Camp Odyssey’s ‘Mud Madness’ makes a big splat, officials keep campers safe amid heat wave

SALISBURY, Md. – Week four at Camp Odyssey in Salisbury is a special and messy one as its Mud Madness Day makes a splat on camp grounds. “I’ve been here since I was a little 5 year old and every year mud madness was always amazing. They always added new twists,” Camper Aila Ovais said. 

“As you can see we have a lot going on between mud facials and a mud obstacle course. We also have the rope bridge and water slide for some campers who don’t like to get messy,” Assistant Camp Director Katie Serenyi said.

Camp officials say this year’s celebration meant getting back to tradition for many. “They took the Summer of 2020 and 2021 off so Summer 2022 was a big first for a lot of campers,” Serenyi said.

It wasn’t just the campers getting a little messy. “Every year we look forward to Mud Madness. As you can see the counselor’s enjoy getting in the mud also,” Camp Counselor Kristin Pearce said.

“Seeing it from a child’s perspective to an adult you just have so much fun and it brings back all the childhood memories.”

Although mud was the main attraction of the day, camp officials are also making sure campers are staying hydrated during Delmarva’s current heat wave. “We knew this day was coming and we wanted to make sure our kids were healthy and safe. So now we’ve got water and we’ve got mud to keep us cool and luckily we have a little bit of overcast to finish off the day strong,’ Serenyi said.

Many end the day messier than they probably would like but we’re told the memories make it worthwhile. “I remember Mud Madness day when I was a camper at 5 0r 6 years old so now that I’m in the administrative part I get to make sure we keep this going,” Serenyi said.

“They make each year better and better and always end up doing it. The counselors care so much and they can always make everything amazing for the campers,” Ovais said.

Camp officials say the safety of their campers is their top priority and have protocol in place to make sure they stay cool.

Preparations are already underway to bring the event back next year.