The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman with one simple premise in mind: that every child, no matter their illness, could experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand-in-hand with camp.
We are a community that includes the kids and families we serve, the volunteers and staff who help us make a difference, the partners and donors who support our mission, and the alumni who keep our community strong. Together, we make “a different kind of healing” possible!We are not defined by our illnesses, and we certainly don’t let them slow us down. We are kids like every other – looking for fun, friendship and the chance to “raise a little hell.” We find that through a variety of Hole in the Wall programs at Camp and beyond.
Camp is not just a place…
We each carry Camp inside of us
as we work through the travails of our lives,
a warm, comforting embrace
that is there for us whenever we need it.
– Richard & Lily, camper parents
Paul Newman, while a successful actor, was also a visionary with the heart of a child. His personality, playfulness, and mischievousness are infused within every corner of Camp, from the pirate flag he raised on the tree house to the days he spent on the lake fishing with campers. It was Paul’s dream that Camp, with its unobtrusive expert medical care, would provide seriously ill children with a fun-filled experience defined by compassion, laughter, and acceptance.
Newman announced his plans to build The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 1986, and in June 1988, Camp opened. When the campers arrived, they found a kid-sized Old West setting inspired by “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and filled with traditional summer camp programs adapted so that children with physical and medical limitations could participate. The accessibility of the programs along with a significant medical presence allowed campers to embrace possibilities and safely challenge perceived limitations. Among kindred spirits facing similar challenges, they escaped isolation and found a community defined by acceptance.
Summer Camp
At the core of all of our programming is our signature summer program … seven glorious week-long sessions in Ashford, Connecticut … that serve seriously ill children and one additional week dedicated to their healthy siblings. Campers aged 7 – 15 ride horses, create crafts, swim, and so much more, as they bond with other children facing similar challenges and learn they are capable of so much more than they ever thought possible.
A serene place for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses to find camaraderie, joy, and a renewed sense of being a kid.
We are artists, swimmers, horseback riders, song-singers, and bushy-tail-shakers. We love to laugh and create a little mischief with our new friends, while finding out together that we are capable of so much more than we ever imagined. As former campers, staff and volunteers, our Camp experiences helped to shape who we are today – so we keep the Camp spirit alive by staying involved in events and connected to old friends.
Our day-to-day lives aren’t the same
as other families.
Sometimes we don’t know what to expect
from one day to the next,
but one thing we can always count on
is the support, acceptance and friendship
of our Camp community.
Camp programs haven’t just changed our child’s life –
they have changed all of us.
Hero’s Journey Program
For teens who have aged out of our summer camp program, we offer the Hero’s Journey® program. Located in the woods of Connecticut, this weeklong program teaches self-reliance, positive communication, and teamwork through wilderness first aid training and a variety of exciting challenges. The journey provides participants with opportunities to step outside comfort zones, discover more about themselves and become “the hero of their own story.”
Family Weekends
Running in the fall and spring at our facility in Ashford, weekend programs continue the healing power of Camp beyond the summer months and create a memorable experience for the entire family. Families share in Camp activities and enjoy the company of other families who understand the issues they are facing.
Campout
CampOut brings the joy and fun of Camp to campers and their families right in their hometowns. The program helps the magic and connections of Camp continue throughout the year as a team of traveling specialists drive a whimsical van filled with Camp-style activities, crafts and games to locations throughout the Northeast, including camper homes and communities.
Parent Programs
Parent Programs bring the healing power of Camp to parents and caregivers. Year-round opportunities such as opening day parent picnics, parent work days, and parent retreats held on and offsite, Parent Programs offer current camper parents a multitude of ways to expand their supportive community and connect with other Camp families.
Our goal is to ensure that every child with a serious medical condition has the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Through the generosity of others, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp.
Our core values are the principles that guide both strategic decisions and daily behavior rooted in the philosophy and vision of the Camp’s founder.
Safety: The care of children with serious illnesses is both a serious responsibility and a serious privilege. Physical and emotional safety is paramount in all we do.
Camaraderie: We create a community that fosters friendship, inclusivity, a little bit of mischief, and a whole lot of laughter.
Possibility: All aspects of our community are designed to allow every individual inspired by Camp to believe that the impossible can be possible.
Appreciation: We recognize the generosity and gratitude of others and intend to exemplify that in all our decisions and actions. We remain grateful for the original dream of our founder to pair good fortune with misfortune, and we cherish the friendships we have with all inspired by Camp.
Camp Site:
565 Ashford Center Road
Ashford, Connecticut 06278
(860) 429-3444
[email protected]
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