Round Up River Ranch

What if there was a place that provided week long summer camp, free of charge, for kids with an array of chronic conditions?  A camp where each camper had their own dedicated counselor, all the medical support needed, on-site nurses, modified activities and FUN at every turn?  That place is right here in our backyard.  It's nestled into the mountains near Vail and has become a treasured little piece of earth for our family.

Paul Newman started these Serious Fun Camps three decades ago and they continue to spread.  Did you know that 100% of the proceeds from his products go toward his non-profit?  FRIENDS....this is some amazing work his family foundation is doing.  Dude attended his first 6 day overnight camp 2 summers ago and did amazing.  He learned how to rock climb, zip line, shoot an arrow, and be away from Mommy dearest.  This year we went to Family camp in October, which is a weekend experience for the entire fam.  We had our own room in a cabin, a dedicated counselor to meet our every needs and allow our children to maul him over and over and over again.  They provided meals, organized activities, regular dance parties....it was remarkable.  Everyone there has a kiddo living with a chronic condition and each week they do a different category of conditions so you're paired with people who are walking a similar walk.

Dude will be attending on his own again this summer.  And he'll taking the bus provided this time around. If you know someone raising a kiddo with a chronic condition, check their website out.  They have camps all over the country and they're ALL free.

That would be a black widow.  

There was not a day that this kid was not wearing a ridiculous costume concoction from the dress up room.

Dude had never climbed a climbing wall, higher than 6 feet BEFORE this weekend.  He strapped in, approached the wall and climbed his little self right on up.  Didn't look down or back.  We stood in awe.  Like, our mouths were wide open the entire 8 minutes.  We were so proud of him.  

And then this one followed in her big bro's footsteps.  First time.

Jumping off to do the zipline took a bit more time and courage, but naturally, as soon as I stopped videoing him he took the plunge.  And then wanted to do it again and again and again.  

Rea Rea and counselor Rea Rea.  It was a thing.

PJ is now one of our most trusted and loved babysitters.  

Had we ever worn matching shirts as a family?  No we had not.   But we were proud to sport these.

Note the bacon costume.  What BINGO without a little bacon after all?