JA Camps
In-Person JA Camps Are Back
For kids with JA and other pediatric rheumatic conditions, our overnight camps give them the confidence and connections they need to help them navigate their own disease. We have restructured our JA camp program to better serve young patients and their families. Though we are not hosting as many in-person camps as before, we remain strongly committed to making the greatest impact possible for the JA community. Read more in our FAQs section below. COVID restrictions are in place for everyone’s safety, and camps may be cancelled at any time if local health conditions warrant cancellation.
2022 In-Person JA Camp: COVID-19 Policies
The following policies are minimum suggestions. Any camp medical director may choose to implement additional policies, as they see necessary.
Vaccination Requirements
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Proof of full vaccination for all campers, volunteers, facility staff and Arthritis Foundation staff. Proof of vaccination must be produced to gain access to the camp.
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See CDC guidance for vaccination recommendations by age and immune system status
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Stay home if you are sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19. Information about COVID testing will be provided well before the opening day of camp.
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Those who have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 21 days should not attend camp until they have met the CDC requirements for being in public spaces.
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Individuals will not be admitted to the camp without a signed waiver and proof of full vaccination, which must be uploaded into the registration system prior to attending. All attendees’ vaccination records will be reviewed and verified. Once approved, confirmation of registration approval will be emailed to you. Questions about registration status should be directed to your camp director.
Our COVID vaccine requirement was developed in partnership with a panel of medical experts. They reviewed guidance on vaccines for immunocompromised patients from sources like the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Travel and Check-in Precautions
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No transportation will be provided by the Arthritis Foundation. We strongly suggest no carpooling or ridesharing to camp.
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At least one parent/guardian per camper must be present at check-in on-site at camp.
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If a camper is flying or driving over 12 hours to attend camp, a parent must stay within a reasonable distance for emergency pickup or designate another adult within reasonable distance for pickup, for their camper to be accepted to a camp program.
On-site Precautions
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Because we will work to create a “camp bubble,” pediatric rheumatologists suggest we do not need to cohort campers, only indoor mask wearing where required by facility.
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We will work with each facility on cleaning, hand washing, water jug handling, and other hygiene.
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We will work with each facility to arrange COVID-friendly dining arrangements, if applicable, based on other circumstances:
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Outdoor dining
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Staggered and/or longer mealtimes
Camp Program
JA Camps Around the Country
Following is a list of JA camps the Arthritis Foundation is hosting, including dates and information about camper registration and volunteer applications.
VIRTUAL
National Virtual JA Camp
July 11 – 13
Registration is closed
CALIFORNIA
Camp Milagros
Livermore, CA
Registration is closed
COLORADO
JA Camp - Colorado
Deckers, CO
Registration is closed
GEORGIA
Camp Ache Away - Georgia
Lincolnton, GA
May 29 – June 3
Registration is closed
KANSAS/MISSOURI
Camp Joint Adventures
Lawson, MO
June 6 – 9
Registration is closed
MINNESOTA
JA Camp
July 24 – 29
Maple Lake, MN
Registration is closed
PENNSYLVANIA/NEW JERSEY
Camp JRA: CHAT
Millville, PA
July 17 – 22
Registration is closed
WISCONSIN
Camp M.A.S.H.
Wisconsin Dells, WI
August 7 -12
Registration is closed
NORTHEAST:
Camp Dartmouth-Hitchcock
August 14 – 20
Registration is closed
DAY CAMPS:
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Camp Esperanza
Due to COVID-19, Camp Esperanza will not host a week of camp in the summer as usual. Please check back for updates about a possible Camp Day event.
UTAH
Camp KODA
Due to COVID-19, Camp KODA will not host an overnight camp in the summer as usual.
Park City, UT
June 25 – Registration is closed
August 6 – Registration is closed
OTHER JA PROGRAMS:
WASHINGTON
KATFISH
Family Event
Auburn, WA
July 29 - 31
Registration is closed
Third-Party Camps
External Camps Joining Us
Camps hosted by other organizations are listed below. This is not a complete list. When you leave our website, the Arthritis Foundation is not responsible for actions you take or associated liabilities.
Camp Aldersgate Little Rock, AR
The Painted Turtle Lake Hughes CA
Camp Boggy Creek Eustis, FL
Victory Junction Randleman, NC
Double H Ranch Lake Luzerne NY
Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville VA
JA Camp FAQs for Families & Volunteers
Why are the camp program offerings changing?
Providing a safe, volunteer-driven camp model that best meets the needs of our youth has always been our priority. We assessed camps for the greatest overall impact and identified camp locations with the strongest volunteer leadership structure. These are all important factors that were considered in developing recommendations for our new camp program model.
Why are some camps continuing while others are not?
A volunteer task team was convened to discuss key considerations, which guided the decision to move forward with supporting select direct service camps only. Direct service camps are for children and teens with JA and led by Arthritis Foundation volunteers. We will no longer be supporting family camps, teen retreats or camps run by another organization (third party). This decision was based on safety, streamlining resources across all our camp programs, the presence of strong volunteer engagement opportunities and optimal family engagement. Direct service camps allow us to have the greatest overall impact based on how they are operated.
The direct service camps we run already have existing, robust volunteer support, including a commitment to take on a larger role in camp leadership positions, with limited support from staff.
Who was on the volunteer task team? How did they make these recommendations?
The volunteer task team guided us in “re-envisioning” our JA camp program strategy. This team — made up of JA parents, camp volunteers and health care professionals — offered guidance and input toward our new camp model.
Is this a permanent change?
What about family camps?
What about third-party camps?
Can our local community host a JA camp if we raise enough money?
With these changes, who will be staffing our camps?
Each Arthritis Foundation JA camp will have a trained staff person working with camp volunteer leadership for risk management purposes. We are very confident in the ability of our volunteers to continue delivering safe and memorable experiences for all campers.
How can previous camp volunteers stay engaged?
The Arthritis Foundation’s Continued Commitment to the JA Community
We also encourage kids, families and volunteers to share ideas, be creative and continue to think about ways we can best serve the JA community together.
Do you have other questions or concerns not covered in our FAQ?
Past JA Events
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
Flashback on Arthritis Foundation JA Camps
National Supporting Sponsors
Thank you to our 2022 National JA Camps sponsors for making this memorable experience possible.
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