The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp offers a transformative camp experience for children with serious illnesses and their families, completely free of charge.
▌ Editor's read The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's website, holeinthewallgang.org, loads successfully and provides comprehensive information about its mission and programs. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards for health, safety, and program quality. Founded by Paul Newman in 1988, the camp has been operating for 37 years as a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing 'a different kind of healing' for children with serious illnesses and their families, free of charge. The camp offers overnight programs, including summer camp, family weekends, and hospital outreach. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews average 4.9 stars from over 300 reviews, with many praising the camp's positive impact on children's lives and the dedication of its staff. Social media presence is strong with an active Instagram (@holeinthewallgang) and Facebook (holeinthewallgang) presence.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 198937+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 7–15
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1989 (37 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 7–15
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Address: 565 Ashford Center Road, Ashford, CT 06278
- Cost notes: Free of charge to children with serious illnesses and their families.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
- What ages does The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp accept?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is open to children ages 7–15. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp cost?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Free of charge to children with serious illnesses and their families. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
- What are The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's hours?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp accredited?
- Yes — The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 37 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 37 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provide lunch?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp compare to other specialty camps in Ashford?
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is one of 8 specialty camps in Ashford that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp · Ashford, Connecticut, USA · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #1 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #2 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #3 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #4 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #5 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15
- The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Session #6 · Ashford, CT · Ages 7–15