Camp Courageous welcomes individuals of all abilities and ages.

An individual must be medically stable and must not be a safety risk to self or others (behaviorally, sexually, or physically) in order to attend Camp Courageous. Camp reserves the right to determine an individual’s eligibility to attend camp or camper events.

Camp Courageous reserves the right to dismiss an individual at any time during their attendance at Camp based on illness, injury, or safety risk to themselves or others.

Camp Courageous Respite Weekends are for individuals who reside at home with a parent or guardian.  The weekend allows campers to experience Camp for a weekend at a time.  The weekend provides respite for families and caregivers while knowing their loved one is well taken care of.  The goals of the weekend are to focus on recreation, leisure and new experiences.

Before any individual can attend a camp date, a completed annual camper application is required. This helps camp staff to learn about the individual such as diagnosis, diet, behavior, and personal care needs.

Staff to camper ratios in a camp setting differ from daily living care ratios. If you’d like to help determine camper’s ratio, please refer to the care ratio guidelines below or contact camp staff.

1:1 Support

May have frequent verbal or physical outbursts that require staff intervention

Maybe unable to communicate needs

May have trouble participating in group setting or display inappropriate behaviors

May need extensive support with medical care needs

May need supervision during awake hours

May use manual wheelchair and need staff support to propel outside buildings

May need total support with activities of daily living

1:3 Support

May have occasional verbal or physical outburst that requires staff intervention

May have trouble with large social environments, does well in small groups

We need some support with medical care needs

We need verbal support with activities of daily living

Easily accepts support from staff

1:5 Support

Can respond well to new unfamiliar situations

Can enjoy group settings

Are independent with activities of daily living

Easily communicates wants and needs

Easily accept support from staff

After completing an annual camper application, you will be able to register for a camp session. Various camper sessions are available throughout the year depending on the age of the individual. Once a camper application has been reviewed, campers are placed into their requested session based on time stamp of registration and availability. A deposit is required to hold your spot two weeks after you receive your camp session placement.

Yes! We offer tours of camp throughout the year. Anyone is welcome to come on a tour. If you are interested in a tour, please call (319) 465-5916 or email info@campcourageous.org.

COLLEGE:

Most Counselors and Activity Specialists are college-age students. For those counselors who have graduated college they are seeking hands on experience working with individuals of varying abilities, ages and backgrounds. Many are majoring in Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy. Interested in becoming a counselor?  Click here to complete the application. 

HIGH SCHOOL

Counselors in Training (CIT) are usually high school students age 16-17 years old. They have an interest in working with individuals with disabilities and are gaining experience to become a Counselor or Activity Specialist in the future.

VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and are involved in many ways at camp. They are here throughout the year to assist with campers during weeklong overnights, daylongs, respite weekends, and the travel program. They will also be seen supporting dietary, housekeeping and maintenance. Volunteers range from business professionals, teachers, high school students, college nursing students, to local community members.

Interested in volunteer opportunities?  Click here to learn more.

**All staff and volunteers are required to do a background check prior to working with campers.

Yes, a deposit is required once you receive a confirmation email  indicating what camp session you will be attending.  A deposit is required to hold your spot.

Deposits for camp sessions must be received two weeks after receiving your confirmation camp session email. Failure to pay your deposit will result in removal from your camp session. Full payment for all camp sessions is due in full 30 days prior to arrival, or a full 10 days prior to respite weekends.

*If an individual uses waiver funding to pay for camp, a deposit is not required.

If you need to cancel a camp session for any reason, you must email or call Camp Courageous. It would be greatly appreciated to contact camp as soon as possible so another camper may be able to attend that camp session. A call to (319) 465-5916 ext 2310 is also helpful to be sure your message is received and if a cancellation is last minute.

For more information on camps cancellation policies please click here.

Camp Courageous Dietary Department accommodates a variety of special diets, food allergies, and food restrictions. If there are any diet changes after the application is completed, please inform the Dietary Department as soon as possible. 

If a camper has a unique diet, and needs a particular item, please contact the Camp’s Dietary Department to see if the product is one that is typically carried. 

Questions: Email: dietary @campcourageous.org or Call: 319-465-5916 ext. 2400.

Campers are grouped by gender, age, and ability level. This helps camp staff to meet the care ratios and give each camper the support they need. No more than six campers are in a group. The number of counselors in each group depends on the care ratio. There is always a minimum of two counselors per group.

7:30 a.m. Wake up

8:30 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Activity*

10:00 a.m. Activity*

11:00 a.m. Activity*

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. Rest hour/Quiet Time

2:30 p.m. Activity*

3:30 p.m. Activity*

4:30 p.m. Activity*

5:30 p.m. Cookout/Dinner

6:30 p.m. Evening Program

8:30 p.m. Head To Cabin

9:00 p.m. Bedtime

*Each camper group chooses their activities for the week on check-in day.  

Yes, camp will want the most accurate information on campers so camp can be sure to have a successful week. However, the application will be locked from changes 14 days prior to arrival date. If changes need to be made after this date, please contact camp. (319) 465-5916

Even though it may be difficult to leave your camper at camp for the first time or anytime, staff has found they are more likely to socialize, try new things and engage in the camp experience when they are on their own. However, camp has had respite workers attend with campers.

Domestic animals are not permitted at camp. Service dogs are welcome if they have been formally trained by a recognized service animal organization. Documentation of certification is required as well as documents from a veterinarian indicating the animal is up to date on vaccinations.  Care and management of service animals is the responsibility of the caregiver.