The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps (holeinthewallcamps.org) aims to give children with serious illnesses a fun and free camp experience that they might not otherwise be able to have because of their conditions. At 14 locations in the U.S. and countries including England, Italy, and Hungary, children with cancer, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, and dozens of other conditions are able to enjoy all of the independence and adventure of camp—boating, swimming, crafts, and equestrian programs—while also receiving top-notch medical care. The late actor Paul Newman, who founded the camps, said he wanted to give children the chance to escape the isolation of their conditions, relax, and “raise a little hell.” Since 1988, 337,500 children and family members have participated.
Each charity we feature has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator, which ranks not-for-profit organizations on the strength of their finances, their control of administrative and fund-raising expenses, and the transparency of their operations. Four stars is the group’s highest ranking.
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