About Us

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

― Maya Angelou

Camp River Run offers children aged 7-17, who are coping with life-threatening illnesses or ongoing medical conditions, an enriching and entirely free summer camping experience in Hidden Paradise, Idaho. This 4-day camp allows children to engage in nature, fun activities, games, swimming, and more, with comprehensive medical support provided throughout their stay. Additionally, Camp River Run conducts three 1-day camps in Treasure and Magic Valleys, designed to help parents understand the transformative impact of camp.

Key aspects of our medical support include:

Skilled Health Care Staff: All camps have trained and licensed medical personnel present.
Safety Assurance: Volunteers and staff are CPR and First Aid certified, ensuring 24-hour care availability.
Personalized Volunteer Duties: Individual camper needs are assessed during the application process and one-on-one visits with families to tailor support.

The organization prioritizes camper safety, comfort, and a joyful outdoor experience while maintaining high standards of medical care.

Camp River Run relies on the generous support of volunteers, individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors to provide this entirely free camp experience to children across Idaho. The cost to support a single camper is $1,500. If you would like to donate and make a meaningful impact on a child's life, please contact us or visit our website.

We are always seeking camp volunteers.

Group of women wearing matching yellow Camp River Run shirts pose together on a dock beside a scenic mountain lake.

Camper in a green Camp River Run shirt roasts a marshmallow over a fire pit while others sit nearby at an outdoor gathering.

Our Mission:

Inspire

To provide youth who are battling medical conditions an outdoor camp experience they would not otherwise be able to enjoy.

Our Vision:

Experience

By empowering children with medical conditions to embrace their individuality and fostering a sense of belonging through meaningful connections and joyful activities, our summer camp cultivates the magic of being a kid.

Our History & Our Future

Camp River Run was created because of a dream by founder Shawna Van Beek. It was her dream that started it all.

“My dream of starting a camp for kids affected by life-threatening illnesses began with a 17-year-old young lady who was in and out of remission with her battle with cancer. Despite multiple hospital visits and uncertain prognosis, she always remained so positive and optimistic about the future. One summer’s afternoon over ice cream I asked her what made her tick; what she said impacted me for the rest of my life.

She told me that what kept her going was knowing that she would have the opportunity to serve as a junior camp counselor later that year at a camp for kids with cancer. She went on to say that going to that camp every summer as a child made her and all the other kids feel “normal” for one week out of the year. That hit me like a ton of bricks—that these kids just want to feel normal—and going to camp is how they achieve that feeling.

It was that day that sparked my life’s dream, and I am so happy to say that with the help of six other wonderful members on the Camp River Run Board of Directors, that dream came true and the first week of camp in Cascade was held in July 2008!”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CAMP RIVER RUN, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US.