Sioux City, iA
About CAMP
WHERE SMILES HAPPEN
Camp High Hopes offers exceptional recreational activities for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, special needs, and chronic illnesses. Our compassionate team removes barriers and fosters physical, social, and emotional growth while ensuring safety and independence. We provide tailored programs, adaptive equipment, low staff-to-camper ratio, and personalized attention. Inclusivity, empathy, respect, and fun are at our core, and we aim to empower every individual to flourish and grow.
Our Story
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Camp High Hopes has been a beacon of joy and inclusivity for children, teens, and adults with disabilities since its inception in 2004. Founded on a picturesque 90-acre site just on the east edge of Sioux City, IA, complete with a serene lake, this extraordinary haven embarked on a journey to offer fun, safe, and adaptive recreational experiences to all its campers. With site work commencing in 2008, the Camp High Hopes family set about transforming their dream into reality. Nurtured through three momentous capital campaigns - "Where Smiles Happen" (2010), "S'more Smiles" (2014), and "Hopes and Smiles" (2020-present) - the camp evolved by leaps and bounds, adding fully accessible facilities like modern camper cabins, a boat dock, an archery range, and a soon to be constructed adaptive Rec Center. Over the past 12 years, Camp High Hopes has welcomed over 500 jubilant campers annually, hailing from several Midwest states and ranging from ages 5 to 95. Celebrating its uniqueness - as no similar camp exists within a four-hour radius - the camp proudly commemorates the creation of more than one million smiles, embracing the heartwarming personal stories that have emerged from its community of loving campers and dedicated staff. The story of Camp High Hopes is one of boundless resilience, ambition, and, above all, the unwavering pursuit of happiness for every single one of its cherished campers.
Our impact team
Sarah Morgan - Executive Director
Originally from Colorado, Sarah Morgan is a University of Missouri-Columbia graduate with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and French. After meeting her husband, Travis, at KMEG 14 in Sioux City, they moved to Omaha but decided to return when they missed their family, friends, and home. She worked as the morning anchor at KTIV News 4 for four years before shifting gears and joining Camp High Hopes in 2016. Sarah and Travis now live happily in South Dakota with their daughter Cate, son Cameron, and Boston Terrier Finnegan.
Derek Bergman - Camp Director
With a passion for camp and an education degree from Peru State College in Nebraska, Derek Bergman has more than 20 years of experience in the summer camp world, twelve of those years being full-time. He believes that the power of camp lies in our ability to learn something about ourselves and one another when we experience it. Derek is thrilled to bring Camp High Hopes further by making it accessible to everyone. He is joined by his wife Amy, along with their three kids Tava, Kaden, and Kyler.
Avery Findling - Program Director
Avery joined the Camp High Hopes team in 2025. She is originally from Kirksville, Missouri. She embraces the title "Director of Fun." She earned bachelor’s degrees in special education and elementary education, as well as a master’s in educational leadership, from Northwest Missouri State University before spending five years as a middle school special education teacher. Her passion for adaptive camping was first sparked while working at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Illinois during her college summers. Outside of camp, Avery enjoys staying active, watching March Madness, expanding her Nike shoe collection, and spending time with her corgi, Margaux.
Jake Niemand - Assistant Program Director
A native of Fairbury, Nebraska, Jake holds a degree in Human Service Counseling from Wayne State College. Since 2019, he has been a dedicated member of the Camp High Hopes team, also gaining experience as a Program Specialist at Camp Courageous. As a triplet who lives with Cerebral Palsy, Jake is passionate about serving as a role model and providing life-changing opportunities for campers. He is thrilled to be back at the place that first sparked his passion for the camp industry!
Teresa Brus - Office Manager
Teresa, a native of Harlan, Iowa, joined Camp High Hopes in 2017 after earning her accounting degree from Western Iowa Tech and working at Empirical. In her role, she loves connecting with campers and their families to ensure seamless enrollment and a meaningful camp experience. Outside of work, Teresa is a mom to two sons, Matthew and Christopher, and lives with her two dogs, Steve and Chloe. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, volunteering at her local fire department, and cheering on her favorite sports, including hockey and stock car racing.
Officers
President: Dr. Josh Kruse, Kruse Chiropractic
Vice President: Gary Turbes, Retired (Mid-Step Services)
Secretary: Cora Vermeer, Camper Family
Treasurer: Ken Beekley, Retired (Siouxland Economic Development Corp)
General Members
Carissa Brown, Central Bank
Dr. Kelly Chaney, Morningside University
Cy Chesterman, Chesterman Co.
Ranee Ehrich, Siouxland Community Health Center
Darren Ferner, Marsh McLennan Agency
Javier Fuentes, Security National Bank
Dolores Guest, Global Foods Processing
Bernie LeCates, Klinger Companies
Mette Malek, Retired (Sioux City Public Schools)
Traci McDonald, Horizon Health Care
Sarah Morgan, Camp High Hopes
Ben Nusselhuf, Prairie Fire Strategies
Annie Shrunk, Camper Family
John Wagner, Liberty National Bank
Kari Winklepleck, UnityPoint Health- St. Luke's Foundation
Jill Zeutenhorst, Great West Casualty
Are you interested in serving as a volunteer board member? Email the Executive Director, Sarah Morgan, at smorgan@camphighhopes.com or call her at 712-224-2267 ext. 100 to request a Prospective Board Member Packet.