Dr. Paige Baker-Braxton

Recognizing the Need for Behavioral Health Support

Each year, millions of children navigate the challenges of behavioral health conditions, from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder and medical trauma. These diagnoses can be life-altering, affecting a child’s ability to engage fully in school, friendships, and family life. While March 2nd marks World Teen Mental Wellness Day, the need for ongoing support, advocacy, and innovative care for children and teens struggling with behavioral health conditions is year-round.

At Roundup River Ranch, we recognize that behavioral health is as critical as physical health. For years, our camp has served children with chronic and serious medical conditions, creating a place where illness does not define them and where joy, independence, and connection take center stage. Now, we are extending that same mission to children living with behavioral health challenges, ensuring that in the midst of their often life-altering diagnosis –  they, too, have access to the life-changing experience of camp.

How Behavioral Health Conditions Impact Children

Living with a behavioral health condition can be an isolating experience. For children and teens, it can mean struggling with daily routines, feeling disconnected from peers, and battling internal challenges that are invisible to the outside world.

In Eagle and Summit County alone, our 2021 data shows that nearly 44% of local children report unmanageable stress, and 12% of students have seriously considered suicide. These numbers are staggering, but they also underscore the need for action. Despite the incredible efforts of community partners like Vail Health Behavioral Health, Your Hope Center, Youth Power 360, and so many others – families navigating behavioral health concerns often face stigma, financial barriers, and limited access to care, making it even harder for children to receive the support they need.

At Roundup River Ranch, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. That’s why we are taking a bold step forward in addressing behavioral health concerns as qualifying conditions for camp.

Why Camp Matters for Children with Behavioral Health Conditions

For years, Roundup River Ranch has welcomed campers with a range of medical conditions, but what makes camp so impactful is that it’s not about the diagnosis—it’s about the experience. Camp fosters belonging, confidence, and healing in a way that clinical settings often cannot. Research shows that play is an essential component of mental and physical health, helping children develop resilience, coping skills, and stronger emotional connections.

In 2025, Roundup River Ranch will launch its first-ever Behavioral Health & Wellness Camp in partnership with Vail Health Behavioral Health (VHBH). This initiative will include:

• A dedicated 3-night camp session for local children with significant behavioral health diagnoses
• Integration of children with behavioral health conditions into traditional camp sessions
• Specialized training for counselors and volunteers to support campers with behavioral health challenges

All with a focus on resilience-building, coping skills, and the power of community

Stories of Strength and Transformation

Every camper has a story. For children facing behavioral health challenges, camp is more than just a getaway—it’s a turning point. This is the power of camp. It’s not about erasing challenges but about showing kids that they are more than their diagnosis. It’s about giving them a space where they can be themselves—unapologetically, joyfully, and with the full support of a compassionate community.

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Q&A with Dr. Baker-Braxton

Q: What is your title? What is your specialty?

A: I’m a clinical psychologist here in the Vail Valley. I have a passion for bridging the gap between science, human connection, and behavioral health advocacy. My early training focused on trauma, and I developed a specialization for working with queer and trans folks. In my early career I balanced a private practice working with LGBTQ patients with trauma histories and in the nonprofit sector building behavioral and social service programs. Then about three years ago my family moved to the Vail Valley. Currently, I am the Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health at Vail Health and have a board seat on Mountain Pride, our LGBTQ non-profit. I also sit on the Medical Advisory Committee at Roundup River Ranch where I have spearheaded the behavioral health initiative.  

Each step of my career has been about finding ways to make behavioral health support more accessible and destigmatized. Really at the center of my work, is the combination of evidence based practice with a deep understanding of the individual. I work to integrate patient-center programming with innovative treatments centered around this idea that community is at the core of health. 

Q: How did you get connected to camp? How long have you been involved? What is your favorite thing about camp?

A: My journey with Roundup River Ranch began in the summer of 2023, when I was invited to The Bullseye Roundup event, a fundraiser dedicated to supporting camp. Before that night, I had never heard of Roundup. As I watched the impact video featuring campers sharing their transformative experiences, the profound effect of the camp’s mission struck me deeply. The stories of struggle, strength, and joy resonated with my own experiences in behavioral health, and I knew I had to be part of this extraordinary community.

