The Painted Turtle
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Mission Statement
The Painted Turtle's mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The Painted Turtle supports children's medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond illnesses, and provides care, education and respite for their families. All campers and families attend free of charge.
About This Cause
History & Statement of Need: Prior to opening, The Painted Turtle collaborated with the California Children’s Hospital Association, Center for Child Health Outcomes, and Family Voices to conduct an assessment to determine the need for a medical specialty camp in California. The study confirmed that there were thousands of underserved children in California with chronic illnesses who did not have access to a camp due to their medical conditions. The study also found that these children can significantly benefit from a positive camp experience. Children with chronic illnesses are constantly placed in dependent situations, such as taxing daily regimens, preventative and emergency medical procedures, numerous prescription medications, and environmental restrictions for the purpose of improved health or even survival. Activities at camp put kids in control, empowering them to discover who they are and instilling in them the skills, confidence, and healthcare knowledge needed to thrive at their highest potential. The Painted Turtle’s 173-acre camp and state-of-the-art medical facility is located in Lake Hughes, CA, just north of Los Angeles. We are a member of the SeriousFun network of camps founded by actor Paul Newman (formerly known as the Association of the Hole in the Wall Camps), yet we operate under our own 501(c)(3) charitable designation. Each camp is responsible for its own fundraising and has its own Board of Directors. These camps are considered to be the finest multi-disease medical camps and family care centers in the world, and have served more than 1,500,000 people through 30 camps across the globe. The Painted Turtle is also accredited by the American Camp Association and operates under the Federal Tax ID# 95-4612481. Who We Serve: The Painted Turtle’s Medical Specialty Camp Program offers children ages 6-17 with serious medical conditions the opportunity to participate in an authentic camp program, all while receiving the highest quality of medical care. Throughout the spring and fall, the camp hosts Family Weekend programs for children with serious illnesses and their parents, siblings, and other family caregivers. During the summer, we host Summer Sessions exclusively for children with specific conditions. In a typical year, onsite camp sessions included 8 week-long Summer Sessions, 10 Family Weekends, and 2 - Day Camp Events. All camp sessions are medical-condition specific. In addition, we conduct 2 - 3 "Camp on the Move" programs every year whereby we organize special day events in different regions of California. And "The Outpost" hospital outreach program delivers camp activities to children in more than 19 hospitals and clinics throughout the state. Children served at camp are between the ages of 6-17 with the following conditions: Adrenal Insufficiency ♥ ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy) ♥ Arthritis ♥ ataxia ♥ cerebral palsy ♥ congenital adrenal hyperplasia ♥ craniofacial disorders ♥ cystic fibrosis ♥ epilepsy ♥ gastrointestinal disease and transplant ♥ genetic conditions ♥ hemophilia/von Willebrand disease ♥ inflammatory bowel disease ♥ kidney disease and transplant ♥ limb loss and deficiencies ♥ liver disease and transplant ♥ lupus ♥ metabolic conditions ♥ mucopolysaccharidosis ♥ muscular dystrophy ♥ neuromuscular diseases ♥ ostomies ♥ paraplegia ♥ PKU (phenylketonuria) ♥ primary immunodeficiency diseases ♥ pulmonary hypertension ♥ rheumatic conditions ♥ skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism) ♥ spina bifida ♥ TMA (thrombotic microangiopathy) ♥ thalassemia ♥ total parenteral nutrition/gastrointestinal tube feeding ♥ Wegener’s granulomatosis Recreational Programs and Goals: We never forget that first and foremost our goal is to offer our campers the opportunity to come to camp to reclaim their childhoods – to swim and fish, ride horses, sing campfire songs, and make friends that will last a lifetime. Camp activities are strategically designed to inspire self‐confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and responsibility. Our intentional activities offer children the opportunity to explore their creativity and hidden talents in a safe environment that offers positive reinforcement. All recreational programs and facilities are universally accessible to campers with medical conditions and disabilities and are used year-round: Adaptive Sports ♥ Archery ♥ Arts & Crafts ♥ Boating ♥ Fishing ♥ Gym ♥ Horseback Riding ♥ Music ♥ Performing Arts ♥ Rock Climbing Wall ♥ Ropes Courses ♥ Silly Olympics ♥ Swimming ♥ Team Building Initiatives ♥ Woodshop ♥ Zip Line In a typical year, we serve more than 6,000 children and family members.