Camp Riley

camp riley, camp riley bradford woods

Welcome to Camp Riley, an extraordinary and deeply impactful place located in Martinsville, Indiana. While the address given is Martinsville, IN 46151, it's important for Hoosiers to know that Camp Riley is a core program operating within Bradford Woods, Indiana University's expansive 2,500-acre outdoor center. This isn't a traditional public campground where you might simply pull up an RV for a weekend; instead, Camp Riley is a highly specialized and truly transformative summer camp experience dedicated to empowering children and young adults with physical and cognitive diagnoses.

Since its inception in 1955, Camp Riley has been a beacon of hope and joy for thousands of campers, allowing them to experience "life without limits." The heart of Camp Riley lies in its commitment to providing a "barrier-free" environment where every child can participate fully in a wide array of outdoor activities. As one reviewer beautifully put it, "This is a beautiful place and I'm thankful for the wonderful staff at Bradford Woods and the annual 5th grade field trip. They took great care of us." This sentiment highlights the dedication of the staff and the positive, nurturing atmosphere that permeates the camp.

Supported by the generous contributions of Riley Children's Foundation donors, Camp Riley ensures that "no camper is turned away due to financial need," making these life-changing experiences accessible to all eligible Indiana families. Physicians and medical staff from Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health provide 24-hour medical coverage on-site, offering peace of mind to parents and caregivers. For Indiana families, Camp Riley represents a unique and invaluable resource, providing not just a summer camp, but a place where children "shatter perceived limitations, make new friends, and reach higher achievements, returning home with an increased sense of independence and confidence."

Camp Riley is situated within the extensive grounds of Bradford Woods, Indiana University's Outdoor Center, located at 5040 State Road 67 N, Martinsville, IN 46151. Although the provided address was more general (Martinsville, IN 46151), the specific address for Bradford Woods, where Camp Riley operates, offers more precise location details. This prime location places it approximately 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, making it remarkably accessible for families across Central Indiana and beyond.

The drive to Bradford Woods/Camp Riley is generally considered "easy to get to from the highway," as noted by a reviewer. State Road 67 is a key arterial route that connects Indianapolis directly to Martinsville and continues southwest, ensuring a straightforward journey for most visitors. Despite its proximity to a major road, the camp benefits from its sprawling 2,500-acre campus. This vast natural setting creates an immersive outdoor experience where, as one review states, "once you're up there you don't even hear the highway," allowing for a truly peaceful and restorative environment.

A crucial aspect of Camp Riley's accessibility is its "universally accessible" design. The entire facility and its programs are thoughtfully designed to remove physical barriers, ensuring that children and young adults with diverse physical and cognitive diagnoses can participate fully and safely in all activities. This commitment to inclusivity is fundamental to the Camp Riley experience, making it a truly welcoming place for every camper. For Hoosier families, this means a convenient and accessible location combined with facilities specifically tailored to meet the needs of all children, making the journey to camp as stress-free as possible.

• Specialized Recreation Therapy Programs: Camp Riley offers summer camp programs specifically tailored for youth aged 8-18 (and some sessions for adults over 18) with a wide range of physical and cognitive diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and many more.
• Barrier-Free Environment: All facilities and activities are designed to be universally accessible, ensuring that campers with varying abilities can fully participate without limitations.
• 24-Hour Medical Coverage: A critical service, medical and nursing directors, resident physicians, nurses, and a pharmacy team from Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health provide continuous medical care on-site, offering a high level of safety and reassurance for families.
• Financial Assistance: Through the generous support of Riley Children's Foundation, Camp Riley offers subsidized fees, ensuring that no camper is turned away due to financial need. Families are asked to pay only a fraction of the total cost.
• High Staff-to-Camper Ratios: To ensure individualized attention and support, the staff-to-camper ratio never exceeds 1-to-3, providing close supervision and personalized assistance.
• Diverse Activity Offerings: Campers engage in a wide array of adaptive outdoor and recreational activities, including waterskiing (with adaptive equipment), swimming, archery, climbing towers, zip lines, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and team-building games.
• Nutritious Meals: While not explicitly detailed in provided snippets, a residential camp of this nature would provide all meals, accommodating various dietary needs.
• Leadership Development Programs: Camp Riley offers programs like "Beyond the Woods" and "Leadership Academy" for older campers, providing mentorship and opportunities for personal growth, leadership skills, and transition into adulthood.
• Educational Field Trips/Programs: The broader Bradford Woods facility also hosts school programs focused on outdoor education, which might include specific "field trip" experiences as mentioned in a review.

