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Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities (C.A.M.O.) is a division of Challenge Aspen a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic sports and life-skills development opportunities for those with physical and mental disabilities. C.A.M.O. specifically assists soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen who have suffered traumatic injuries while working to keep America safe. C.A.M.O. has been in existence since 2004, when the need for adaptive programs devoted to serving the injured military populations intensified. Since inception, over 500 wounded warriors have participated in C.A.M.O. programs, and it has since been recognized nationally as a state-of-the-art program. Since their initial C.A.M.O. experience, over 65% of C.A.M.O. participants have continued to participate in adaptive recreation, not solely with C.A.M.O. programs but back in their own communities as well. Over 90% of participants state that they have increased self confidence and self-esteem following their experience -- they say "If I can do this I can do anything." This is a tremendous measure of success. C.A.M.O. Estes Park, a satellite program of C.A.M.O., held its first event in February 2009.
The mission of the C.A.M.O. EP is to take small groups of recuperating service members and their spouses - free of cost - to Estes Park, Colorado, and provide challenging but uplifting environment for them to continue the non-stop work of physical, emotional, and relational healing. The journey from devastating injury back a life full of activity and healthy, mutually reinforcing relationships with family, friends and colleagues is long and requires a level of strength and courage few of us are ever called upon to demonstrate. David LaSalle, the C.A.M.O. Estes Park organizer, retired in March 2008 after 22 years in the Air Force and began seeking another way to continue working with his sisters and brothers in arms. Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where David had the privilege of directly supporting Army, USMC and Navy assault units, gave him a deep appreciation for the courage and sacrificial dedication of our nation’s front-line war fighters. David has now worked with Sarah Williams Volf, Director of C.A.M.O. programs, for four years. This year they hope to expand adaptive recreational opportunities for wounded warriors with a Fall Multi-Sport camp. C.A.M.O. EP Winter Camp participants engage in a five-day program of therapeutic snowshoe and cross-country ski activities in and around Rocky Mountain National Park with adaptive sports instructors. C.A.M.O. EP provides them with transportation to and from Estes Park, and working with a network of volunteer staff and generous partners in the Estes Park business community, we are able to provide any necessary winter clothing and all equipment, plus comfortable lodging and board. Trained staff members assist participants as they work through the physical, mental and emotional challenges encountered in the winter outdoors.

This September we are hoping to hold our inaugural C.A.M.O. EP Fall Multi-Sport Event. This 5-day program will be held during one of the most beautiful times of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. Fall is when the elk gather by the hundreds in and around town during the annual rutting season, and the Aspen trees are bursting with color. After an initial day of 4X4 jeep outings in the high country around Estes Park, participants will have the opportunity to hike, explore local streams with fly fishing instructor-guides, and even challenge themselves on the renowned rock climbing routes in the Estes Valley. During the evenings, participants can recover and relax while soaking in outdoor hot tubs, counting the stars and enjoying the bugling bull elk. The skills gained through these programs benefit the participants not just during recreational activities, but anytime they find themselves in the outdoors. The confidence earned will be invaluable for the rest of their lives. The joy experienced will build hope and create lifelong positive memories. One of the unique aspects of C.A.M.O. EP is that we invite all participants to bring a spouse or primary caregiver. Injury does not affect just the service member; the families of our wounded veterans also pay the daily costs of service to the nation. Along with medical professionals, family members and daily caregivers play an equally important role in the healing process of injured service members. C.A.M.O. EP is committed to equipping these family members with tools and opportunities to help their recovering loved ones.
Through observation and participation in these life-expanding activities, they will be able to better support the service member as she or he overcomes new obstacles. The program also allows families a critical opportunity to recharge their physical and emotional batteries during a week away from the daily, often grueling rehabilitative routine at home. In addition to the therapeutic aspect of these trips, our goal is that these outdoor activities will become part of an active outdoor lifestyle for the participants as they create their new normal.

How You Can Help
To continue realizing these opportunities for wounded service members and their families, we are seeking funding assistance from generous sponsors and donors before July 8th, 2012. A one-week camp for 10 participants/spouses costs approximately $16,000.

https://www.challengeaspen.org/make-a-donation.cfm

In the section marked "Honor an Individual or Loved One", indicate the donation is for "CAMO Estes Park"

You can also send checks to: CAMO Estes Park (David LaSalle) 2197 S. Sherman St. Denver, CO 80210 (Checks should be made out to Challenge Aspen with "CAMO Estes Park" annotated somewhere on the check)

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help some very deserving people.

Special thank you to The Gym and their support!


http://www.gym303.com/