Dan Kostopulos and his wife Helen had big hearts. They loved helping people and giving to those less fortunate. They found their niche through helping individuals with disabilities. As early as 1954 they formed a charity organization to address this special populations needs. By 1967 they formed a new charity,one that would provide smiles to thousands of children and adults with disabilities; Camp Kostopulos was born – located on 25 acres in Emigration Canyon just 2.5 miles from Salt Lake City.
Camp Kostopulos has grown over the years, even adding an umbrella name, the Kostopulos Dream Foundation. That first summer it was a day camp. Once things began to take off it quickly developed into a residential summer camp, one that would eventually serve not only residents of Salt Lake City but span across the United States.
Today the programs are year round from after school activities for children, and evening and weekend programs for teens and adults (see Programs for more information). The summer camp now has grown to 500 campers and includes travel trips as well as the residential camp. Facilities have been modernized and many ones added. Five all season cabins can sleep up to 87 people, there is an accessible playground, stocked trout pond, swimming pool and pool house, multi-sport court, a multi-purpose Yurt, our modernized Lodge is equipped with a kitchen and dining hall and our offices. Coming in 2009 is a new indoor equestrian center with stables and riding arena.
The agency has been successful over the years due to the dedication and sacrifice of staff, board members and the community.
Dan and Helen Kostopulos have since passed away but their legacy continues to be felt by the thousands of special need individuals and families they helped.
