WHO IS THE GANG? PROGRAMS ABOUT CALENDARCONTACT GET INVOLVED FOUNDER & HISTORY The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman with one simple premise in mind: to provide opportunities for children with serious illnesses to experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand-in-hand with camp. Founder Paul Newman with the kids. 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. A Little History 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, yet unobtrusive 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. June 18, 1988: The first campers arrive In 1989, the healing power of Hole in the Wall extended to families with the introduction of a summer session for the healthy siblings of campers. In 1992, parents got in on the fun when the Camp introduced the first Change of Pace Experience (COPE) weekend. Then in 2002, one charismatic counselor, armed with paints and craft projects, ventured into a Connecticut hospital and proved that the fun and friendship experienced at Camp were portable. That is how the Hospital Outreach Program began and today more than 30 full-time specialists are serving nearly 40 locations from Boston to Philadelphia. Then in 2013, CampOut was launched, bringing the fun and friendship of Camp directly into camper homes and communities. CAMP TIMELINE GET INVOLVED TODAY Who We Are Founder & History Our Purpose, Goal and Core Values Tour the Camp Our Medical Program Impact Our People News & Video PROGRAMS Summer Camp Hero’s Journey® Leaders in Training Hospital Outreach (HOP) CampOut Weekend Programs Parent Programs CAMP FACILITY 565 Ashford Center Road Ashford, CT 06278 Tel: (860) 429.3444 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 555 Long Wharf Drive New Haven, CT 06511 Tel: (203) 772.0522 SeriousFun Children’s Network is a non-profit umbrella organization with a community of 30 camps and programs serving seriously ill children and their families. Each member camp, including ours, is an independent, not-for-profit organization dependent upon private funding to serve all children at no cost to their families. GENERAL Driving Directions Contact Form Employment Opportunities LET’S SOCIALIZE SEARCH FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION www.newmanandthegang.org Web Solutions © 2021 The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sitemap Staff Login Mobile Site The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is our policy to never share or sell the names, addresses, emails or phone numbers of our donors.