Camp Colorado

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

June 22 – 27, 2025
YMCA Camp Shady Brook, Deckers, CO

About Camp Colorado

Camp Colorado strives 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

8:00 am Wake up
8:30 am Breakfast
9:15am Morning Message/ Yoga/ Stretching
10:00 am Archery, Horseback riding or Swimming
11:15 am Scavenger Hunt 12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Cabin Activity
2:30 pm Tomahawk throwing,
Challenge Course or Canoeing 3:45 pm Rest Time
4:30 pm Arts & Crafts, hike or Talk with a doc
6:00 pm Dinner
7:15 pm Knight Games, Karaoke or Movie Night
8:30 pm Cabin Chat or
Stargazing and bedtime

Camp Colorado | Leadership & Staff

Robin Kingham, Director, JA Family Engagement

Robin has been a passionate advocate for the magic of summer camp for many years. In 2022, she brought her expertise to the Arthritis Foundation, where she oversees the national JA summer camp program, creating unforgettable experiences for kids with rheumatic diagnoses.

Jenny Soep, MD, Camp Medical Director

Jenny Soep, MD is a pediatric rheumatologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She is involved with clinical work, research and medical education at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She became interested in this field as a second-year medical student when she was studying autoimmune diseases in the classroom at the same time as seeing patients in the pediatric rheumatology clinic. Even now, over three decades later, she is still fascinated by how various types of autoimmune diseases manifest in the patients she sees. She is very thankful to be practicing when there are new developments in our understanding of these abnormalities that are leading to promising treatments.

“Dr. Jenny” has attended the JA Camp Colorado for over 20 years and has been the Camp Medical Director since 2016. She is honored to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Roger Hollister, who started the camp over three decades ago with his wife, Joan Hollister. She is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, supportive experience for all participants. Dr. Jenny looks forward to the week at camp when she can unplug and have fun with the campers, joining in on the karaoke, hiking, arts & crafts, s’mores and dancing.

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

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

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

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

Pre-registration is open

Helping Kids Say YES!

Arthritis Foundation camps are FUN, safe and secure for children and teens with juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases. Campers make lifelong friends, gain a greater understanding of their own juvenile arthritis, increase independence and self-confidence, and discover new skills and interests. Our JA camps are medically supervised by health care professionals on site to tend to your child’s needs. Pre-registration opens December 7, 2024.

Pre-Register