Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

What Hole in the Wall Gang Camp does

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by actor Paul Newman in 1988 to provide free camp experiences and year-round programs for children with serious illnesses and their families. Its core service portfolio includes week-long overnight summer programs for children ages 7–15 (and their siblings), Family Weekends, Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) programs for ages 16–25, a multi-weekend Bereavement Program for families who have lost a child, the Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) delivering activities in 40+ hospital and clinic locations, and the Family Outreach Program (CampOut) extending programming into camper communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The organization operates two purpose-built physical camp locations: the original Ashford, Connecticut campus and a new Queenstown, Maryland facility (166 acres, 50,000+ sq ft) opened in 2026 following a property donation from the Aspen Institute. All programs are provided free of charge, with clinical oversight from dedicated Medical Directors and 30+ full-time HOP specialists.

The organization is funded entirely through charitable giving across five primary streams: individual donations and major gifts, corporate partnerships and sponsorships (including Travelers, Ken's Foods, LiDestri Foods, American Packaging Corporation, Hasbro, Aetna, Take-Two Interactive, John Hancock, and Poland Spring), foundation grants (including Hasbro Children's Fund), annual benefit events (Beantown Bash, Big Apple Bash, Fandango Benefit Gala, Camp Challenge), and planned/legacy giving. FY2023 total support and revenue was $16.4M, with 75% of expenses directed to programs. Distribution is delivered directly to beneficiaries rather than through traditional commercial channels, with camper and family referrals driven by hospital/clinic partnerships, family word-of-mouth, and testimonial content such as the Healing Feeling video series. The organization is a member of the SeriousFun Children's Network (30 camps globally) and holds Charity Navigator 4-star, Candid Platinum Transparency, and American Camp Association 100% accreditations.

Name

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Legal name

The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, Inc.

Website

https://holeinthewallgang.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Paul Newman in 1988 that provides free overnight camp experiences, hospital outreach, and family programs to children with serious illnesses and their families across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Specialty Camps and Nonprofit Family Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Pediatric camp services
• Nonprofit fundraising programs
• Hospital outreach services
• Family bereavement support
• Special needs recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Giving and Donations: Revenue from thousands of individual donors who support the organization annually. Includes major gifts, annual fund appeals, and general donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support, event sponsorships, employee volunteer programs, and in-kind donations. Key partners include Travelers, Ken's Foods, LiDestri Foods, American Packaging Corporation, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from private foundations including the Hasbro Children's Fund and others.
4. Special Events and Fundraisers: Annual benefit events including Beantown Bash, Fandango Benefit Gala, Big Apple Bash, Camp Challenge, and athletic events (marathons, cycling). These events raise significant funds while also building community engagement.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts, bequests, and planned giving programs for long-term donor engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides free-of-charge residential summer camp sessions, family weekend programs, bereavement retreats, and year-round hospital and community outreach for children aged 7-25 with serious illnesses (cancer, sickle cell disease, rare and ultra-rare conditions) and their families. Programs are delivered at two physical camp locations in Connecticut and Maryland and through 40+ hospital and clinic partner sites across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with embedded on-site medical care and dedicated physicians and nurses.

Product overview

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of free camp experiences and programs for children with serious illnesses and their families. The core offerings include: Summer Program (week-long sessions for children ages 7-15 with serious illnesses and their siblings) at the Connecticut location; Family Camps at both Connecticut and Maryland locations serving families of children with cancer, sickle cell disease, and rare/ultra-rare conditions; Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) bringing activities to hospitals across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic; Adolescent & Young Adult Programs for ages 16-25; Bereavement Program for families who have lost a child; and Family Outreach Program (CampOut) extending camp experiences to camper hometowns. The organization also hosts annual benefit events including Big Apple Bash (NYC), Beantown Bash (Boston), Fandango Benefit Gala (Connecticut), and Camp Challenge athletic event. Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, all programs are provided free of charge thanks to donor support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hospital Outreach Program (HOP): A year-round program that brings the hopeful, playful spirit of Hole in the Wall to children and families in the clinical/hospital setting through arts & crafts, interactive games, and Camp-inspired programming.
• Family Outreach Program
• SeriousFun Children's Network
• Fandango Benefit Gala
• Beantown Bash
• Big Apple Bash
• Camp Challenge

