Seriousfun Chldren's network
SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman, is a growing global community of independently managed and financed camps and programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families.
SeriousFun Children’s Network
SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman, is a growing global community of independently managed and financed camps and programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families. The name “SeriousFun” captures Paul’s belief in the power of taking fun seriously and was an expression he liked and used. The name reflects both the “serious” components of impact and outcomes and the “fun” experience of camp.
Together, SeriousFun camps and programs empower children with serious illnesses and their families to reimagine what is possible by creating inclusive camp and recreational experiences, inspiring confidence and joy, and building community and connection.
Each SeriousFun Member Camp is an independent, not-for-profit organization dependent upon private funding to serve children free of charge. SeriousFun programming and facilities are skillfully adapted to be inclusive and accessible, taking into consideration the medical conditions and needs of all campers. In addition, SeriousFun Partner Programs deliver the camp experience to children with serious illnesses in resource-limited locations through collaborations with other international organizations.
The medical expertise at Member Camps enables them to support children with more than 50 different types of conditions including cancer, HIV, blood disorders, heart diseases, neurologic conditions, and genetic and metabolic disorders. Through programming delivered via camp and outreach programs, children are empowered to reach beyond the barriers of their conditions to build connections and foster resilience.
By the numbers
- 30 camps and programs worldwide
- Provided more than 82,200 camp experiences at SeriousFun camps and programs in 2020
- Delivered more than 1.4 MILLION camp experiences to children and their family members from more than 50 countries since the first camp opened in 1988, totally free of charge
- Had a reach of more than 1.5 MILLION through innovative public online programming touchpoints broadcast on social media and other virtual channels in 2020
Serious Impact
In 2020, SeriousFun Children’s Network partnered with the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) to conduct a first-of-its-kind study that examined the influence of camp participation on outcomes for 2,000 alumni campers, aged 17-30, of SeriousFun Member Camps around the world. Alumni campers reported that the SeriousFun camp experience was influential in their development of lasting outcomes, with the most notable being their willingness to try new things (90% of respondents), appreciation of diversity (88%), self-identity (86%), empathy and compassion (86%), self-confidence (85%), perseverance (84%), and friendship skills (82%).
In addition, a 2014-2015 evaluation by Yale University’s Child Study Center showed that parents of SeriousFun campers found that their children showed improved confidence, higher self-esteem, a greater sense of independence and increased interest in social activities after attending camp.
The medical expertise at Member Camps enables them to support children with more than 50 different types of conditions including cancer, HIV, blood disorders, heart diseases, neurologic conditions, and genetic and metabolic disorders. Through programming delivered via camp and outreach programs, children are empowered to reach beyond the barriers of their conditions to build connections and foster resilience.
Locations
SeriousFun camps and programs are located in the United States, Europe, and Israel, as well as in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The Support Center, based in Norwalk, CT, works with the camps to maintain standards of excellence, provide training and technical expertise, raise money and foster program innovation.
