Founded in 1967 Camp Kostopulos wasn’t just a summer camp. It was a dream. Dan and Helen Kostopulos’s dream. They wanted to help people with disabilities. They created a place where everyone felt welcome. Camp Kostopulos opened its doors on 25 acres in Emigration Canyon. It was just 2.5 miles from Salt Lake City.
Camp Kostopulos offered more than just summer fun. It offered a chance for growth. Campers engaged in fishing horseback riding and arts and crafts. They tested their limits on the ropes course. Most importantly they made friends. Residential campers stayed four nights. Day campers returned home each evening.
But Camp Kostopulos wasn’t limited to summer. The Kostopulos Dream Foundation expanded the programs. Community-based programs ran from September to April. Campers participated in cooking classes dances and bowling. They celebrated holidays together. Camp Kostopulos became much more than a camp. It transformed into a year-round haven.
Camp Kostopulos is unique. It serves people of all abilities ages and backgrounds. Campers come from across the United States and even other countries. The facilities have been modernized. There are cabins a lodge and even yurts. There’s a swimming pool a playground and an equestrian center.
The Kostopulos Dream Foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life. They offer vocational rehabilitation and work experience programs. These help students transition into the workforce. Camp Kostopulos also hosts team-building events. These use ropes courses and other activities to help groups grow.
Camp Kostopulos is a testament to Dan and Helen Kostopulos’s legacy. Their big hearts and generosity continue to make a difference. Their vision lives on. It thrives in the laughter of campers the cheers of friends and the spirit of inclusion. The camp has indeed become much more than just a camp. It’s a place where dreams are built. It’s a place where people of all abilities find their place. It’s Camp Kostopulos.