Camp Courageous

04/26/2026

04/26/2026

Omelets are cooking!
Join us today Sunday, April 26th from 8am-Noon for food and family fun!

04/23/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

We were excited to welcome a group of Cascade 8th graders for Cougar Pride Day! They spent the morning making a big impact—cleaning up sticks, pinecones, and pine needles, and helping remove invasive honeysuckle.
We can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication to getting areas cleaned up just in time for the Omelet Breakfast!

04/21/2026

Respite: PROM💃🕺 - Who doesn’t love a good dance, especially PROM. During the Prom Respite our Campers and Volunteers had a great time getting ready and dancing the night away. They also got the opportunity to meet camps new goats, climb the rockfall, and make their own flowers for Prom. We had some great volunteers from University of Northern Iowa, University of Dubuque Nursing, and Allen College. Along with visitors from First Resources bringing some of their clients, and The Ability Experience helped clean up camp. All of which attended our Prom! New friends were made, and fun was had!

Check out the full weekend’s photos here:
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04/20/2026

🌟Courageous Spotlight: Jim Zimmerman!🌟
For 45 incredible years, Jim—better known as Mr. Z—has been a dedicated volunteer at Camp Courageous!

You’ll often find him at the train, helping campers enjoy one of the most relaxing and scenic experiences at camp. Not only has he spent countless hours there, but he also played a key role in construction of the tracks—creating lasting memories for generations of campers.

04/19/2026

Spring is in full action at Camp today!!

Courageous is hosting Respite Weekend and First Resources Corp. camper group-weekend camp, Prom Edition! Students from Allen College - UnityPoint Health are assisting with the weekend, with the Courageous Health Services team and volunteers from The Ability Experience are hard at work transforming the volunteer equipment building. The volunteers will all also join the campers as special guests to their Prom!

The Zimmerman Family, including their 5th generation volunteer, held down the fort in the front office running the camp store, greeting guests, running the camp store for the campers AND blowing up balloons for the Courageous Prom!!

This afternoon, Max from Max's Medical Transportation, LLC along with his owners/drivers, Nick and Stefany paid a surprise visit to all of the campers!!

There was also a bridal shower hosted at the Courageous sill barn and Prom for the Maquoketa Community School District High School
is kicking off at Durgin Pavilion!!

04/18/2026

Camper Kelsey Ann Tweden…An Incredible Treasure…Passes At 25-Years-Old…. - It is with great sadness Camp Courageous recently learned that long time camper, and dear friend to all, Kelsey Ann Tweden, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Iowa City passed away. She was born on February 26, 2001, in Billings, Montana, entering the world four months premature and weighing just 1 lb. 8 oz. From the moment she arrived, fighting against the odds, Kelsey brought light, joy, and love into the lives of everyone around her. She had the most beautiful smile that could light up any room and possessed the purest, most innocent heart. Even with the countless surgeries and procedures throughout her life, she would still find a way to have a smile on her face. At 25, she still believed in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, a reflection of her childlike wonder and gentle spirit. Kelsey loved everything bright and colorful. She found joy in puzzles, beating everyone at memory games, crafts, bingo, shopping, and Dora the Explorer. A true Swiftie, Taylor was always playing—even in her final hours. Kelsey had an impressive collection of stuffed animals and cozy blankets that brought her comfort and joy throughout her life. She especially loved spending quiet time cuddling with her beloved dogs. Over the years, Elway, Mackey, Champ and Brownie held a special place in her heart as her best friends. Above all, Kelsey made a huge difference in the lives of everyone she touched. Knowing her made people better—kinder, more joyful, and more appreciative of the simple beauties in life. Her presence was a gift that left lasting imprints on all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her family will cherish the memories of her laughter, her competitive spirit, and the way her presence made every day brighter. She especially loved spending time with her big sister, Hailey, whom she looked up to and her personal chef, Jake. She was so looking forward to getting to know and spoiling her new niece, Murphy. Kelsey is survived by her loving parents, Cory and Jennifer Tweden; sister and brother-in-law, Hailey and Jake Brandt; along with many additional relatives. A celebration of life will be held June 13th and burial arrangements are pending; details will be announced by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kelsey’s memory to two of her favorite places where she loved to spend time: Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa (www.campcourageous.org/donate); or Special Kids Special Families in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These programs provide outstanding services and experiences for individuals with special needs. Everyone loved Kelsey at Camp Courageous…and loved how her family became 100% involved in the Camp. Cory was Store Leader for the Iowa City Scheels and introduced 1,000s to the Camp Courageous.

04/18/2026

Camp Update for April 18th, 2026 Listen now at https://campcourageous.org/podcast/camp-update-for-april-18th-2026

04/17/2026

We’re looking for a Full-Time Registered Nurse (RN) to join our incredible Nursing Team!

If you enjoy working with individuals with disabilities and love being outdoors, this could be the perfect fit for you!

👉 Check out full details and apply here: https://campcourageous.org/apply-for-job/

04/17/2026

Adventure Training! - The Camp Courageous Program Team spent five days learning all about the adventure elements offered at Courageous! Staff learned how to safely facilitate activities such as the ropes course, tree climb, rock walls, and the high adventure course! We cannot wait to see all of the campers participate in the elements with our newly trained staff!

04/15/2026

Camp Courageous is seeking dedicated, enthusiastic, open hearted individuals to join our Program Team for the summer! If you or someone you know may be interested please send them to our website or email Marnie at mwiemann@campcourageous.org!!

It will be the best summer ever!