Meet the Changemakers

Part of SeriousFun Children’s Network, Dynamo Camp supports the Right to Happiness of children and teenagers with serious or chronic illnesses, neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities, as well as their families. It does so by offering completely free of charge Dynamo Recreational Therapy® programs at the camp, located in an area affiliated with World Wildlife Fund in the Tuscan Apennines, as well as in City Camps, mainly in Milano through the whole year, and in other major cities in Italy throughout the summer. 

Part of SeriousFun Children’s Network, Barretstown has provided free, specially designed camps and programs for children and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses in a safe, medically supported environment since 1994. Located in County Kildare, Ireland, Barretstown offers year-round therapeutic camps and programs featuring fun and challenging activities—all supported by 24-hour on-site medical and nursing care. Recognized as a center of excellence in childhood cancer care, Barretstown has served over 127,000 campers, helping children rediscover the joy of being kids again—all completely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors, corporate partners, and community supporters.

Part of SeriousFun Children’s Network, L’ENVOL has been providing tailored programs for children and young people aged 6 to 25 living with serious illnesses and their families since 1997. L’ENVOL helps them regain strength, confidence, and joy in life during or after illness, while breaking the isolation often caused by long-term medical conditions. Each year, more than 8,000 children and parents benefit free of charge from its medicalized holiday camps, hospital workshops, recreational outings, and creative activity kits.

Part of SeriousFun Children’s Network, Bátor Tábor, the Camp of Courage, is dedicated to provide life-changing experiences to seriously or chronically ill children and their families since 2001. Besides the camp sessions, they bring laughter and joy to the hospital beds, and in our School Outreach Program they strengthen the community in those classrooms where a child with an illness attends to. They believe that the sun always shines above the clouds.

Through a new partnership in Australia and New Zealand, SeriousFun camps are sharing expertise to increase accessibility for children with disabilities. Camp staff are collaborating across the network to improve program delivery—demonstrating the power of collective learning to strengthen inclusive experiences globally. 

 The results: 

• 400 adult volunteers received 1,600+ hours of specialized training on supporting children with disabilities. 
• 100% of families surveyed said their time at camp was valuable to connect as a family. 

Data from SeriousFun’s Australia and New Zealand partnership pilot made possible by Newman’s Own Foundation. 

“This meaningful collaboration would not have come to life without the connection fostered by SeriousFun. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work together and to contribute to creating more inclusive, empowering experiences for every camper.”  
—Camp Partner 

Launched in 2008 as a partnership between SeriousFun Children’s Network and Baylor Foundation Uganda, Sanyuka Camp focuses on healthy living and building self-esteem. Children learn about cooking with ingredients that are accessible at home and making their own music and crafts, while family camp offers opportunities for children and caregivers to play together and build stronger bonds.

Children living with serious medical conditions like HIV often face stigma and social isolation. SeriousFun camps disrupt this pattern with programs designed to break down shame and help kids thrive through peer connection and medical support. 

 The results: 

• Youth shifted from relying on adults to taking ownership of their medication routines through group rituals, educational activities, and caring guidance from healthcare staff. 

• Meeting peers with similar experiences reduced stigma and helped campers feel understood and accepted.

• 100% of campers reported a positive experience and said they would recommend camp to a friend or sibling.

“I never thought that I could talk freely about my HIV status. At camp, I had the freedom to talk and get my worries off my shoulders.”  
—SeriousFun camper living with HIV 

Founded in 1993 by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, the Double H Ranch provides year-round, medically supported programs free of charge for children living with serious and chronic illnesses. Located in New York’s Adirondack Park, Double H Ranch serves over 2,000 children annually through summer camp, adaptive winter sports, family weekends, and hospital outreach.

Victory Junction enriches the lives of children living with complex medical and physical needs by providing life-changing, fun, and empowering camp experiences at no cost. Campers build confidence and skills through activities like ziplining, horseback riding, fishing, and stage performances, all in a medically safe, accessible environment. Located in Randleman, NC, and founded by Kyle Petty and family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction’s racing-themed campus offers weekend and weeklong sessions, while its OUTREACH program brings Camp to hospitals and clinics in NC, SC, and VA.

Located just north of Los Angeles, The Painted Turtle has provided hundreds of thousands of camp experiences to children with serious medical conditions and their families through year-round programming since 2004. Campers ages 6–17 can enjoy a variety of adaptive activities in a fun and safe environment through programs ranging from single-day events to week-long sessions. The Painted Turtle supports children’s medical needs and offers care, education, and respite for their families—all entirely free of charge.

