Why Camp Matters

Camp is FREE for all of our campers and their families. Whoo-hoo! Yippee!

At camp, you could make new friends from 11 different states! While a majority of our campers are from Colorado, there may be campers from Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Additionally, we accept campers from outside of our service region on a case-by-case basis.

There is no typical day at camp! We have many different activities and fun things to do throughout the day. Sometimes we change plans to ensure that all campers have the best time possible. We follow a set schedule each day that includes:

Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. every day. If you wake up really early, there are “Early Elk Activities” such as archery, fishing, Legos, and more before breakfast. After breakfast, you will go to different activities with your activity group or your cabin.

Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. Then we have Feet Off the Floor Time in our cabins to prepare for a full afternoon of fun. In the afternoon, you will go to more activities – some with your activity group or cabin.

Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. After dinner, we have different activities such as campfires, camp games, Stage Night, and more. We then return to our cabins for Candle Chat and bedtime. All campers need a full night of sleep to prepare for the next day’s activities.

You mean awesome? Of course! But even more amazing, is that you’ll probably meet kids who are going through the very same things you are. Our campers often remark about how they never feel “different” when they’re at Roundup River Ranch. And we know that’s a great feeling. At camp, we celebrate our differences and similarities. You will meet a diverse group of campers from many backgrounds, all of whom have a medical condition or medical illness. Most of the time, you will meet other campers who have the same or a similar condition as you do. Regardless, we strive to ensure that all Roundup River Ranch campers feel at home and welcomed as a member of our camp family.

All kinds of yummy stuff! Our campers love eating meals at Roundup River Ranch, its some campers favorite part of the entire week! Trent’s Cookhouse is always where the fun is. Our kitchen crew is well-prepared to handle dietary restrictions to make meals delicious AND safe. While our menus rotate weekly, there are three full meals served every day:

Breakfast: The most important meal of the day! You may enjoy cereal, fresh fruit, muffins, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and more. A variety of juices and milk are also served.

Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, hamburgers with a variety of fixins, and quesadillas are sample lunch options.

Dinner: There might be pizza, chicken parmesan, or everyone’s favorite – no-hands spaghetti dinner! There is always a vegetarian dish available. And for dessert, there may be cookies, cake, or other delicious treats.

If you’d like to review the menu in advance, please contact our camper admissions team and one can be sent to you.

If you have allergies or cannot eat certain foods because of dietary needs or religious reasons, you will receive a meal that suits your dietary preferences or requirements. There will always be something delicious to keep you energized. Our medical and kitchen teams are available to speak to you to ensure that your dietary needs are met and accommodated. Our Food Allergy and Dietary Restrictions Protocols provides more details about the steps our team takes to provide healthy, safe food for every individual at camp.

If you’d like to review the menu in advance, please contact our camper admissions team and one can be sent to you.

We want you to know you are in incredible, caring, expert hands here. You will be taken care of by many committed and trained staff members at Roundup River Ranch. Everyone is at camp to ensure that you have fun, you are safe, and to be your friend. You will have Cabin Leaders who accompany you to all activities and stay with you in your cabin. You will meet enthusiastic and well-trained Program Leaders who will lead all camp activities. There are also nurses and doctors in The Depot and at our activity areas to provide all the medical care you need while at camp.

At Roundup River Ranch, you will sleep in one of our six camper cabins with up to 11 other campers who are in your age group. We do NOT supply linens, but we do have incredible mattresses. You may sleep in a standard twin bed or on a bunk bed. There will also be Cabin Leaders and volunteers who will share the cabin with you to provide assistance, support, and friendship.

In most cabins, at least two adults sleep in the main camper room. Additional adults sleep in Staff/Volunteer Rooms that are in close proximity to the Camper Sleeping Rooms. This ensures that campers are able to receive the support they need at all times.

In most cabins, at least two adults sleep in the main camper room. Additional adults sleep in Staff/Volunteer Rooms that are in close proximity to the Camper Sleeping Rooms. This ensures that campers are able to receive the support they need at all times. Female identifying & non-binary staff/volunteers can be assigned to the youngest 4 cabins, including overnight coverage in the main camper room. To read more about housing assignments, review our Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy.

If you can imagine it, we probably do it! Fun is around every corner here. You’ll find so many ways to have fun and also challenge yourself, try new things and even show others how to accomplish something new, too. You will do some things with your activity group, some with your cabin, and sometimes you will choose which activities you would like to do and join other campers who want to do the same activity. You usually have the opportunity to participate in all of our activities at least once.

Our activities include archery, art, boating, fishing, horses, music, nature and discovery, drama, the challenge course (includes our climbing wall and zip line), and many other camp-wide or cabin games and activities. Throughout the day, you may enjoy time with your cabin, playing games, solving mind puzzles, etc. After dinner, you will enjoy evening programs, such as Carnival Night, campfires, camp-wide games, a scavenger hunt, and more.

First of all, pack your sense of humor. And some good jokes, if you have them. Then the three most important other things to bring to camp are a smile, a great attitude, and a readiness to have fun! You’ll need closed-toe shoes and a water bottle for sure. For all your other items, a full packing list will be supplied to all accepted campers in your welcome packet.

The following items are not allowed at Roundup River Ranch: electronic games, laptop computers, knives, lighters, matches, sharp tools, weapons of any sort, personal sports equipment (rollerblades, skateboards, bicycles, etc.), cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs, valuables (jewelry, watches, etc.), food items (snacks, chewing gum, candy, etc.), or money – there is nowhere to spend money at camp.

Both Full-Time and Seasonal staff go through Emergency Procedure training each year to be prepared for an emergency. Review our Emergency Procedures Policy to see what actions we take in a variety of scenarios.

One of our guideposts is R.E.S.P.E.C.T., stating “We’re all about it. We respect each other’s individual talents, opinions, differences and choices. We appreciate what everyone brings to the table and we are huge fans of high fives, pleases and thank yous.”  Please review our Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy to learn what that looks like at camp.

Camper forms (both diagnosed camper and sibling under the age of 18)

• Onsite Consent waiver
• Specialty Provider Clinic Note- diagnosed campers only
• Colorado State Immunizations
• Mental Health and Behavioral Support Form
• Accommodations and Considerations
• Yearly season flu vaccine
• COVID-19 testing consent
• Medical Information Form
• Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Dietary Restrictions form
• Medications, Vitamins, and Supplements form
• Session Transportation form
• Physical or Wellness Exam- siblings only

** Other forms may appear in the application process depending on answers.**

Family Member Forms (over the age of 18)

• On-site Consent waiver
• Yearly season flu vaccine
• COVID-19 Testing Consent
• Medical Information form-adult
• Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Dietary Restrictions form- adult
• Session Transportation Form

SPURS Forms

• On-site Consent waiver
• Specialty Provider Clinic Note
• Colorado State Immunizations
• Yearly season flu vaccine
• COVID-19 Testing Consent
• Mental Health and Behavioral Support From
• Accommodations and Considerations
• Medical Information form- adult
• Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Dietary Restrictions form- adult
• Program Requirements form
• Session Transportation form

** Other forms may appear in the application process depending on answers.**
*Once an applicant has been accepted into the program, they will need to finish background check requirements to attend on-site.