June marks the start of summer camps opening their doors to kids who want fun in the wild—and for children with an illness or disability, there’s a camp that provides ‘serious fun’ for those who need it most.
The legendary actor Paul Newman started it all with a single summer camp for sick kids back in 1988.
He called it the “Hole in the Wall” camp, a reference to the sharpshooting gang from his iconic Oscar-winning film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
He wanted to provide an escape for children facing serious illnesses—but one that would include their parents and siblings too—where, as Paul liked to say, families could “kick back, and raise a little hell.”
Most important of all, everything was always free.
Since then, the camps have gained a new name—SeriousFun—and have grown into a network of 30 camps across the world. In all, they have provided two million incredible experiences for kids facing medical challenges in 19 different countries.
Each of the 30 SeriousFun camps is fully equipped for pediatric care, with a staff that administers medication in a manner that doesn’t disrupt the fun. Camp activities include boating and swimming—but also high-end excitement like high-ropes courses and zip lines. (See the video at the bottom.) Best of all, kids love it…
“You automatically click (with everyone) because you have something in common. You’re not alone in this,” said Alex, a child with Sickle Cell Disease that has attended the SeriousFun Flying Horse Farms Camp in Ohio. “It puts a smile on so many people’s faces. It makes them feel connected. It definitely is the highlight of my year, every year.”
Clea Newman is the youngest daughter of Paul and his wife of 50 years, actress Joanne Woodward. With both parents passed away, Clea has dedicated the last 12 years of her life to the organization, working enthusiastically to continue her father’s legacy.
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“I am so passionate about this work. Our kids and our families are just the most extraordinary people. I learn from them every day, so it’s a gift,” Clea said.
“My father believed in the importance of giving back. He always said we are committed to giving these children one hundred percent… and, in return, the joy of these kids gives back one thousand percent to everyone who works with and supports them.”
All those efforts are paying off for the kids, too. According to surveys conducted by SeriousFun, more than 80% of campers reported that their experience played a role in the development of lasting traits that they use in their everyday adolescent and adult lives. These attributes include a willingness to try new things, self-confidence, perseverance, empathy, compassion, and an appreciation for diversity.
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Other benefits for families may be too great to even measure.
“It’s brought the family unit back together,” a parent at the SeriousFun camp at Barretstown in Ireland said.
“It was bringing back an element of fun that had been missing for a long time because all we’d been used to was going in and out of hospitals. It helped heal the kids’ souls. It helped us find that new normal… it’s all about maximum fun in minimum time.”
Proceeds from the Newman’s Own food brand partially fund the camp (along with corporate and private donations), so the next time you’re shopping for frozen pizza, pasta sauce, salad dressing, lemonade, or popcorn, look for Paul’s face and the slogan ‘All profits to charity’. (You can buy their products in the grocery store or on Amazon.)
Now you know you’ll always be supporting a seriously fun charity. Check out the heartwarming camp in the video below…
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