Camp KODA

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

July 30 – August 2, 2025
Camp Wapiti, Tooele, UT

Camp KODA stands for Kids Out to Defeat Arthritis. At Camp KODA we strive to achieve the following:
•   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.

Activities at camp include kayaking, ropes course, climbing wall, archery, swimming, field games, crafts and educational programming.

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

Camp KODA Leadership & Staff

Clare Peckenpaugh, Volunteer Leader

In 2017, at 23 years old, Clare’s life took an unexpected turn. That’s when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, after years of enduring pain and physical limitations at a young age. Clare remembers feeling so alone and misunderstood back then, which caused her to spiral into depression. Soon after her diagnosis, however, she found the Arthritis Foundation. Today, she is doing pediatric rheumatology research at a children’s hospital in Salt Lake City. She’s also pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of Utah. “I’m thankful that I have found a career and specialty that is near and dear to me,” Clare says. Getting involved with the Arthritis Foundation opened doors Clare didn’t know existed. In her first volunteer work with the Foundation locally, she served as a counselor at Camp KODA (Kids Out to Defeat Arthritis). That led her to become JA camp coordinator.

Sara Stern, MD, Medical Director

Dr. Sara Stern received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She then completed her residency and a clinical fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children’s Medical Center.

As a pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Stern’s clinical interests include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and autoinflammatory diseases. She also evaluates patients with musculoskeletal and joint pain. Her current research concentrations are Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis, pediatric Takayasu’s arteritis, medical education, and long term outcomes of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases.

Stanley Brewer, Mental Health Director

Stanley E. Brewer, D.O. is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Dr. Brewer completed his Bachelor’s Degree in psychology at Arizona State University, concurrently earning an Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s with emphasis in Religion and Korean studies. He then went on to receive his medical degree from A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona and completed combined training in Pediatrics, General Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Indiana University. Currently, Dr. Brewer works as a child psychiatrist at Primary Children’s Medical Center both in the outpatient clinic and on the Consult Liaison Service. He also provides mental health integration at several pediatrics clinics.

Dr. Brewer’s clinical interests are in chronic medical illness, the effects of childhood trauma, and collaborative/integrated care.

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.

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