Letter: A step forward for youth mental health in Eagle County
About two years ago, we at Roundup River Ranch, began asking a simple and important question: How can we utilize the power of camp to help young people facing behavioral and mental health challenges? This question sparked a journey — one that brought us into conversations with Vail Health Behavioral Health, Your Hope Center, and our peers in the SeriousFun Children’s Network.
Together, we imagined how Roundup River Ranch could become a part of the solution. And this summer, we’re taking the first step.
From June 26 to July 1, we’ll host our first Behavioral Health and Wellness camp session for children ages 7 to 17. A second session will follow on July 6 to 9 for ages 7 to 12, designed specifically for Eagle County residents in partnership with Vail Health Behavioral Health. Both sessions offer a setting for healing and growth to happen naturally, surrounded by kids going through similar experiences, and like all our programs, it’s free of charge, medically-supported and provides the empowering experiences that define our mission — equestrian activities, a challenge course, zipline, campfires and laughter.
Camp offers something uniquely powerful for these children. It’s a safe space away from daily pressures, where they can connect with friends, build confidence and simply be kids. This environment is not only safe and protected but also creates an opportunity to practice and apply the skills learned in therapy. And most importantly, these campers can forge a sense of community and decrease the isolation spurred by behavioral health concerns.
While this summer’s camp is designed specifically for Eagle County youth, we see this as just the beginning.To learn more about our Behavioral Health and Wellness camps this summer, please visit RoundupRiverRanch.org/schedule.
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Sarah Johnson, president and CEO, Roundup River Ranch