Products and services

• Summer Program (Connecticut) Week-long overnight camp sessions for children aged 7-15 with serious illnesses and their healthy siblings at the Ashford, Connecticut facility, featuring traditional camp activities (swimming, horseback riding, theater, arts and crafts) adapted for accessibility with significant on-site medical presence including 24-hour infirmary coverage.
• Family Camps - Maryland Family-inclusive programming at the Queenstown, Maryland location serving children with cancer, sickle cell disease, and rare/ultra-rare conditions including FOP (Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva), CMMRD (Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency), neurofibromatosis, and Progeria, along with their families.
• Family Weekends (Connecticut) Spring and fall weekend programs at the Connecticut facility providing healing experiences for the entire family, including parents, caregivers, and siblings of seriously ill children.
• Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) Year-round program that brings the playful spirit of Camp to children and families in clinical and hospital settings through arts and crafts, interactive games, and Camp-inspired programming; deployed by 30+ full-time specialists across 40+ hospital and clinic locations from Boston to Wilmington, Delaware.
• Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Programs Programs for participants aged 16-25 providing challenges and opportunities for self-discovery and growth, including Journey Year, Junior Staff, and Young Adult Conference.
• Bereavement Program Overnight bereavement program for families who have lost a child aged 0-18 to serious illness, comprising three weekends over a 12-month period with grief support activities.
• Family Outreach Program (CampOut) Regional events in camper hometowns, home visits, and retreats for parents and caregivers extending Camp's healing to families in their own communities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of parents/caregivers said Camp increased their child's sense of possibility
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Aspen InstitutecoreOthersAspen Institute donated its historic Wye River conference center property (166 acres) to Hole in the Wall for the new Maryland location. This transformational gift enabled Camp's expansion to the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Connecticut Children's Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp works closely with Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford for campers who need care beyond what can be safely provided onsite. Also has ties with medical institutions in New England, NYC, NJ, and Philadelphia.
• Krishnan Family FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency (CMMRD) Family Camps at the Maryland location, supporting families of children with this rare genetic condition.
• IFOPA (International FOP Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Family Camps at Maryland location, serving children with this rare bone disease.
• Progeria Research FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Progeria Family Camps at Maryland location, supporting children with this rare premature aging condition.
• Travelers / Travelers ChampionshipflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTravelers is a leading corporate partner investing heavily in scaling Camp's programs. Leadership support advances Hospital Outreach and COPE programs. Over 200 Travelers employees participate in Helping Hands Workdays and FUNraiser events. Travelers Championship is a major annual fundraising event.
• Ken's Foods, Inc.flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime partner before the first camper arrived. Ken's Foods rallies customers, vendors, and business partners to host the Beantown Bash, one of Camp's largest annual fundraisers. Beantown Bash has raised more than $25 million over three decades.
• LiDestri FoodsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSince Paul Newman approached LiDestri to bottle the first Newman'S Own recipes in 1982, the company has been leading the philanthropic charge. Provides leadership support of the Big Apple Bash in NYC.
• American Packaging CorporationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRallies customers, vendors, and business partners to support the Big Apple Bash. Co-presenting sponsor of the event with LiDestri Foods.
• Nestlé Waters North America / Poland SpringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates more than 10,000 bottles of Poland Spring water annually for Camp sessions and FUNraiser events. Employees are heavily involved as volunteers and athletes.
• Hasbro / Hasbro Children's FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHasbro Children's Fund supports CampOut Program extending joy to campers in their homes and communities. More than 100 Hasbro employees participate in Helping Hands Workdays. Donated toys can be found at every Camp session.
• Grey GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSince 2011, Grey provides pro-bono creative support and development including Healing Feeling videos, program brochures, and other creative initiatives. Employees are involved in numerous Camp events.
• John HancockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoston Marathon Nonprofit Program partner. Camp's Boston Marathoners train, fundraise, and participate in this world-renowned event, often raising more than $250,000 annually.
• The Simon Konover CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuilt The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 1987-1988 and has shown tremendous devotion since. Participates as sponsors in Fandango Benefit Gala, Bradley Family Day, and Camp Challenge Ride.
• Take-Two InteractiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading game developer and publisher supporting Hole in the Wall since 2018, became Marshall level sponsor in 2020. Supports Family Outreach and Hospital Outreach programs. Employees actively engaged in Helping Hands Workdays.
• Abercrombie & FitchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial apparel sponsor of The SeriousFun Children's Network. Partnership is natural outgrowth of A&F's philanthropy mission supporting health and wellness of children.
• AetnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime sponsor of FUNraiser program with focus on health and wellness. More than 300 Aetna employees participate in Camp Challenge event and volunteer at Helping Hands Workdays.
• SeriousFun Children's NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit umbrella organization with a community of 30 camps and programs serving seriously ill children. Each member camp is an independent, not-for-profit organization dependent upon private funding. Hole in the Wall participates as a member camp.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large national nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses; overlapping donor base and corporate partner ecosystem, but distinct service model.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Larger established nonprofit supporting families of seriously ill children via lodging near hospitals; overlapping beneficiary population but addresses different need (housing vs. camp experience).
• Starlight Children's Foundation: National nonprofit delivering programs (including hospital-based) to seriously ill children and families; overlaps with HOP's in-hospital model at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• The Double H Ranch: Adirondack, NY-based SeriousFun Children's Network camp serving children with serious illnesses and their families; comparable year-round residential and family programming.
• Roundup River Ranch: Colorado-based member of the SeriousFun Children's Network offering free camp experiences to children with serious illnesses. Most direct analog to Hole in the Wall's CT camp model.
• Victory Junction: North Carolina-based SeriousFun Children's Network camp founded by Adam Petty, serving children with chronic medical conditions; comparable mission, scale, and medical-supervision model.
• Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times: California-based SeriousFun Children's Network camp providing free, medically supported camp programs for children with cancer and their families.
• Chai Lifeline / Camp Simcha: National Jewish organization running Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special for children with cancer and chronic illnesses; comparable free camp and hospital/cosponoring model.
• Camp Sunshine: Maine-based year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families; comparable free-of-charge family camp model.

Others

• Children's Oncology Camping Association International: Umbrella association of pediatric oncology camps; Hole in the Wall engages via SeriousFun and is adjacent to this peer ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/holewallcamp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/THITWGCamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/holeinthewallgangcamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-hole-in-the-wall-gang-camp
• Instagraminstagram.com/holewallcamp

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hole in the Wall Gang Camp