Operation C.A.M.O. 
Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities

Mission

Operation C.A.M.O. provides recreational and cultural experiences for wounded warriors with cognitive or physical disabilities. We encourage family and friends to share in these experiences.  Wounded Warriors are able to realize their life potential, bridging the gap between injuries, and moving forward with life's challenges despite adversity. For more information about our recreational veteran programs, contact Sarah Williams Volf at (970) 923-0578 ext 205 or sarah@challengeaspen.com.

History

Challenge Aspen has offered recreational and cultural opportunities to Veterans with disabilities since the organizations inception in 1995. In 2005, as a result of funding through an anonymous grant, specialized programming was introduced to serve the increasing number of newly injured soldiers returning from war.

In 2005, Challenge Aspen introduced two programs, one in the winter and one in the summer.  In 2006, the Veteran’s program was expanded to three, with the addition of a wildly successful program called The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure, which brought 16 newly injured Veterans to the rugged terrain of the Grand Canyon, covering 226 miles in motorized boats, maneuvering their prosthetics on day hikes through creek beds and waterfalls.  The unique needs of a growing population of Veterans experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury led to the creation of two more camps, one specifically designed for this population of TBI Veterans, the very first TBI camp in the world, bringing the total number of Veteran camps to five.  In 2008, Challenge Aspen offered four winter camps – two for TBI – and four summer programs are already scheduled. 

The undeniable growth of Challenge Aspen Veteran’s Programs and the designation of Operation C.A.M.O. is the direct result of compelling results and impact on veterans and their families. The number of newly injured soldiers and need unfortunately continues to grow exponentially.

Operation C.A.M.O. is dedicated specifically to the our veterans, who face a multitude of physical, emotional and professional challenges, and who are committed to the hard work required to overcome these challenges extending far beyond their hospital stay. Currently, there is no government funding for these types of programs and Challenge Aspen is one of only a few organizations offering this type of therapy.

As one of only a few organizations offering this type of recreational and cultural therapy, it is the goal of Challenge Aspen that Operation C.A.M.O. would become the model program in the United States.

Challenge Aspen remains committed to veterans, and through Challenge Aspen and the creation of Operation C.A.M.O., veterans and their family will experience on-going support and life-long possibilities.

For more information or to get involved, contact: 

Sarah W. Volf, Director of Operation C.A.M.O. at 970.923.0578 / sarah@challengeaspen.org

www.challengeaspen.org