The Painted Turtle • California
More than a camp – it is a life-changing environment for children with serious illnesses.
The Painted Turtle is located in the town of Lake Hughes, California in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. Set on 175 acres in a scenic valley, the camp is bordered by beautiful tree-adorned hills, complete with tranquil lakes, hiking trails and the sounds and sights of nature. Camper cabins, the barn, boathouse and the modern recreational facility are housed in gorgeous wood buildings with large windows that celebrate nature, a perfect setting for camp! In addition to traditional Hole in the Wall Camp activities, The Painted Turtle has an organic garden and apple orchard, a Discovery 
Science Program and a Star Lab which create memorable experiences for 1,600 children and their families each year.
The Painted Turtle offers an exhilarating, challenging, and nurturing array of traditional summer camp and year-round family weekend recreational activities that are seamlessly intertwined with programs that inspire children with serious medical conditions to become more self-confident and self-reliant. The Painted Turtle’s “Well Shell” provides sophisticated medical care to the children in a tiki-themed non- intrusive environment. A few years ago, the camp launched a Hospital Outreach Program, The Painted Turtle “Outpost” which allows children in the hospital to experience the joy and adventure of camp. The camp also recently implemented a year-round Equestrian Program which incorporates therapeutic riding techniques as well as equine-assisted therapy. Studies have shown that therapeutic riding can improve a child’s mental and physical health, shorten recovery time, and decrease stress and incidents of depression in children and adults.
Read some of our stories from camp!
Learn more about our other camps.
Camp Contact Information
Administrative Office
Address • 1300 4th Street • Suite 300 • Santa Monica, CA • 90401 • USA
Phone • 310.451.1353
Fax • 310.451.1357
Camp Office
Address • 17000 Elizabeth Lake Road • Lake Hughes, CA • 93532 • USA
Phone • 661.724.1550
Fax • 661.724.1340
Email • info@thepaintedturtle.org
website: www.thepaintedturtle.org