After the event, driven by an almost magnetic pull to contribute, I sought out Sarah Johnson, the president and CEO of Roundup. I expressed my pretty impulsive eagerness to get involved. Sarah, recognizing that passion or maybe capitalizing on that impulsiveness, invited me to lunch the following week, and we began brainstorming how I could make a meaningful contribution. That lunch marked the beginning of an enriching collaboration that has only grown deeper with time.

Since joining the Roundup community, I have had the privilege of working alongside staff whose dedication is palpable and energy unmatched. Their passion infuses every interaction I’ve also built lasting relationships with camper alumni, connections that I treasure deeply. These interactions are a stark reminder of the power of community and the profound impact of shared joy.

For me, as a therapist, the connection to Roundup River Ranch is particularly poignant. In my professional life, I often walk alongside people during their darkest times, supporting them as they navigate the path to healing. While I witness recovery and resilience, the joy—raw, unadulterated, life-affirming joy—is something we seldom see in clinical settings. Roundup River Ranch offers a rare glimpse into this joy, allowing me and my team at Vail Health Behavioral Health to not only contribute to our patients’ happiness but also to rejuvenate our own spirits. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, seeing the resilience of these incredible young people realtime.

Being part of Roundup River Ranch is not just a role or a responsibility; it’s a profound privilege that continually inspires and renews my commitment to behavioral health. Here, I find a community where healing translates into happiness, where every challenge overcome is a shared victory. It’s where I, too, learn, grow, and find joy in the resilience that is so vividly displayed around me.

Q: What is behavioral health and why does it matter for children?

A: Behavioral health is a broad term that includes not only mental health but also encompasses how our behaviors, choices, lifestyle, and the communities we are part of influence our overall well-being. For children, behavioral health is particularly important because it impacts psychological development, emotional maturity, and social skills, all of which are essential for a successful transition into adolescence and adulthood.

Moreover, many aspects of a child’s life are beyond their own control, including where they live, the stability of their home life, the quality of their education, and the safety of their community. These factors can either support or undermine their behavioral health. In environments where violence, instability, or neglect are present, children may develop behavioral health challenges that can persist into adulthood. We call these adverse childhood events, and the data is clear they can have significant and persistent impact on a person’s wellbeing. 

The good news is that there are ways to combat these experiences. Community plays a crucial role in supporting the behavioral health of children. A supportive community can provide safe spaces for children to learn and play, access to mental health services, and programs that promote healthy relationships and lifestyles. Schools and after-school programming can act as buffers against negative influences by providing structured, nurturing environments.

Additionally, early intervention and education about behavioral health can help children learn to manage their emotions and cope with challenges from a young age. This is vital for preventing the development of more serious mental health conditions and for promoting lifelong health..

In sum, behavioral health for children is about creating a holistic environment that not only looks after their mental and emotional needs but also actively involves their physical health, social skills, and the quality of their immediate surroundings. Ensuring that these elements are positive and enriching is key to helping children grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults.

Q: What barriers or challenges does someone with this diagnosis deal with? 

A: Children and teens with behavioral health diagnoses encounter numerous challenges that can permeate all aspects of their daily lives. The impact of these conditions is often most visible in environments that require consistent performance and interaction, such as school, sports, and home.

