Our History & SeriousFun Children’s Network
‘RAISING A LITTLE HELL” IS A POWERFULLY FUN WAY TO
HELP KIDS FIND JOY AND HOPE.
History powered by SeriousFun
Roundup River Ranch began with a dream to carry out the vision of actor Paul Newman and bring a Hole in the Wall Camp (now SeriousFun Children’s Network) to Colorado. Two members of the Hole in the Wall Board of Directors, David Horvitz and John Forester, envisioned a camp set in the beautiful Rocky Mountain region. Alison Knapp, a retired executive and local resident, also envisioned a camp in the valley after attending a fundraiser for a Florida SeriousFun camp.
In 2006, Alison officially founded Roundup River Ranch and recruited a diverse founding Board of Directors and our Founding President and CEO, Ruth Johnson. Over the next five years, the Board and a dedicated group of staff, volunteers, community and corporate partners, and many others worked tirelessly to make sure we were ready to welcome our first campers on July 6, 2011.
In 2026, we are celebrating 20 Years of Powering Hope & Joy.
It’s time to celebrate! For TWO BIG, AMAZING, AWE-INSPIRING DECADES, Roundup River Ranch has been a leading force for the healing power of fun.
It’s our 20th anniversary and we are so proud to have a proven track record of creating life-changing experiences for kids with life-altering diagnoses. Since 2006, we’ve shared The Power of Camp – first by partnering with other SeriousFun Children’s Network camps, and then by welcoming campers to our very own campsite since 2011. That’s 20 years of fueling spirits, igniting courage and empowering friendships. As we look to the future, we’re excited to build on the past two decades and expand our reach, provide even more intentional programming, extraordinary volunteer moments, awe-inspiring activities, newfound connections, and pure childhood happiness. The future is full of possibilities to ensure The Power of Camp continues to inspire independence, connection, joy, and hope for every child – whether they join us at camp, online, in hospitals, or through our Outreach Programs.