Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Miss those summer camp days of yore? Interested in learning (differently) about life with a chronic illness? Maybe you've volunteered at a medical camp in the past? No matter the reason... leave the hospital/clinic walls for a weekend or a week away with some remarkable kids!!

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, located about an hour south of us in Ashford, Connecticut, is welcoming our residents to join in as medical support and partake in the unique healing that camp can offer. The camp is part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, which is a non-profit umbrella organization that operates a series of camps serving seriously ill children and their families. Camp runs on private funding – campers and families enjoy everything without cost. They can even pick kids up from their homes, aiming to be accommodating and inclusive. 

So, what would it look like for you? Camp runs in 1-week sessions where you would head on down and live at camp for the week. Housing and food is all included. You’d head down the day before the campers arrive to orient and understand the role. During camp, you’d be helping in the infirmary (the “OK Corral”) – providing routine daily care and addressing the expected camp-related bumps and bruises. As able, you’d also join in with the campers during their activities (e.g. boating/swimming/crafting!), spending some time side by side enjoying their company.

Dr. Dave Nelson is the medical director of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. He has invited (and loves hosting!!) residents to spend some time at camp. See his G&O here.

To schedule this, you'll need to review the online camp calendar. Weekend family retreat experiences occur during the fall and spring; 1-week long camp sessions start in late June and run through the end of August. Please e-mail Kate Wynne and Monick to plan out this elective. The 1-week camp sessions don’t always line up too neatly with our blocks, so we will work with your individual schedule and plan for a 2-week elective block. We can’t wait to hear about your adventures with these amazing children!