HERE, WORRIES ABOUT FITTING IN DISAPPEAR IN A SEA OF “WELCOME!”
Finding others on your same journey creates powerful friendships.
Our summer sessions are six-day, five-night camp experiences designed for children with life-altering diagnoses.They are a full week of tutu-wearing, spaghetti slurping, life-changing fun. Campers embrace joy, create meaningful connections, foster independence, and build hope alongside peers who share similar experiences. At Summer Camp, these new friendships give kids the opportunity to discover their inner courage, try activities they never thought possible, and gain confidence that stays with them long after their week at camp is over.
Summer Camp sessions are open to diagnosed campers ages 7-17. We accept children with a variety of life-altering medical diagnoses.
2026 SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS
6-day, 5-night sessions for campers ages 7-17.
June 5 – 10
Session 1
Gastrointestinal & Liver Conditions, & Celiac (Gluten-Free!) Diagnoses include but are not limited to: liver disease, liver transplant, IBD/IBS (Crohn’s and colitis), short gut syndrome, Hirschsprung’s, gastroparesis, g-tube dependence, colorectal conditions, chronic pancreatitis, and celiac disease.
June 16 – 21
Session 2
Heart & Kidney Conditions Diagnoses include but are not limited to: arrythmias, congenital and acquired heart disease, heart transplant, kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplant, and neurogenic bladder.
June 26 – July 1
Session 3
Neurologic & Genetic Conditions Diagnoses include but are not limited to: epilepsy, cerebral palsy/stroke/TBI, craniofacial abnormalities (including but not limited to cleft lip/palate), spina bifida, genetic conditions, neurofibromatosis, and dermatologic conditions.
July 5 – 8
Session 4
Behavioral Health Conditions Diagnoses include but are not limited to: adjustment disorders, anxiety and related disorders, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and acute stress disorder.
July 12 – 17
Session 5
Hematology/Oncology & Endocrine Conditions + Spurs Diagnoses include but are not limited to: childhood cancer, brain tumors, neurofibromatosis, bone marrow/stem cell transplant, blood disorders (hemophilia + thalassemia + neutropenia), sickle cell disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and adrenal insufficiency.
July 21 – 26
Session 6
Lung, Severe Allergic, & Immune System Conditions + Spurs Diagnoses include but are not limited to: moderate to severe asthma, cystic fibrosis (1 per session), lung disease, non-ventilator dependent tracheostomy, EOE, severe allergies (food and environmental), severe eczema, acquired immunodeficiency disorders, and juvenile arthritis.
July 30 – Aug. 4
Session 7
All Qualifying Diagnoses Campers that require highly specialized care and/or monitoring will be directed to the most appropriate session based on diagnosis expertise and resources available.
Please note: • We can host 1 camper with Cystic Fibrosis per session. • Volunteer Orientation starts one day before each session (note this is different for Session 4). • Sibling applications are considered based on space. Please submit an application for each sibling to be considered after first round acceptances. • The Spurs Program is a two-week, in-person camp experience for alumni (ages 18-21) who have aged out of our traditional residential camp. • 2026 Spurs Program: will be offered during Summer Camp sessions 5 and 6! • *FULL: Once a session is full, new applications will be placed on the waitlist. • **CLOSED: Once a session is closed, new applications cannot be accepted.
Camper applications for Summer Camp and Family Camp Sessions 1 & 2 will open on January 5, 2026! Click here for more important dates. As always, ALL Roundup River Ranch programs are completely free of charge to children with life-altering diagnoses and their families. Please contact our Camper Admissions Team with any questions at camper@roundupriverranch.org or 970.524.5713.
Want camp delivered to your doorstep? Sign up for Joy, Delivered! An out-of-the-box camp experience that supports and engages children in fun activities that inspire creativity, compassion, resilience, teamwork, and are screen-free. The magic and joy of camp is delivered to your doorstep with all the supplies, instructions, and activities necessary to experience the joy of camp individually or collaboratively. Campers must be between the ages of 7-17 and traditionally qualify for Roundup River Ranch. Learn more.
Current diagnoses we serve:
Moderate to Severe Asthma
Neurologic
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Liver Transplant
Cancer
Acquired Immunodeficiency
Lung Disease
Craniofacial
Kidney Disease
EoE
Congenital or Acquired Heart Disease
Brain Tumors
Blood Disorders
Celiac Disease
Dermatologic Disorders
Kidney Transplant
Liver Disease
Heart Transplant
Bone Marrow Transplant
Sickle Cell Disease
2026 Registration Process
Our 2026 applications for all Summer Camp sessions and Family Camps 1 & 2 will open January 5, 2026! Check back soon for more details.
Please Note:
Camp is 100% free of charge! So put away your wallets, ’cause you don’t have to pay a penny!
Applications completed after the first round deadline will be considered for remaining spots or the waitlist.
Roundup River Ranch will no longer be requiring the COVID vaccine for all campers, families, staff, or volunteers. Because of the population of children we serve, we still strongly and highly recommend the COVID vaccine to protect yourself and our campers. Learn more.
¿Necesita ayuda para completar su solicitud en español? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar! Póngase en contacto con el equipo de admisiones de campistas al 970.524.5713 o Camper@RoundupRiverRanch.org.
Completed Applications
Applications are considered incomplete until all materials have been submitted. Once completed, application materials may be uploaded (preferred), sent via mail, or fax:
Roundup River Ranch Attn: Camper Recruitment 8333 Colorado River Road Gypsum, CO 81637 Phone: 970.524.5713 Fax: 888.524.2477 camper@roundupriverranch.org
TAKE A TOUR AROUND THE CAMPSITE
Our picturesque camp sits nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado River. When camp is in session, Roundup River Ranch becomes 125-acres of total joy and laughter. Please check out our camp map detailing our camp program areas, buildings, and other camp features.
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.
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.
Roundup River Ranch has a full-time medical staff led by our Medical Director, who is a physician, and our Nursing Director. In addition, each summer we welcome volunteer physicians and nurses who come to camp to care for our campers, according to their medical specialty.Where will I sleep?
Our 24-hour medical facility, called The Depot, is equipped to handle everything. If children are on medication, their nurses will bring the medication to them on schedule each day, whether the campers are in the Dining Hall, at an activity area, or in their cabins.
At Roundup River Ranch, you will sleep in one of our eight 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.
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 what The Power of Camp is all about. You’ll find so many ways to challenge yourself, try new things and even show others how to accomplish something new. 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, Low Ropes, the Challenge Course (includes our climbing wall, zipline, and bouldering wall), 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.
All kinds of yummy stuff! Our campers love eating meals at Roundup River Ranch, it’s 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.
● Onsite Consent waiver
● Specialty Provider Clinic Note- diagnosed campers only
● Colorado State Immunizations
● Mental Health and Behavioral Support Form
● Accommodations and Considerations
● 2024-2025 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)
● Onsite Consent waiver
● 2024-2025 season flu vaccine
● COVID-19 Testing Consent
● Medical Information form-adult
● Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Dietary Restrictions form- adult