A Summer Escape Unlike Any Other
As school ends and summer begins, many children eagerly await campfires, canoes, and carefree days under the sun. But for children battling serious illnesses or living with disabilities, these carefree moments can be elusive. That’s where SeriousFun Children’s Network—originally known as “Hole in the Wall” camps—steps in. Founded in 1988 by Hollywood legend and philanthropist Paul Newman, the camps have become sanctuaries for families navigating the complexities of pediatric illness, offering not only respite, but rejuvenation.
The first camp, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, was named after the hideout of Butch Cassidy’s gang in Newman’s Oscar-winning film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. True to its spirit, the camp was designed to be a joyful hideaway—a place where sick kids could just be kids, where they and their families could, as Newman liked to say, “kick back and raise a little hell.”
The Power of Play—and Free for All
What makes SeriousFun camps extraordinary isn’t just the medically adaptive facilities or the wide array of activities like ziplining, boating, and archery—it’s that every single experience comes at no cost to the families. Funded by Newman’s Own Foundation (supported by sales of products like salad dressing, lemonade, and popcorn) and private donors, these camps remove financial barriers entirely. From meals and medication to lodging and activities, everything is 100% free.
“There’s no other place like this,” said Clea Newman, Paul’s youngest daughter and a passionate advocate for the organization. “My father believed that joy, laughter, and community are powerful tools in healing. Our camps are built on that principle.”
Clea, who has spent more than a decade as a global ambassador for SeriousFun, continues her father’s vision with unwavering dedication. “These families are the most extraordinary people. I learn from them every day—it’s a privilege,” she said in a recent interview. “My father always said we’re committed to giving these children 100 percent. And in return, the joy they bring gives back one thousand percent to everyone involved.”
A Global Network of Hope
From a single camp in Connecticut, SeriousFun has expanded into a global network of 30 camps and programs across five continents. Today, camps operate in 19 countries, including Ireland, Israel, Japan, and across the United States. Collectively, they have delivered over two million transformative experiences to children with serious illnesses and their families.
Each camp is uniquely equipped to meet the medical needs of its campers, with on-site pediatric care and a staff trained to administer treatments without interrupting the fun. But beyond the careful planning is an environment that fosters resilience, friendship, and self-discovery.
“You automatically click with everyone because you have something in common,” said Alex, a camper at Flying Horse Farms in Ohio who lives with Sickle Cell Disease. “You’re not alone in this. It puts a smile on so many people’s faces. It definitely is the highlight of my year, every year.”
Building Lifelong Skills and Community
The joy of summer camp is just the beginning. SeriousFun has studied the long-term benefits of its programs, and the results are powerful. Over 80% of campers surveyed reported that the experience helped them develop important traits they carry into adulthood: increased confidence, a willingness to try new things, greater perseverance, and deeper empathy.
These soft skills are crucial for young people growing up with chronic or life-threatening conditions. Often marginalized or physically restricted in daily life, campers find in SeriousFun a place where they can redefine what’s possible.
“The first time our son climbed the ropes course, we cried,” one parent shared. “He had been through so much. But seeing him accomplish that—seeing the pride on his face—was more healing than any medicine.”
Healing Beyond the Child
The camps are also a lifeline for parents and siblings, who are often just as affected by a child’s illness. For families who have been in and out of hospitals for years, SeriousFun offers something vital: time together without the shadow of illness.
“It brought the family unit back together,” said one parent at Barretstown, a SeriousFun camp in Ireland. “It helped heal the kids’ souls. It helped us find that new normal… It’s all about maximum fun in minimum time.”
Many of the camps include family sessions or host separate retreats for siblings, who often feel overlooked. These shared experiences allow for emotional reconnection, laughter, and renewal.
A Legacy Funded by Food and Film
While SeriousFun relies on generous donors, one of its most consistent benefactors remains the Newman’s Own brand. Since launching with a homemade salad dressing in the early 1980s, Paul Newman’s food company has donated over $600 million to charitable causes. Every bottle, box, and bag bearing his iconic face contributes to the mission of giving back.
“When you buy Newman’s Own lemonade or popcorn, you’re not just getting a great product,” said Clea. “You’re directly supporting programs that change lives.”
From the grocery aisle to the zip line, Paul Newman’s legacy lives on in every child who finds freedom, friendship, and laughter under the sun. As thousands of kids pack their bags for another season of “serious fun,” one thing is clear: summer at these camps is more than just play—it’s healing disguised as joy.
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