Camp Courageous
Camp Courageous provides year-round recreational and respite care opportunities for individuals with disabilities, focusing on a wide range of adaptive activ...
▌ Editor's read Camp Courageous's website loads as a real camp site, offering year-round recreational and respite care for individuals with disabilities. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards. Founded by Marvin Selden, Jr., the camp has been operating for over 50 years, showcasing extensive experience in its specialized field. The camp is a nonprofit organization and mentions that all staff undergo background checks. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not explicitly listed, the camp emphasizes individualized care. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 340 reviews, with many reviewers praising the dedicated staff and the positive impact on campers. The camp offers overnight programs and has active social media presences on Instagram (@campcourageous) and Facebook (CampCourageous).
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 197650+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 5–21
Camp Courageous is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. specialty programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1976 (50 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 5–21
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 12007 190th St, Monticello, IA 52310
- Cost notes: Cost varies by session. Youth Summer Weeklong is $530 to $840.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Courageous
- What ages does Camp Courageous accept?
- Camp Courageous is open to children ages 5–21. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Courageous cost?
- Camp Courageous publishes $685/week for the standard session. Cost varies by session. Youth Summer Weeklong is $530 to $840. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Courageous's hours?
- Camp Courageous runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Courageous accredited?
- Yes — Camp Courageous is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 50 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Courageous?
- Camp Courageous is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 50 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Courageous provide lunch?
- Camp Courageous does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Courageous with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Courageous.
- Camp Courageous - Weeklong Sessions · Monticello, IA · Ages 6–21