Each year, Camp Korey brings joy, community, and new adventures to nearly 2,000 campers in the Pacific Northwest living with life-altering medical conditions and their parents, siblings, and caregivers. As a proud member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, Camp Korey is more than a camp, it’s a place where challenges transform into triumphs, and where the spirit of community and adventure thrives. Their programs not only bring smiles to the faces of our campers but also create a supportive network for families who are navigating life’s journey with resilience and hope.

Since 2006, Roundup River Ranch has provided transformative experiences for children with life-altering diagnoses and their families – offering them the chance to embrace joy, create connection, foster independence, and build hope through free, medically-supported camp programs. Nestled in a canyon along the Colorado River, the 125-acre campsite in the heart of the Rocky Mountains welcomes campers ages 5-17 and their families to find respite at Summer Camp and Family Camp sessions. Outreach and Alumni Programs extend the camp spirit year-round through engaging online and in-person experiences.

Since 2016, North Star Reach has provided life-changing camp experiences for children with serious health challenges in a safe, medically supported environment. Located near Ann Arbor, Michigan, our beautiful 105-acre camp welcomes children ages 7–17 and their families from across the Great Lakes region. Through weekend and week-long programs filled with connection, community, and a whole lot of Mooseness, campers discover joy, friendships, and memories that last a lifetime.

SeriousFun supports and amplifies the impact of individual camps and programs to affect positive change in the lives of children with serious medical conditions and their families. 

Children with special healthcare needs are more likely to experience social isolation, anxiety, and lower self-esteem compared to children without special healthcare needs. That’s where SeriousFun camps come in. At camp, kids connect with peers who share similar diagnoses and leave knowing they are not alone.

The results:

• 30 camps and programs across 4 continents.
• 2 million plus camp experiences since 1988.
• 70% of campers reported feeling like they belonged and that they were valued at camp.*
• 74% of campers reported increased ability to make friends.*

*Data from research at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the SeriousFun camp in Connecticut. 

“It was really cool to see other kids that were going through the same stuff that I was going through, or they live the same way that I live.” 
—Jackson, camper 

Located on 232 acres just a short drive from Orlando, Camp Boggy Creek creates a nurturing environment where children can enjoy activities tailored to their needs. In 2024, Camp Boggy Creek introduced its mental health support team to address emerging needs of comprehensive mind-body support for campers.

The impact:

• 832 campers and 127 volunteers participated in Camp Boggy Creek summer programs
• Launched a new sensory room with specialized equipment including sensory toys, weighted blankets, and a multisensory play-floor
• 7 in 10 of campers considered themselves to be “a happy person”, a holistic well-being indicator, despite their medical journey

“Camp Boggy Creek creates a safe environment where campers can find joy, build resilience, and connect with others facing similar challenges. Prioritizing our campers’ behavioral and mental health empowers them to embrace their unique strengths as we work to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness.” —Dr. James Rujimora, Ph.D., LMHC

Flying Horse Farms provides healing, transformative camp experiences: every kid is invited to bring their wacky selves, as they make connections with friends who understand their journey and find camp magic exists in all of us.

2024 impact:

• 1,000 camp experiences provided to kids.    
• 1,630 volunteers made the magic of camp possible.
• 190+ first-time experiences documented in the “Book of Firsts,” where campers celebrate milestones such as ziplining for the first time. 

“While the numbers underscore impact, the campers tell the story. Camp is where a kid might swim for the first time. Where a camper is brave enough to sing with friends. It’s the boy who didn’t feel extraordinary because of his diagnosis but because of the friend he became. Behind every camper, it’s each family knowing camp shows up accessible for every kid.” —Nichole E. Dunn, President & CEO, Flying Horse Farms.

Part of SeriousFun Children’s Network, Over The Wall Camp’s innovative “Camp in the Cloud” program brings the magic of camp directly to children unable to attend in person. In 2024, they celebrated 25 years of creating life-changing experiences for children with health challenges and secured a new permanent facility in Derby.

2024 impact:

• > 1,500 children experienced an Over The Wall camp or virtual program
• 88% of campers reported feeling more positive about their future after attending
• 2,597 marshmallows were eaten, and 38 dance parties were hosted!

“I’m much more confident now and have higher self-belief. At camp, I wasn’t defined by my illness—I was just me.” —Camper

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is the first camp Paul Newman founded back in 1988 and provides “a different kind of healing” to children with serious illnesses and their families. 

2024 impact:

• Over 600 youth participated in weeklong Hole in the Wall Gang summer camps in 2024
• 94% of campers aged 10-15 reported increasing their friendship skills at camp in 2024

“This is the only place in the world my kid feels like she belongs.” —Camper Parent