How to Become a Hole in the Wall Camp
Building a camp for children with serious illnesses is no small feat, but it is one that brings incredible rewards. To date, more than 164,500 children from around the world have experienced the joy of a Hole in the Wall Camp. We hope that the information on this page will be helpful as you embark on this incredible journey of building a camp for a special group of children.
Are you accepting applications to become a Hole in the Wall Camp?
Over the past five years we have experienced rapid growth in new camp development - we now have eight camps in various stages of active development around the world. As such, we have reached our capacity to provide the necessary service to each camp. As we believe that it is critically important that each new Hole in the Wall Camp opens at, and sustains, the same level of continuing excellence as existing Hole in the Wall Camps, the Association has made the decision not to take on any new camp projects until our capacity is restored.
When will the application process re-open?
As new camps are successfully open and resources become available, we will review our ability to resume supporting new camp projects. We encourage interested parties to visit the website regularly for updates.
How do I apply to become a Hole in the Wall Camp?
Interested parties will be required to submit a concept plan for review by the Association prior to receiving an invitation to apply for Provisional Membership. The concept plan must address:
• Background/inspiration for camp
• Board bios (recommended minimum of four independent board members)
• Geographic description of proposed service area
• Market analysis of other camps, hospitals/medical centers, and Voluntary Health Organizations (VHOs) in their surrounding area
• Preliminary financial and fundraising plans
What are the requirements of becoming a Hole in the Wall Camp?
Each new camp is required to reach a number of benchmarks in order to apply first for provisional membership and then full membership. Those benchmarks include a Board of Directors, 501(c)3 status (or equivalent), medical partnerships, a needs assessment, and a business and fundraising plan. These benchmarks are designed to assure that each member camp provides the highest level of safety and programming for the children they serve. They are also designed to ensure that each member camp has sound financial support.
In addition, once operating, each camp is required to be in substantial compliance with the Association’s Criteria, which is a set of policies and procedures designed to ensure that each camp opens and operates at the highest level of financial and programmatic standard possible.
Do you incorporate existing camps? Does the freeze on accepting membership applications still apply?
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is open to working with existing camps. These camps would still be mandated to meet the Hole in the Wall Camp Criteria that a non-operating camp is required to meet. At this time the Association is not accepting any new camp applications.
How do you select your locations?
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is an umbrella organization that brings together 11 member camps under one brand. Each camp is a separate nonprofit organization that funds the development and operation of its camp. Therefore, the Association does not start camps, instead we work with people who wish to start their own camp. The location of the camp is chosen by that individual or a committe they have formed. There is no minimum acreage required; however, there should be enough space to build the necessary buildings and to allow for a privacy (buffer) zone around the camp. In selecting groups to work with, the Association Board of Directors does take into account geographical distance to other member camps.
Is your organization looking for land? I am looking to sell/donate land, would your organization be interested in obtaining it?
Each camp is a separate entity responsible for the purchase, development and operation of the camp. Therefore, the Association does not purchase or own land. We work with individuals or groups who desire to build their own camp, providing best practices and other technical assistance along the way.
What does it cost to build and operate a Hole in the Wall Camp?
Depending on the geographic location, design of the camp, children served and resources available to the founders, a camp of this type can cost between $20-$30 million to build and $3-$6 million annually to operate. This is due to the level and quality of medical care provided to the children. It also factors in the costs to send children to camp, as all campers attend free of charge.
Do you provide funding to those building a camp?
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps does not provide funding to those building a camp. Each camp is responsible for raising funds to build and operate the camp. There are grant opportunities available at the provisional and full member level that are intended to assist the camp in building a sustainable camp operation.
What support do you provide people who are building a camp?
The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps provides camps with resources and technical assistance in the form of consultations, sharing of best practices and peer conferences. The Association helps the camp transition from provisional member to a full member of the Hole in the Wall Camp family.
How long does it take to build a Hole in the Wall Camp?
The length of time it will take to build a HITWC varies depending on the resources and funds available to the founding team. From our experience, it can take anywhere from three to five years, and sometimes upwards of 10 years to plan, raise money, complete construction, hire staff and recruit campers.
What medical conditions qualify?
Our mission is to serve children with a serious or life-threatening medical condition. To date, more than 150 different medical conditions have been served. View a list of some of the medical conditions served at our camps.
I am still interested in starting a camp, do you have any advice?
If you are interested in building a camp of your own, it is important for you to start by conducting a needs assessment and market analysis to determine:
• What is the need in your area and who would utilize the camp?
• Who is already operating camp programs in your area? Which condition groups are already being served? Which condition groups are not being served?
• Who will fund the camp?
• Will the medical community support the camp?
You will also want to form a Board of Directors and prepare a business and fundraising plan. Other resource sites for you to visit are the American Camp Association or the Canadian Camp Association.
Who is the best person to contact at the Association in regards to opening a new camp?
For more information please email New Camps or call 203-562-1203.