Arthritis Foundation

Camp M.A.S.H. stands for Make Arthritis Stop Hurting. We are one of the longest running consecutive camps in the country. Camp M.A.S.H. was founded in 1989 with just six campers. Our largest year held 100 campers! One thing that makes us special is that 90% of our volunteers are former campers who want to give back to camp. They want to give our campers the same experience or an even better one than they had. Our campers can ask their counselors and program staff about their diagnoses or medications to help get an understanding from someone who is just like them.

At Camp KODA we strive to achieve the following: Increase camper understanding of rheumatic diseases and treatments. Foster connections between campers with rheumatic conditions. Increase camper independence and build their self-confidence. Expose campers to new skills and interests in an environment where they are safe to test their abilities. Activities at camp include kayaking, ropes course, climbing wall, archery, swimming, field games, crafts and educational programming.

KATFISH Family Camp provides a safe and inclusive environment for families with a child diagnosed with rheumatic disease to come together and enjoy a weekend of camp! Campers and family members of all ages participate in a variety of activities including swimming, rock wall climbing, ropes course, campfires and education around diagnoses and support! Throughout the weekend, our camp families foster strong relationships with others who understand their challenges.

Camp Sisu is hosted at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minnesota. Many of our volunteers and leadership team have a rheumatic disease themselves or a close connection to one. In recent years, camp has undergone changes, particularly following the pandemic. Even so, the goals of camp have remained the same. Over five days (four full days and two half days), Camp Sisu strives to: Increase camper's understanding of rheumatic diseases and treatments. Foster connections between campers with rheumatic conditions. Increase camper independence and build their self-confidence. Expose campers to new skills and interests in an environment where they are safe to test their abilities.

Camp Milagros provides a safe and inclusive environment for campers with a variety of rheumatic conditions to come together and enjoy a week of camp. Campers ages 8 to 17 participate in a variety of activities including swimming, tie-dying, rock wall climbing, ropes course, campfires and smores, cooking competitions, slip-and-slide and so much more! Throughout the week, our campers foster strong relationships with peers who understand the same struggles they are going through.

Camp JRA provides a safe and inclusive environment for campers with a variety of rheumatic conditions to come together and enjoy a week of camp. Campers ages 8 to 17 participate in a variety of activities including swimming, rock wall climbing, ropes course, campfires, fishing, archery and so much more! Throughout the week, our campers foster strong relationships with peers who understand their challenges. Campers will develop coping and advocacy skills, increase independence and confidence, and gain medical knowledge to further understand their diagnoses.

Camp Colorado strives to achieve the following: Increase camper understanding of rheumatic diseases and treatments. Foster connections between campers with rheumatic conditions. Increase camper independence and build their self-confidence. Expose campers to new skills and interests in an environment where they are safe to test their abilities. Activities at camp include kayaking, ropes course, climbing wall, archery, swimming, field games, crafts and educational programming.

Camp Joint Adventures provides a safe and inclusive environment for campers with a variety of rheumatic conditions to come together and enjoy a week of camp. Campers ages 8 to 17 participate in a variety of activities including kayaking, swimming (in a pool and lake), cardboard boat races, tie-dying, creek stomp, fishing, hayrides, campfires and smores, dance party, fizzy tag and so much more! Throughout the week, our campers foster strong relationships with peers who understand the same struggles they are going through.