CAMP M.A.S.H.

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

August 17 – 22, 2025
Wisconsin Lions Camp, Rosholt, WI

About Camp M.A.S.H.
Camp M.A.S.H. stands for Make Arthritis Stop Hurting. We are one of the longest running consecutive camps in the country. Camp M.A.S.H. was founded in 1989 with just six campers. Our largest year held 100 campers! One thing that makes us special is that 90% of our volunteers are former campers who want to give back to camp. They want to give our campers the same experience — or an even better one — than they had. Our campers can ask their counselors and program staff about their diagnoses or medications to help get an understanding from someone who is just like them. Each year at our closing campfire, we end the fire by singing our camp song, “Lean On Me” by Club Nouveau. It's a powerful thing to watch campers who are nervous their first year at camp embrace it and hug their friends during that song. Lifelong friendships and memories are made every summer at Camp M.A.S.H.
Activities for Campers include Arts & Crafts, games, Lyfe $killz (medical programming), campfires, swimming, photography, camp under the stars for ages 15 and older, outdoor movie night for ages 8 to 14.

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 M.A.S.H. 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.

Danielle Fair, MD, Medical Director

Dr. Fair is a pediatric rheumatologist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. This will be her fourth year at camp and her second as our Medical Director. She has been to camp in the past as a pediatric rheumatology fellow and has been wanting to get more involved with camp. She really enjoyed her first year at camp, but her time was cut short due to the arrival of her second child! We’re super happy to have her back. She volunteers at camp because she wanted to get to know her patients — and let them get to know her — outside of the hospital. She wants them to see that doctors are fun, friendly and caring individuals who really aren't all that scary. Her favorite part of camp is helping the older kids learn about different types of rheumatic diseases through playing games.

McKenzie Tischauser, CCLS, Mental Health Director

McKenzie is a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. She has been involved with camp for five years and this will be her third year as Mental Health Director. She volunteers because she works with many kids that have some form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and she wants to not only be a part of these kids' medical journeys, but also to help them have fun and be kids! McKenzie first volunteered at camp as a student and got to see first-hand what children/teens with JIA go through. Camp was so special to her that once she graduated from college, she wanted to continue being involved in camp and in changing campers' lives. Her favorite part of camp is Off the Hill with our older campers, cooking their own food, playing games, great deep discussion and sleeping under the stars.

Bill “Vern” Hartel, Lead Counselor

Bill is our Lead Counselor. He is a senior infrastructure systems engineer, in Chicago. Bill will celebrate his 18th year at camp and his second as Lead Counselor. He volunteers to help kids just like him. For one week in the summer, he can help children/teens be themselves and have experiences they might not get to have outside of camp. Bill grew up going to camp., After he graduated from camp, he came back to volunteer to give back as an older boys counselor. We are so honored to have him as our Lead Counselor. His favorite part of camp is helping kids overcome obstacles, try new things and reach their goals.

Jamie Puschnig, Program Coordinator

Jamie is our Program Coordinator. She has been involved with Camp M.A.S.H. for 18 years and this will be her second year as our Program Coordinator. At camp, Jamie has been on the committee for several years and has been on the program staff for nine years. Outside of camp, she is a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital Wisconsin in the rheumatology department. She volunteers for Camp M.A.S.H. because she loves seeing campers be their true selves and watch them build their own support systems to thrive. It’s the best feeling to see campers get outside of their comfort zones to make new friends, try new things and grow into themselves. She believes camp is a magical place and allows our kids to see that they can do anything they want, despite having arthritis — and have a stellar time while doing so! She has seen first-hand the impact camp has made on people and it’s amazing. Her favorite part of camp is playing games and the smoothie café.

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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