What do a famous movie star, patchwork quilts, silly dancing, and giggling kids have in common? The answer: Camp Boggy Creek, a place just north of Orlando where seriously ill kids can go to “forget they have what they have.” It’s a place where life is celebrated on 232 acres of land covered with winding nature trails to explore, horses to ride, and exciting fishing holes to reel in the “big one.”

Famous Founder and a Far-Reaching Mission
Actor Paul Newman played an integral role in establishing Camp Boggy Creek, one of an international family of free camps and programs, known as Hole in the Wall Camp, that provide life-changing experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.  Camp Boggy Creek, the only Hole in the Wall Camp in Florida, strives to help seriously ill kids have fun, create memories, and get away from the reality of their condition for a brief period, all in a physically and medically safe environment. Since the camp opened in 1996, more than 50,000 campers and their families have found empathy, acceptance, and recreation at this oasis for kids with medical challenges.

Fitting In and Having Fun
Gracie Arnold’s mom will tell you that having cancer is not much fun.  “Because of the ordeals associated with our daughter’s cancer, sometimes Gracie didn’t know exactly where she fit in, except when she went to Boggy Creek,” states Lauren Finn Arnold. At the age of six, Gracie was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer found mostly in children under the age of seven. While receiving treatments at University of Florida’s Shands Pediatric Clinic, Gracie’s doctor told them about Camp Boggy Creek and its twenty disease-specific family retreats offered throughout the year. “It was such an incredible experience to know that we weren’t alone,” Gracie’s mom recalls. “Camp Boggy Creek gave our family the opportunity to connect with each other, as well as with others just like us.”

When Gracie was ten years old, she joined approximately 150 kids during the summer for a weeklong camp session, during which they were able to forget the challenges associated with their disease and just be kids. They enjoyed traditional camp activities, such as swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and making friends—activities often taken for granted by many of us, but made possible for these children by the caring staff at Camp Boggy Creek.

Today, Gracie is back in school and her recovery is considered by many to be miraculous! She and her family will never forget the time they spent at Camp Boggy Creek.

The Function Behind the Fun
Camp Boggy Creek boasts a complete medical facility, dubbed The Patch, supported by on-staff medical professionals, as well as volunteer physicians and nurses. Children can receive treatment ranging from a Band-Aid for a scraped knee, to dialysis or chemotherapy.

Over 1,800 volunteers are needed to run this high energy camp each year. “People come from all over the world to volunteer,” states Marian Jakubiak, a Volunteer Coordinator for the Camp. “Many of the camp counselors and family pals are college students, but we have volunteers from all walks of life and all ages. Once people spend a little time here, they always want more of the magic.”

UCF Engineering graduate Brian Keirnan says that his time at the Camp was a life-changing experience. He learned of Camp Boggy Creek through his fraternity and spent two summers serving, first as a camp counselor and later in the wood shop. His enthusiasm is palpable as he reflects on his experiences. “At the Camp, the kids have a voice and they are empowered. They grow as individuals and become more independent,” he notes. “Going there just re-centers you. The look on the kids’ faces draws you in, and you just want to keep coming back. For many, the experience begins a lifelong cycle of helping.” Brian adds that the most rewarding aspect of working at the Camp is the knowledge that he is making a difference.

Like the many colorful quilts adorning the buildings at the facility, the campers, volunteers, and staff members’ lives are stitched together at Camp Boggy Creek to create lasting bonds that enrich the lives of all.

To find out more about getting involved, go to www.BoggyCreek.org or call toll free 866.GO.BOGGY, ext.293.

Do You Have What it Takes?

• Volunteers needed, age 19 and up from all walks of life and with a variety of skill sets.
• Volunteer for a day, or for weeks—it is up to you!
• Counselors needed, along with help in the kitchen, on the grounds, with the horses or a variety of other jobs.
• Volunteers go through a comprehensive background check and interview.

Support the Camp by hosting or participating in fundraisers in your community, making individual donations, or by providing items from the Needs List appearing on the website.