Juvenile Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation, Great West Region offers a variety of juvenile arthritis (JA) programs and resources to support kids with arthritis and their families. We host fun and educational events throughout the year, provide the most up-to-date information on disease management and arthritis research, and facilitate connections for JA families.
Juvenile Arthritis Camps
JA Camps exist to provide education, networking and fun for kids and teens with arthritis, and in some cases, for the whole family! Campers take part in activities designed to help them increase self-confidence, improve arthritis self-management, and develop leadership and communication skills all while making new friends who share similar challenges. At our family camps, parents/caregivers and siblings get to join in the fun too!
Visit the JA Camp Event Pages below to find out more information about each program.
Camp Arctic - Camp K on Kenai Lake, AK
4 day camp program for Alaskan kids with JA and a parent/guardian (offered by the Southcentral Foundation)
June 5 - 8, 2013
Download registration form
View the Camp Arctic video
Camp Milagros - Livermore, CA
5 day camp program for kids with JA, ages 8-13
July 10-14, 2013
Download the application packet
JA Camp - Estes Park, CO
6 day camp program for kids with JA, ages 8 - 16
July 13-18, 2013
KAT-FISH Camp - Stanwood, WA
3 day camp program for the whole family
July 26-28, 2013
Download camp brochure
Register online
CAMP JAM - Canby, OR
3 day camp program for the whole family
August 9-11, 2013
Download camp brochure
Register online
Camp Limberlimbs Montana - Gold Creek, MT
3 day camp program for kids with JA, ages 6 - 17
September 20-22, 2013
JA Family Programs
JA Family Programs are fun-filled days for the whole family! Kids and teens enjoy activities and games while parents participate in educational sessions facilitated by pediatric rheumatologists and other health professionals. Educational sessions address topics such as disease management techniques, updates in medication and treatment, parent support, family dynamics, transition and school issues.
JA Family Programs offer the opportunity to meet other families who face similar challenges and to get your questions answered by a health professional in a relaxed, non-clinical setting.
• JA Family Day – Denver, CO - October 26, 2013
• JA Family Day – Salt Lake City, UT - October 5, 2013
• JA Family Day – Boise, ID - November 9, 2013
Parent to Parent Programs
The Arthritis Foundation supports parent-led networking events where families of children with JA can gather to share information and tips while kids get to know each other in a fun, social environment. One-on-one parent connections can also be facilitated by the Arthritis Foundation in more remote areas. Request information about Parent to Parent programs.
- Rockies Baseball Game - June 8, 2013, Denver, CO
- Cocoa Party - December 8, 2013, Seattle, WA
- Jingle Bell Run / Walk Decoration & Pizza Party - December 13, 2013, Anchorage, AK
Teen Retreats
The Teen Retreat was started specifically for teens, ages 14-18 and in high school, with juvenile arthritis. The program seeks to give teens information on self-managing their arthritis at a time when independence, self-reliance and peer pressure become important parts of a teenager’s life. The Teen Retreat offers a safe environment for teenagers to get to know one another and grow individually as well. We hope that they will increase valuable life skills, such as utilizing public transportation, staying safe in a new city, and the value of connecting with other teenagers who understand personally the challenges that their peers work through daily. This discovery and personal growth will assist each of these teens in developing lifelong skills in many aspects of life, including self-management of their disease.
- Teen Retreat - October 11-13, 2013, Sausalito, CA
JA Welcome Kit
There are many questions and concerns when a child is diagnosed with a rheumatic disease. The Arthritis Foundation’s JA Welcome Kit answers common questions and provides resources to help reduce the worries a family may have about juvenile arthritis. The JA Welcome Kit includes educational articles, informational brochures, upcoming event information and more!
Contact us to receive your JA Welcome Kit today!
Advocacy: Powerful Voices for Change
Juvenile arthritis is a major health concern, yet many people are unaware that juvenile arthritis even exists. Kids with arthritis and their families each have a unique story to tell that can raise awareness about JA and impact policy decisions on a local and national level. The Arthritis Foundation can teach families how to use their voice to educate government officials, school nurses, teachers, health professionals about arthritis and its unacceptable impact. Learn more about our advocacy efforts.
The National Juvenile Arthritis Conference
Pulse aquí para encontrar información en español sobre la Conferencia Nacional sobre la Artritis Juvenil.
Join families from across the United States for the 2013 National Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Anaheim, California, July 18-21, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.
The Juvenile Arthritis Conference offers a chance to meet other families going through similar challenges, share stories, learn new techniques for managing juvenile arthritis, and have fun!
The whole family is invited! Specific educational tracks focus on issues relating to parents, teens/young adults, children affected by arthritis and their siblings.
Download the conference registration brochure.
AFamilies E-newsletter
AFamilies is the e-newsletter for kids, teens and young adults affected by juvenile arthritis, their families and all those who support them. This e-newsletter presents stories, perspectives and resources from across the entire Great West Region.
Read current issue
Informative Brochures, Books & Resources
Learn more about childhood rheumatic diseases, arthritis management techniques, school issues and more through the Arthritis Foundation’s print and online resources. Many of these items are free.
Printed resources include:
Arthritis in Children
Juvenile Arthritis Back to School resources
When Your Student Has Arthritis (a guide for teachers)
Raising a Child with Arthritis (book)
Don’t see what you need? Contact Andrea Aho about JA resources and opportunities to connect with other families across the Arthritis Foundation, Great West Region.
