On July 2, 2011, Roundup River Ranch opened its camp doors for the first time and we began to fulfill our mission at the newly built campus in the heart of the Rocky Mountains along the Colorado River.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Early that morning, a CEO from another SeriousFun Children’s Network camp called to congratulate us and said, “You only get to experience the first opening day of camp once, so be sure to walk around and take it all in and see the joy on the kids’ faces.” I remember feeling an incredible sense of gratitude knowing that the future would bring endless years of joy and connection for thousands of children with serious illnesses.
Since 2020, it has been quiet here at camp. But, thanks to you, we still brought our campers and their families together to experience camp in new and engaging ways. Our staff and volunteers have been working nonstop to provide the healing power of camp to homes, hospital rooms, and computer screens. As we look ahead, I know we all look forward to the day when the buses roll up to camp and kids unpack their bags in their cabins. It’s what we do. It’s what they need.
We are thrilled to welcome campers back to our campsite next summer – and equally thrilled to continue offering a wide variety of year-round Camp Online and Outreach Programs in 2022. This year, more than ever, we are focusing on the many things we need to bring our campers, staff, and volunteers back to camp SAFELY–including medical supplies, testing protocols, and improvements to The Depot, our medical facility, and more.
We are asking for your continued support so we can make these essential changes to keep everyone healthy. Starting today, thanks to longtime generous donors, we have unlocked a $200,000 matching gift from the Frechette Family Foundation through December 31, 2021. Your gift today will be doubled dollar-for-dollar and will help sustain our exceptional facilities and programming in 2022 and for years to come.
On June 16, 2022, when we say, “Welcome home!” to campers on the first day of Summer Camp, we will be thinking of you. Because of you, the sense of gratitude, joy, and connection is returning to our happy place in the Colorado mountains.
May you and your loved ones be healthy and enjoy peace this holiday season.
In gratitude,
Ruth B. Johnson, JD
President & CEO
