foundation

Stillwater Investment Management, LLC

Terri Opp Memorial ♥ Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Driving Range Sponsors

Central Bank ♥ Eckberg Lammers Attorneys at Law

Jim Boser Memorial Fund ♥ Lakeside Plastics, Inc.

Lakeview Health ♥ Neuman Wealth Management Group of

RBC Wealth Management ♥ Swanson & Youngdale

info@campodayin.org

Camp Odayin

PO Box 2068

Stillwater, MN 55082

651.351.9185

651.351.9187—fax

Odayin Happenings

Sept 21: Heart & Sole Fun Run/Walk

and Camper & Staff Reunion

October 4: Soup it Up for Kids

October 18-20: Family Camp

November 14: Give to the Max Day

February 15-17: Winter Camp

February 28: Summer Camp

Application Available

March 23: Camp Kick Off / Family

Bowling Party

April 12: Have a Heart Benefit

May 1: Camp Application Deadline

Check our website in October for

2014 summer camp dates!

Camp Odayin, P.O. Box 2068, Stillwater, MN 55082

Phone: 651.351.9185 Fax: 651.351.9187 www.campodayin.org If you would prefer to receive the newsletter electronically or to add or remove names from our mailing list,

please contact us at info@campodayin.org.

Family Matters Although the name might suggest otherwise, Camp Odayin isn’t just a camp.

We’re a ‘heart family’ and we love to connect throughout the year!

On September 21st there will be a camp reunion following the Heart & Sole

Fun Run/Walk. All families of current and former campers and staff are

invited. Please RSVP via the Heart & Sole page of our website.

Family Camp is for families of a child with heart disease of any age! Join us

for a weekend of silliness and support October 18th-20th in Amery, WI.

Registration details are posted on the Family Camp page of our website.

Campers and siblings at the Camp Kick

Off bowling party on St. Patrick’s Day

Save the Date: March 23, 2014

Campers with

Pierre-Marc Bouchard

of the Minnesota Wild

Campers and parents enjoying a

Minnesota Twins game on a beautiful

July night thanks to St. Jude Medical