• School and Academic Performance: For many young people, coping with symptoms like anxiety, depression, or attention deficits can drastically affect their ability to succeed academically. Difficulty concentrating, processing information at the same pace as peers, or managing the physical symptoms of anxiety can lead to struggles with completing assignments, participating in classroom activities, or maintaining grades. This academic struggle is often compounded by the fear of stigma, leading to reluctance in seeking help or accommodations from teachers and school staff.
• Participation in Sports or Extracurriculars: Behavioral health issues can also manifest in extracurricular activities such as sports, where attention, teamwork, and physical coordination are essential. Children and teens may find it challenging to stay focused during practices or games. They may struggle to follow complex instructions or may have difficulty coping with the pressure of competition. Such difficulties can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and isolation if they feel unable to keep up with their peers.
• Home Life and Responsibilities: At home, routine chores and responsibilities can become overwhelming for those with behavioral health conditions. Tasks that require planning, memory, or sustained attention—such as cleaning their room, completing homework, or even adhering to daily hygiene routines—can seem daunting. Procrastination or neglect of these tasks often leads to conflict with family members, further affecting the child’s self-esteem and stress levels.
• Sleep Disturbances: Many behavioral health conditions are associated with difficulty sleeping, whether it’s trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep. Poor sleep can exacerbate other symptoms of their condition, creating a vicious cycle of fatigue affecting their mood, energy levels, and overall health.
• Social Withdrawal: Perhaps one of the most significant impacts of behavioral health issues in children and teens is on their social interactions. They may withdraw from friends and family, struggle to make new friends, or feel misunderstood by their peers. 

Q: What could a normal day/month/year for a camper with this diagnosis look like?

A: Behavioral health diagnoses are complex and often co-morbid, meaning multiple conditions can exist at one time. The best way for me to illustrate what a normal day may look like is to tell you about a patient that I worked with that we will call “Lucy.” 

Lucy, a 16 year old high schooler, was diagnosed with depression last fall. And that diagnosis permeates every aspect of her life. A typical day for Lucy starts with the internal struggle of whether to get out of bed or not – followed by the very external struggle with her mother.  The weight of her depression makes the simplest morning routines—brushing her teeth, getting dressed—feel like insurmountable tasks. The world outside feels overwhelming, making the school bus ride a journey through a tunnel of anxiety and isolation.

At school, Lucy struggles to connect with her peers and participate in class discussions. Her depression casts a fog over her concentration, muting the noise and the joy of her classes. Group projects and lunchtime are particularly daunting, as she feels an invisible barrier between herself and her classmates, who seem to navigate their day with ease.

After school, while other kids might engage in sports or hobbies, Lucy often withdraws to the quiet of her room. Here, she battles internal voices that amplify her insecurities and sap her motivation. Homework piles up, unread and untouched, as her energy and interest wane under depression’s heavy cloak. 

Q: Can you talk about why this partnership makes so much sense?

A: Since its inception, Roundup River Ranch has been deeply involved in supporting campers, siblings, and families as they navigate the complex emotions associated with life-altering medical conditions, including grief, loss, depression, and the anxiety that often accompanies chronic illnesses. Behavioral health support has always been a component of camp’s programming. Behavioral Health is not new to Roundup.

What is new, however, is the camp’s dedicated focus on integrating campers with primary diagnoses of behavioral health conditions. This shift marks a significant expansion of Roundup River Ranch’s mission, emphasizing behavioral health not just as a secondary support mechanism but as a primary focus of its programming. Here’s why the partnership with Vail Health Behavioral Health makes perfect sense:

• Deep Community Ties and Expertise: VHBH is the largest provider of behavioral health services in Eagle and Summit counties, possessing extensive knowledge about the local community’s specific needs and challenges. Their deep roots and comprehensive understanding of local behavioral health landscapes make them an ideal partner for Roundup River Ranch.
• Expanding Expertise to Specialized Needs: The partnership leverages VHBH’s expertise to equip camp staff with the necessary training and support to handle a wide range of behavioral health issues effectively. This training ensures that every camper receives care that is both compassionate and clinically informed.
• Focus on Local Impact: This collaboration marks the first time Roundup River Ranch has dedicated its services specifically to local children through a meaningful partnership. By doing so, the camp can directly address and impact the community it serves, providing targeted interventions that are designed with an intimate understanding of local needs.
• Strengthening Staff Capabilities: With the backing of VHBH, Roundup River Ranch is able to enhance its staffing support, ensuring that counselors and healthcare professionals are well-prepared to provide the best possible experience for campers. This includes ongoing professional development and access to VHBH’s network of resources and specialists.
  Enhanced Program Development: The partnership also facilitates the development of specialized programs that integrate therapeutic recreational activities with evidence-based behavioral health interventions. These programs are designed to not only entertain and engage but also to provide healing and growth opportunities for campers.
  Creating a Continuum of Care: By integrating VHBH’s services with the camp’s activities, the partnership ensures a continuum of care that extends beyond the camp session. This approach helps to maintain and build upon the progress campers make during their time at Roundup River Ranch.

