Camp Guardian...Serving Special Campers!

Since 1977, Camp Guardian Foundation has provided individuals with physical and mental disabilities – along with Missouri National Guard citizen-soldiers and airman; Missouri National Guard veterans, retirees, family members and friends; and, special needs caregiving professionals, as well as students in child education, social work  and special needs related fields – a unique opportunity to participate each year in an exceptional, week-long summer camp experience known as Camp Guardian.

Previous campers have included those with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Opitz syndrome, autism, spina bifida, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome, traumatic brain injury and various other neurodevelopmental disorders and physical disabilities.

Camp Guardian camps offer an action-packed week filled with fun, wholesome, educational and socially beneficial activities. During the day, our campers enjoy a wide array of activities such as fishing, BB guns, arts & crafts, archery, paintball, swimming, boat rides, canoeing and paddle-boating. Evening festivities include dances, skits, hayrides, campfire gatherings and carnivals. Throughout the week, a talented kitchen staff serves wonderful, made-from-scratch meals.

Camp Guardian camps enhance the lives of both campers and volunteers alike.  Our special needs campers are treated to an exhilarating week of recreational and social activities that many would otherwise never have an opportunity to experience. In turn, our volunteer staff members are afforded a priceless opportunity to spend at least one highly memorable week each year with some truly extraordinary individuals - whose daily displays of optimism and courage, while diligently struggling to overcome their disabilities, never ceases to amaze, educate and inspire everyone around them.