The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, based in Ashford, Connecticut, is a nonprofit 501 organization, residential summer camp, and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions.
History
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded by actor Paul Newman in 1988. The camp is named after the gang in Newman's film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The camp is a parcel of land including a lake. The land was originally part of a large farm owned by the Harakaly family. When the farming industry in Connecticut began to decline, the Harakalys built the lake and, after refusing to develop it, sold it to Newman. From an article on the American Board of Pediatrics website about the death of renowned Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and Yale Professor Dr Howard Pearson. "Toward the end of his term as chair in 1986, Dr. Pearson was approached by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and A.E. Hotcher about creating a camp for children with cancer. It developed into an adventure for him and a wonderful, magical opportunity for thousands of children since 1988 through what became The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. People at “Camp” called him “Doc.” Doc established the medical support at Camp for children with serious illnesses, which was critical to the success and fulfillment of Paul’s idea. Paul recognized how important that was and named Pearson Pond at Camp in Doc’s honor. In addition to being the Founding Medical Director of Camp, Dr. Pearson was its medical director and on-site physician for the first 14 summers. During his time at Camp, Doc carved nine totem poles, eight of which survive and can be seen in Camp’s Dining Hall. The totem poles capture the spirit and magic of Camp and its children, staff, and volunteers. Recently, Doc and a daughter-in-law wrote Fulfilling Paul Newman’s Dream—‘Raising a Little Hell’ and Healing at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which relates the Camp experience from his perspective. In his true spirit of giving, any profits from this book will be donated to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp." His office was the Sheriff's office, and he was the Sheriff.
Services
The camp's programs include year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics, and ongoing services for children, families and caregivers. These programs serve 20,000 children and family members annually. All of the services are provided free of charge. Each summer, the camp offers seven one-week sessions for children aged seven to fifteen diagnosed with cancer, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, metabolic and mitochondrial disorders, and other serious illnesses and conditions and one session for their healthy siblings. Weekend programs that run in the fall and spring provide a camp experience for the family unit. Activities at the camp include horseback riding, boating, swimming, fishing, crafts, archery, sports and recreation. The hospital outreach program serves children in hospitals across the Northeast. The camp's staff members make regular visits to these children, introducing services that are consistent with the spirit and programs offered in the camp's Ashford facility. The organization also offers regional family outreach programming across the Northeast for the families it serves.
Team Hole in the Wall
Team Hole in the Wall is an athletic fundraising initiative managed by the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Amateur athletes join up to raise a specified amount of funds and receive entrance to a marathon, bike ride or other athletic event in support of seriously ill children served by The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp or one of its associated camps around the world. Established in 2005, Team Hole in the Wall offers entrance into more than two dozen marathons and cycling events, including the New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon and AngelRide cycling event in Connecticut. New Canaan resident and Newman's OwnVice President of Marketing Michael "Mike" Havard ran in the ING New York City Marathon prior to 2004, but in that year he decided to use his participation to raise funds for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, raising nearly $40,000. The next year, he served as captain of the first Team Hole in the Wall team of 40 runners, raising $150,000. The number of Team Hole in the Wall members and events has risen each year since. In 2010, more than 1,800 Team Hole in the Wall members are expected to participate in 20 athletic events.
Funding
The camp relies upon contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations, receiving support from more than 25,000 annual donors and many organizations, including Newman's Own, AngelRide Charitable Trust, Travelers Championship, the International Longshoreman's Association Children's Fund, and Newman's college fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau. The camp also provides advice and financial support to other camps with similar missions, as part of the SeriousFun Children's Network, a worldwide association of camps for seriously ill children.