In essence, the partnership between Roundup River Ranch and Vail Health Behavioral Health is a natural evolution of both VHBH and camp’s commitment to holistic care. It strengthens the camp’s capacity to serve as a transformative space for children facing behavioral and health challenges and underlines a shared commitment to fostering resilience and joy in a community setting. This thoughtful collaboration not only enhances the camp’s offerings but also solidifies its role as a crucial resource for the families it serves.

Q: What went into establishing our very first Behavioral Health & Wellness Camp? 

A: Establishing the first Behavioral Health & Wellness Camp at Roundup River Ranch required planning and extensive collaboration. The process began with many dedicated minds coming together, spending hours around conference tables to brainstorm and strategize, involving key stakeholders from our community to solicit their feedback and identify potential challenges. Recognizing the value of shared experiences, we consulted with the larger Serious Fun Network of camps to draw on their lessons learned and guidance in developing our programming. This network provided invaluable insights that helped tailor our approach to best suit the needs of our campers. 

Thanks to the partnership between Vail Health Behavioral health and the strong support of the Roundup River Ranch board we hope we have created a camp experience that is both transformative and nurturing, tailored to meet the specific needs of children with behavioral health challenges.

Q: Details about the Behavioral Health & Wellness camp session: what diagnoses will be included, explanation of Eagle County residents, etc.

A: Our Behavioral Health & Wellness camp session welcomes teens aged 14-17, with the possibility of expanding our age range based on community interest and needs. We cater to a number of behavioral health diagnoses, including adjustment disorders, ADHD, various anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorder. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, we carefully review each camper’s situation, and exclusions may apply for those with recent psychiatric hospitalizations, uncontrolled aggressive behavior, severe emotional dysregulation, active substance use, severe eating disorders, and acute psychosis. Additionally, our program typically does not include campers with primary autism diagnoses. A crucial part of our enrollment process is the establishment of a comprehensive safety plan for campers with a history of self-harm or aggression.

Referrals to our camp can be made by behavioral health professionals throughout the valley who can use our direct online form. Families, campers, and other professionals in the community are encouraged to contact us directly at camp, or reach out to me at Paige.Braxton@vailhealth.org for a screening to determine eligibility. 

We are dedicated to serving and prioritizing our Eagle County community, ensuring every camper receives the personalized support they need to thrive.

Q: How will we accommodate or care specifically for this diagnosis at camp? 

A: At Roundup River Ranch, our approach to accommodating specific behavioral health diagnoses is deeply integrated into the very fabric of our camp philosophy, which emphasizes normalcy, joy, resilience, and community building. One of the foundational principles we employ is “Challenge by Choice,” which empowers campers to engage in activities at their comfort level. This method respects individual autonomy and encourages personal growth by allowing campers to choose their level of participation in challenging activities. It’s a powerful way to foster self-esteem and resilience, as campers learn to set and respect their own boundaries and those of others.

Given that Roundup River Ranch has been supporting campers with behavioral health diagnoses since its inception, the infrastructure to provide specialized care is robustly in place. The camp environment is naturally designed to foster inclusion and support, with minimal adjustments needed for specific diagnoses. Existing structures such as the Zen Den and activities designed to decompress for those who might feel overwhelmed and visual schedules to assist those with attention or sensory challenges are part of this inclusive framework.

However, the introduction of volunteer psychiatric and therapy providers marks a significant enhancement in our capacity to offer tailored support. These professionals bring a depth of understanding and expertise that enriches our program, enabling the integration of mindfulness practices and evidence-based interventions directly into the daily activities of the camp. This strategic infusion helps ensure that all campers not only enjoy their time but also receive therapeutic benefits during their stay.

Ultimately, the goal at Roundup River Ranch is to build a supportive community where every camper can experience the joy of childhood while also developing the tools to manage their behavioral health in a positive, nurturing environment. The camp is already well-positioned to achieve this.

Monica Haugen