About Us
Our Mission
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is an international family of camps and programs that provide life-changing experiences to children with serious medical conditions, always free of charge. Our goal is to extend these experiences to as many children as possible around the world.
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Impact
By giving children the resources, courage and, most of all, the freedom they need to succeed, anything and everything is possible. We witness children conquering obstacles and achieving goals year-round at our camps. Camp allows children to regain their independence, fostering optimism and personal growth and instilling a sense of stability resulting in increased compliance with their medical conditions and treatments. Activities are designed to inspire children to realize their full potential, encourage teamwork and social interaction and boost self-esteem and confidence.
What We Do
We make a lasting impact on the lives of children with serious medical conditions by giving them the opportunity to celebrate simply being a kid – to feel normal. We have learned how to support children facing serious illnesses, helping them to build independence and reduce the feelings of fear and isolation associated with their medical conditions. Our programs create positive recreational experiences where children are understood and accepted.
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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY GIVING.
How We Got Started
It all began with a brilliant idea coupled with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of laughter. Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman’s dream of opening a camp for children with serious medical conditions became a reality in 1988. After years of giving money to different charities,
PAUL NEWMAN decided to create one of his own – a whimsical camp for children with serious medical conditions. He envisioned the camps as places where children could escape the fear, pain and loneliness of their conditions, kick back and “raise a little hell.” This idea has flourished and today we are a global family of camps for children with serious medical conditions. True to his dream, more than 200,000 children and families have received the restorative support of a Hole in the Wall Camp experience, always free of charge.
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Camps & Activities
Camp is all about fun, adventure and making friends. Creative staff members and volunteers ensure that every child experiences success and gains confidence to try new and exciting things in a supportive environment. Activities are universally accessible and include:
- Adaptive equestrian programs
- Wheelchair accessible tree houses
- High and low ropes courses
- Swimming
- Fishing and boating
- Theater
- Arts and crafts
- Campfires
Our Philosophy
- Children First – Children are children first; their abilities and medical conditions do not define them. All of the activities at camp, from meal time and boating, to ropes courses and cabin chats, are designed to be child-centered.
- Therapeutic Play – Everything at camp incorporates intentional programming and is based on the principles of therapeutic recreation. Camp activities build confidence, independence and optimism.
- Challenge By Choice – Each individual chooses to what extent they participate in each activity depending on their appropriate level of challenge. Through challenge by choice, children have the opportunity to try new things in an environment that is positive and exciting.
- Barrier Free – Camp and camp activities are universally accessible making it possible for children to participate in any activity they choose. In addition, children of all backgrounds, circumstances and with a wide variety of medical conditions are welcome, always free of charge.
How You Can Help
Please join us and share our passion for improving the lives of children and families affected by serious illnesses. There are many ways to get involved. We need your help to support our programs and spread the word about our life-changing programs. Please learn more about how you can GET INVOLVED.
All Hole in the Wall Camps are 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations (or international equivalent), and are dependent upon the generous financial support of thousands of donors around the world. Hole in the Wall Camps and programs are always free of charge to all campers and their families regardless of their ability to pay.