Hand Camp Colorado

Hand Camp Colorado is dedicated to supporting children with upper limb differences and their families, helping them build a strong, connected community.  Our goal is to empower children born with or experiencing upper limb differences through our transformative camp experience.  During our free annual camp, campers and their families come together to play games, learn new skills, participate in facilitated parent discussions, and create supportive relationships.  

Most of our campers are the only ones in their communities with an upper limb difference, making connections rare. Hand Camp Colorado provides a supportive network where kids and families feel seen and empowered. At camp, children build lasting friendships, gain skills, and grow in confidence, while parents can connect and share experiences in adult-only breakout sessions.

Hand Camp Colorado was established in 2022 by Dr. Jue Cao, drawing on the inspiration gained from his participation in a hand camp during his pediatric hand surgery fellowship at Texas Scottish Rite for Children. “I witnessed a life-changing moment when a young girl with symbrachydactyly taught another to tie her hair for the first time, bringing tears of joy. That moment showed me the unmatched power of peer support. Determined to create a haven for these children, I vowed to start a hand camp wherever life took me."

Why do we exist?

• 1 in 1,900 children are born with a limb difference, some are 1:200,000 (rare)
• Families often face isolation, lack of resources, and limited peer support
• Provides a safe and inclusive space to develop resilience and self-esteem
• Camp strengthens bonds between shared experiences
• Camp provides a support network for parents going through similar challenges and concerns