Camp Paha
Camp Paha is a unique summer day camp for children and young adults with disabilities living in Lakewood and surrounding communities. Enjoy swimming, sports, games, nature, music, sensory, arts, crafts, and field trips in a safe, challenging, and fun environment. Camp Paha is a licensed Colorado Child Care program for campers ages 6-17. Paha Adults in Transition (PAT) is for adults ages 18-25.
Camper scholarships are available through the nonprofit, Friends of Paha. Visit FriendsofPaha.org for more information.
Friends of Paha
Thank you for a fun 2025 Camp Paha Season! Please check back in early 2026 for Camp Paha 2026 registration dates.
Camp Paha & Paha Adults in Transition
The purpose of Camp Paha is to provide recreational, educational and therapeutic opportunities in a safe, quality, and fun outdoor and indoor day camp environment. We operate on a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio. The program is designed to incorporate quality supervision with an emphasis on the social, intellectual, and emotional growth of each camper and operates in compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act. Together with parents and caregivers, we will work to provide a positive summer experience.
Goals
- To provide access and supported exposure to recreation opportunities and new experiences within camp and the local community.
- To provide an inclusive experience where campers can be members of a group in a day camp setting.
- To provide an opportunity to develop awareness about self, others and the environment.
- To encourage independence.
- To provide opportunities for fellowship and fun for our campers.
Camper Activities & Outings
- Camper Activities vary but generally include Sports and Games, Arts and Crafts, Nature and Science, Music and Sensory, Drama and Theater, Swimming, etc. Generally, activities will fall within those categories.
- Community Outing: Campers will take a school bus to a variety of exciting and educational places such as the Sensory Gym, Zoo, Museums, and much more!
Enrollment Criteria/Continued Camp Participation
- Camp Paha is intended to meet the needs of many different individuals with disabilities. We must, at all times, look out for the safety and well-being of all the campers. Camp Paha is a good fit for most campers. We work very hard to ensure the safety of all our campers and staff. However, in some instances, Camp Paha is not an ideal fit.
- We are a summer day camp with recreation and child enrichment as our primary goals. To provide this safe and positive camp experience, our camp is staffed with one staff person supervising every four campers. If your camper typically requires 1:1 assistance in other settings such as school, please reach out to the Camp Directors to set up a meeting.
- Parents/Guardians may choose to withdraw their camper at any time during the summer. . Parents/guardians must notify a Paha Director either by phone or in writing of the withdrawal from camp and their reasons for doing so. Refunds will be handled on a case by case basis.
Financial Assistance
The Lakewood Community Resources Division has a scholarship program available to Lakewood Residents. For more information on the Lakewood Possibilities Fund please visit www.lakewood.org/possibilities .
Additionally, Friends of Paha, a nonprofit board that supports Camp Paha and Paha Adults in Transition offers Camperships based on need. The Campership application can be found on their website. Camp Paha is happy to work with Community Center Boards (DDRC, Developmental Pathways, etc.), if your camper has alternative funding that can be used to pay for Camp Paha. Lakewood residents may also apply to the Lakewood Possibilities Fund to receive funding from the City.
Waitlist Information
- We try our best to accommodate all campers into Camp Paha. However, we must maintain the quality of the program and therefore must limit the number of campers we can accept into Camp Paha.
- Individuals who are on the waitlist will be notified by phone or email when they have been promoted off the waitlist. If the camper profile is incomplete and/or intention of attendance are not communicated within 24 hours of our notification phone call or email or you are no longer interested, we will go to the next name on the waiting list. Your prompt communication is appreciated to help ensure your camper’s admittance to camp.
Contact us
To speak with someone about Camp Paha or Paha Adults in Transition, please contact Therapeutic Recreation staff.
By email: paha@lakewood.org
By phone: 303-987-4867
Support Paha
Friends of Paha, a nonprofit organization (not a City of Lakewood entity), helps support our summer day programs. Without this support, tuition and fees would more than double, making these programs too expensive for some. Please consider supporting Friends of Paha in their noble mission.
Friends of Paha
Campers and staff pose for a group photo.