Camp Sisu

The Arthritis Foundation’s Camp Sisu provides kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases a chance to have fun, build confidence and make lasting memories.

July 20 – 25, 2025
Maple Lake, MN

About Camp Sisu
Camp Sisu began as a partnership between the Arthritis Foundation and Cambria in 2014 and is located at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota. Many of our volunteers and leadership team have a rheumatic disease themselves or a close connection to one.
In recent years, camp has undergone changes, particularly following the pandemic. Even so, the goals of camp have remained the same. Over the course of five days (four full days and two half days), Camp Sisu strives to:
•   Increase camper understanding of rheumatic diseases and treatments.
•   Foster connections between campers with rheumatic conditions.
•   Increase camper independence and build their self-confidence.
•   Expose campers to new skills and interests in an environment where they are safe to test their abilities.
Camp Courage is part of True friends, an organization focused on “providing life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities.” The grounds include playing fields, a scenic lakeshore and woodland hiking trails. It also hosts a therapy pool, gym, 10 cabins and a wheelchair- accessible ropes course. For more information, please visit their official site: truefriends.org/locations/camp-courage/.

Sample Daily Schedule
•   Wake up and get ready!
•   Gentle morning warm-up
•   Breakfast
•   Meds
•   Morning activities (crafts, physical activity and SEEDs — our education series)
•   Lunch
•   Cabin time followed by rest time
•   2 Electives
•   Free time
•   Dinner
•   Evening activity (varies each day)
•   Night meds and wind down
•   Lights out

Camp Sisu Leadership & Staff

Michelle Mattson, Volunteer Leader

Michelle has volunteered with the Arthritis Foundation's Minnesota camp since 2014. She has had arthritis since age 3, but never attended camp as a camper. Volunteering started as a way to get hours for school but became a passion and eventually led her to her current career as a physical therapist. She loves combining the knowledge of her profession and her own experiences with arthritis to create a safe and fun camp experience. Michelle's favorite part of camp is the final bonfire where the connections the campers have built over the week are demonstrated through their skits and senior speeches — although, she says, the speeches do usually make her cry.

Tami Byklum, Medical Director

Tami, a nurse for 25 plus years, found her way to the Arthritis Foundation when her daughter was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). Tami has been a nurse at camp for the last five summers and looks forward to this week every year. What makes Camp Sisu more special is Tami now volunteers at camp alongside her daughter, Tori, who is also a former camper. Tami loves watching the kids grow throughout the week of camp making new friends who understand what they are going through themselves, giving themselves an injection for the first time and allowing themselves to be "normal" kids for at least one week out of the year.

Katelyn Melcher, Mental Health Director

Katelyn has been volunteering at camp since 2018. She lives with arthritis and enjoys the opportunity to connect with others and give back. Katelyn is pursuing her PhD in clinical psychology and incorporates her arthritis experiences within her research and clinical work to increase awareness about the connections between arthritis and mental health. Katelyn’s favorite parts of camp are leading SEEDs, playing shaving cream wiffle ball, and making lifelong connections with campers and volunteers.

Colin Landsteiner, Program Coordinator

2024 will be Colin's 10th summer at camp.  He started off as a counselor for the youngest boys, Unit 1, supported virtual camps and now works as a Program Coordinator with the camp leadership team. Colin was diagnosed with JA in high school and has been in remission since 2015. He loves giving back to this community and his favorite part about camp is watching the kids grow from year to year. He says it is so rewarding to see them build confidence in themselves and learn they are not alone!

Volunteer?

Ever thought of being a camp counselor?

Being a counselor at JA Camp is FUN and rewarding! If you need volunteer, practicum or observation hours, this may qualify, and we can help! Click here to get started with your volunteer application.

Become a Volunteer

JA Camp = Fun, Friendships and Lifelong Memories

Join the Fun!
Get a glimpse from previous JA camps to see what’s in store for you this summer.