What is Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities (CAMO)?

Challenge Aspen is a widely respected nonprofit organization that helps individuals and groups with disabilities take advantage of some of life’s most exhilarating adventures. Since 1995, Challenge Aspen’s programs have opened the spectacle and grandeur of the Colorado Rocky Mountains to people with disabilities.

Challenge Aspen has served veterans with disabilities and their families since its inception. In 2005, in response to the increasing number of injured servicemen and women returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the organization began creating specifically designed year-round programs for this population. Outdoor recreation is increasingly recognized as a healing tool for wounded warriors and is considered by many to be instrumental in their rehabilitation back into daily life.

Due to the popularity, demand and success of these programs, Challenge Aspen launched a new division in 2008 called CAMO (Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities).

CAMO’s mission is to raise awareness and educate, honor and empower injured service members and their families through quality recreational and educational experiences.

According to CAMO’s director, Sarah Williams Volf, the program’s purpose is:

• To be the world leader in providing adaptive recreational and rehabilitation services to

injured service members

• To provide unique, quality programs and experiences to introduce injured service

members to winter and summer adaptive recreation

• To design specific activities and resources to meet the needs of the injured service

members and their caregivers

• To raise awareness and increase year-round opportunities for recreation across the

country for injured service members

• To provide training and education for injured service members, caregivers/family

members, instructors, volunteers and the community at large (raising public

awareness)

• To empower and inspire injured services members and their families to take their

rehabilitation to the next level

• To showcase and demonstrate adaptive equipment and techniques