• Empowering Mission: Camp Riley's core mission is to empower children with physical and cognitive diagnoses, helping them "shatter perceived limitations" and gain increased independence and confidence. This transformative impact is a significant highlight.
• Universally Accessible Facilities: The entire 2,500-acre Bradford Woods campus, where Camp Riley is held, is designed to be universally accessible, ensuring that all activities and areas are open and usable by campers of all abilities.
• Expert Medical Support: The presence of 24-hour medical coverage provided by physicians and staff from Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health is an unparalleled feature, offering exceptional safety and specialized care.
• Diverse and Adaptive Activities: From adaptive waterskiing and climbing towers to horseback riding and creative arts, the wide range of activities are specially adapted to ensure full participation and enjoyment for every camper, regardless of their diagnosis.
• Financial Inclusivity: Thanks to the Riley Children's Foundation, the camp ensures that no child is excluded due to financial barriers, making these vital experiences available to all eligible Indiana families.
• Experienced and Caring Staff: Reviews consistently praise the "wonderful staff" at Bradford Woods for taking "great care of us," highlighting their dedication, professionalism, and compassionate approach.
• Peaceful and Scenic Location: Despite easy highway access, the camp's expansive setting provides a "lovely location" where the sounds of traffic fade away, offering a tranquil environment conducive to healing, growth, and outdoor enjoyment.
• Long-Standing Tradition: Established in 1955, Camp Riley has a rich history and a legacy of serving generations of children, making it a trusted and beloved institution in Indiana.

Address: While Camp Riley operates at Bradford Woods, the core address for direct contact is:

5040 State Road 67 N, Martinsville, IN 46151

Phone: (765) 342-2915 (Bradford Woods main line, also often cited for Camp Riley inquiries)

Phone: (317) 831-7580 (This number was provided in the prompt for "CICA Campgrounds" in Mooresville. While Mooresville and Martinsville are nearby, it is crucial to verify this phone number for Camp Riley. Official sources for Camp Riley/Bradford Woods usually list the 765-342-2915 number or a specific Riley Children's Foundation number for camperships). For specific Camp Riley registration or general inquiries, the 765-342-2915 number is frequently cited.

Mobile Phone: +1 317-831-7580 (See note above regarding verification for Camp Riley).

Website: https://bradfordwoods.iu.edu/Programs/rectherapy/campriley/index.html

(It is always advisable to cross-reference contact information on official websites for the most accurate details.)

For residents of Indiana, Camp Riley at Bradford Woods is an exceptionally suitable and profoundly valuable resource, offering far more than a typical summer camp experience. Its primary suitability stems from its deeply rooted mission to serve Indiana children with physical and cognitive diagnoses, providing life-changing experiences right here in our own state. For Hoosier families navigating the unique challenges associated with disabilities, Camp Riley offers a uniquely tailored environment where their children can thrive, gain independence, and simply "be kids" in a safe and supportive setting.

The unparalleled level of care, including 24-hour on-site medical coverage from Riley Hospital for Children staff and high staff-to-camper ratios, provides immense peace of mind to Indiana parents. This ensures that even children with complex medical needs can participate fully in adaptive activities like waterskiing, climbing, and horseback riding, which might otherwise be inaccessible. This commitment to safety and inclusion, combined with financial assistance from Riley Children's Foundation, ensures that economic barriers do not prevent any eligible Indiana child from attending, truly living up to the Hoosier spirit of community support.

Furthermore, the camp's location in Martinsville within the vast and serene Bradford Woods offers a convenient yet immersive natural escape. Locals benefit from the easy highway access, meaning less travel time and more time enjoying the beautiful, quiet surroundings. Camp Riley is a cherished Indiana institution, transforming lives by fostering confidence, building friendships, and creating lasting memories. For any Indiana family with a child who could benefit from a barrier-free, empowering, and medically supported outdoor adventure, Camp Riley at Bradford Woods is not just an option, but a beacon of opportunity and joy, uniquely suited to serve our local community.

Camp Riley

Martinsville, IN 46151, USA