CAMP ODAYIN
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I attended Campy Odayin as a counselor for the first time in 2008. My mom is a nurse at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and had gone the previous year. She came home after that week and couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had. I know the camp is for the kids, but all of us volunteers have just as much fun. While the camp may be for children with heart disease, you would never know it. The camp is no different than any other summer camp except for the trained nurses and doctors on hand. The kids do everything from crafts to boating to horseback riding and none of them act like they are sick. They make every moment of that week count because this is something they look forward to all year. I plan to attend next year. And maybe I'll volunteer for more than one week. That's how much fun I had and that's how much I want to help these kids enjoy the week away from home and with other kids just like them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the eyes of the children who attended camp. Both my co-counselor and I and our campers were new to Camp Odayin this year. All of our girls were so excited to be there and want to come next year.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how much it has opened my eyes. I have been lucky in my life to never have been seriously ill. It makes a great difference in a child's life when he or she learns that she can go to a summer camp that has a staff able to accomodate them. They are not only safe and taken care of with a trained medical staff, but they meet other kids just like them. It not only a rewarding experience when it comes to friendship, but it gives them a sense of independence which they might not have ever experienced before.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
so eager to help the kids have a great time at camp. You have to be a very special and strong person to attend this kind of summer camp.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
pay to bring more children to camp who do not otherwise have the means to get there whether it be about money or transporation. There are already kids from other states and countries that come here. They are lucky enough to have the means to come. Some are not so lucky, but if we could help get them here, I know that this experience will be one of the best they have in their lives.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
What an amazing camp. It was professional, inspiring, heartwarming and most of all brilliant fun! Camp Odayin is a hugely important experience for the campers and a very worthwhile volunteering opportunity for the councilors. I traveled from New Zealand to volunteer at Camp Odayin and cherish every minute of it.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being involved in an organization that truly does make a significant difference to the lives of the children it supports.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, driven, passionate, caring, enthusiastic and considerate of all peoples needs.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Camp Odayin is a wonderful not for profit organization. The organization sponsors events in addition to camp throughout the year for children with heart disease and their families. Many of the kids at camp attend year after year and are certainly considered a part of the "Camp Odayin family". I had an amazing experience at camp as a volunteer because of the wonderful kids and Camp Odayin staff. The camp experience is made possible through donations from individuals and organizations throughout the year. One of the activities at camp that the kids participate in is creating cards for all of the donors. This activity provides the kids with the opportunity to reflect and put into words exactly how much the experience means to them. The kids take this activity very seriously and a lot of the cards created by the girls in my cabin were very touching. All in all the Camp Odayin team includes some of the nicest and most generous people that I know and because of this I will always have a place in my heart for this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The faces of the children that have a great camp experience because of this organization.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The camp experience and also seeing campers throughout the year at different activities.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all great people with big hearts.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
do a lot of amazing things for kids and their families. The camp would be able to expand and accept more children from across the country and around the world to attend.
Ways to make it better...
I don't think I could have had a better experience.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding - similar to many non-profits, I would guess that the economy is having an effect on the amount of donations that are received this year.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this is an organization that has the best interests of the kids at heart and they do everything possible to make sure that these kids have the chance to have fun and forget for one week out of the year that they have a special condition.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
This is a great camp to work with! The staff is extremely outgoing and energetic. They work hard at keeping the energy level very high to keep the campers motivated and having fun. The campers are also great kids. I spent three weeks of my summer having a blast with kids and getting to know some great Camp Odayin staff and I loved every minute of it. I'm planning on volunteering with them again next summer and would recommend it to anyone.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
from all different backgrounds but extremely nice and outgoing people. They work hard at finding great volunteers.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Camp Odayin was one of the best experiences of my life. The children are fantastic and the organization/leadership is unbelievable. Nearly every moment you spend there is memorable and rewarding.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Making kids who sometimes have little to smile about relax, enjoy life, and have fun.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change anything
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working with and getting to know the kids. Just thinking about them right now is making me smile.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Fun, energetic, and unique all adding to the atmosphere that makes it so great
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
allow more kids to come.
Ways to make it better...
a little more (30 min) alone time was available
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
trying to improve (it is already pretty good)
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Camp Odayin is an outstanding program that provides a camping experience for children with heart disease who might not otherwise be able to particpate in this type of activity. The fact that the camp is so well staffed, both medically and otherwise, is also a huge relief to the parents of these children. The world needs more organizations as loving, caring and giving as Camp Odayin and its staff.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the increased self-confidence of the kids and the smiles of joy and gratitude on the faces of the campers and their parents.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ability to serve as a role model for children with heart disease and help them to just be kids instead of patients.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
helpful, loving, caring and giving, the best people one could imagine.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help every child with heart disease have the chance to just be a kid, if only for a week at a time.
Ways to make it better...
I lived closer to Minnesota and could help out on more activities.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the ability to continue recruiting excellent volunteer help, medical and lay, and the continuing need to raise funds.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Camp Odayin is a blessing, to the kids, their parents and me.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
This is one of the best camps in the midwest. It is a camp dedicated to kids with heart disease. The staff and facilities are oustanding and better than any other summmer camp that I have ever worked at. Sincerely Michael G. Earing, MD
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The facilities and staff are second to none.
Should this review be counted for a specific campaign?
Medical College of Wisconsin
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I have been a volunteer counselor at Camp Odayin for two summers now. Everything about this experience is FIRST CLASS! The staff is organized and caring. Every detail is thought of and taken care of. The campers (and volunteers) are given a week of outstanding and memorable experiences. Many choose to return year after year. That speaks for itself!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The reactions of the campers, the trust the parents place in the organization, and the memories created for kids and volunteers alike.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change nothing
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the organized, thoughtful planning.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful caring people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
serve many more campers and continue to grow and expand.
Ways to make it better...
couldn't be better
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
it is growing - they may have to turn kids away - that woudl be a shame.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I hope to be able to continue volunteering for Camp Odayin
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I absolutely loved it!! Camp Odayin gave me a chance to spend a week away from the grind of work and a chance to meet different people from different places. It gave me a chance to have fun and see the world from kids' eyes. I thought the staff of Camp Odayin planned an awesome time for the kids and were very creative with their ideas. I definitely plan on volunteering again in 2009 to spend time with these great people!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the faces of the children that spend a week at the camp.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make sure the staff doesn't leave.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
helping these children enjoy life as kids who don't have heart disease are able to enjoy it and helping them forget the everyday troubles they face.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
in a word... AWESOME!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue to run awesome camps, donate money to heart research, and maybe start other camps or run different events.
Ways to make it better...
I didn't have to go back to work that following Monday.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
obviously making sure that there are good quality doctors and nurses available for all the weeks of the camp.
One thing I'd also say is that...
it was a great opportunity for me.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Camp Odayin is a wonderful organization that allows children with heart disease to expierene summer camp. As a councelor I had a wonderful time with my campers! Wonderful, respectful, mature young ladies. Sarah Meslow and the rest of the Camp Odayin staff do an awesome job of letting the volunteers know how much they are appreciated! The application and orientation process befor camp were very easy and organized. During my volunteer experience, I felt like I became part of the Camp Odayin family, and hope to volunteer again next summer! Overall, I highly recommend this experience!!
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
energetic and excited about the campers!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008