Kami Chapa

Kami Chapa

The mother of Hayden Max Chapa (the inspiration for Camp Hayden) Kami Chapa has experienced the love and loss of a child with special needs. At birth, Hayden was diagnosed with a rare disorder called micro-lissencephaly, which generally means a shortened lifespan with limited development potential. Despite the challenges inherent with this rare disorder, Kami and her husband Jason Chapa made every effort to support Hayden and give him all the opportunities that a child without special needs would have. Whether it was camping, floating or just playing with him and enjoying his infectious little laugh, Kami made sure Hayden was surrounded with love and support for the entirety of his short life. After three unforgettable years spent with family and friends, Hayden passed away on October 27, 2016.

Kami grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho where she worked in the service industry and has been heavily involved in support groups to support families with special needs children like hers. After the passing of Hayden, Kami and Jason felt inspired to take their tragedy and transform it into something positive in memory of their little boy. Kami traveled to Mexico to give out Christmas gifts to local children, volunteered with the Idaho Falls Civitans to help raise money for community fundraisers and personally reached out to other parents in the special needs community who suffered struggles or losses. In 2017 Kami and her husband Jason founded Camp Hayden to provide adventures and opportunities for other families in their communities and rebuilt the YMCA Big Elk Creek Camp where they hosted their first two camps. In 2019 the Chapas welcomed their daughter Haisley Chapa to their family and work hard to balance the challenges of raising a beautiful little girl, a new business (Roundabout Contractors) and guiding the Camp Hayden Board and activities.