The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp GAZETTE Spring 2013 Undeniably Paul Newman A Daughter’s Refl ection Board Member Lissy Newman, who continues her father’s legacy at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, reveals a secret about Camp’s Founder and the common ground that he shared with the campers. IN THIS ISSUE What’s New at Camp . .2 One of the things that I think and paled in comparison to who he Above: Board Member and volunteer cabin my father hated about being famous really was. They glossed over so many CEO Message . .2 counselor Lissy Newman with a camper. was the constant scrutiny. I would things that he deeply cared about Our 2012 Volunteers . .3 imagine that this is not an unusual and was proud of. He understood Top photo: Founder Paul Newman surrounded by campers and kindred spirits feeling if you are a celebrity. For some, what it was like to have people make Our 2012 Team Members . .3 at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. it may be a simple annoyance; for assumptions about you based on little Hospital Outreach on the Go . .5 others, a real constraint. or no information. And I imagine that in sandboxes and playrooms being Sheriff’s Spotlight I can remember being chased his ability to connect with campers at silly in a way most people would never Our corporate partners . .5 by paparazzi through the streets of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp had a imagine and most people would never Paris so tenaciously that we had to little bit to do with that. see – unless, of course, you were a Camper Corral . .5 abandon our plans and sneak back to It makes sense that he wanted to camper at Hole in the Wall. Then you Pardner Profi le our hotel. I remember family meals at create a place where kids who might got to see it all the time because the Remarkable Camp staff & friends . .6 restaurants interrupted by an unending feel some of the same sort of scrutiny nice thing about Camp for my Dad Our Events . .6 barrage of press – some of it insightful, and misunderstanding would have was that (don’t tell anyone) he got to some woefully misguided. And then a place - a private place, a wonderful remember who he was and be that Team Update . .7 there were the tabloids, like biting place - where they could remember person with abandon. Everything he Saddle Up for Camp fl ies, obsessed with nastiness and who they are and then be that person gave to the campers they gave back Highlighting community support . 7 provocation. I think my father took with abandon. And they would have to him a million times over, and they most of this in stride, as much as a lots of company. probably understood more about who human person can. But I also think it I’ll tell you a secret about my he was than most grownups. left him with a profound understanding Dad ... He was a wacky guy. He liked Anyone involved with Camp has of what it means to be misunderstood. goofy hats and crazy ideas. He liked probably read this quote: “I wanted, I told him once that I imagined inventing things with wire and duct I think, to acknowledge luck: the being him was like standing behind a tape, and building noisy, clattering chance of it, the benevolence of it Be sure to “like” us on Facebook billboard cutout so large that no one sculptures out of silverware in fancy in my life, and the brutality of it in www.facebook.com/holeinthewallgangcamp could really see you. I always think that restaurants. Know how I know these the lives of others ...” My father was and follow us on Twitter. the run-of-the-mill star attributes that things? Because he had grandchildren, continued on page 7 www.twitter.com/holewallcamp were ascribed to him were shallow and I watched him hang out for hours From the CEO A few years ago, as we contemplated how best to celebrate Camp’s 25th Anniversary, we all agreed that we did not simply want to recognize past accomplishments. We wanted to present a vision for the future. What was Camp’s calling for the next 25 years? This past December, after two years of refl ection, planning and discussion, Camp’s Board of Directors approved a fi ve-year strategic plan. In this exciting next chapter of Camp’s story, we will What’s New extend our hand to serve more deeply those we already serve, at Camp while at the same time looking to expand more broadly our reach to more seriously ill children bolder opportunities to improve the This fall, Camp kicked off an member in a then mobile, year-round throughout the Northeast. lives of seriously ill children. exciting partnership with Connecticut Camp experiment that later became In 1988, Camp welcomed Camp has been given many Public Television (CPTV), a locally and known as HOP. A decade later, this 288 campers. In 2012, Camp blessings during the past 25 years. nationally recognized media service of experiment of bringing the fun and served more than 20,000 seriously First and foremost, we were fortunate the Connecticut Public Broadcasting friendship of Camp to hospitalized ill children and family members. to have the vision and commitment of Network. Throughout Camp’s yearlong children has grown to a staff of 20 now By 2017, Camp hopes to be an extraordinary Founder. We have an 25th anniversary celebration, CPTV is visiting 26 locations throughout the reaching more than 30,000 exceptionally engaged and caring Board featuring special programming that Northeast. children and family members of Directors and a loyal, growing base recognizes Camp’s contributions to In January, Camp launched in our region annually. of supporters. Camp also has strong bringing joy to seriously ill children the fi rst online “Healing Feeling” There are fi ve priorities human resources, attracting hundreds of and their families. In October, CPTV story, which is part of a series outlined in our strategic plan, compassionate, playful and responsible re-aired “The Power of Giving: honoring Camp’s 25th anniversary which is available on our web site. staff members and volunteers. But most Philanthropy,” a one-hour CPTV celebration. The fi rst profi le shares the We intend to reach more acutely importantly, Camp has the privilege of documentary profi ling The Hole in unforgettable friendship of Hannah ill children by expanding Hospital making a positive, healing diff erence the Wall Gang Camp and featuring an and Janis, who formed a special bond Outreach services, deepen our in the lives of thousands of seriously ill interview with Founder Paul Newman. at Camp during the last two years services to families currently children and family members every year. The documentary “Genesis,” which that has allowed them to experience served through the launch And the greatest gift we have been given was produced by Camp several years “a diff erent kind of healing.” In the of Camp in the Community is the faith that our parents, guardians ago and tells the story of its creation, video, the campers and their mothers programs, enhance services and health care professionals place in us. will also be broadcast this spring. recall the spontaneous moment when through continuous research To all of you who believe in Camp’s And next fall, CPTV will premiere a Janis connected with a reserved and data collection, upgrade our mission, I want to say thank you. We comprehensive 25th anniversary Hannah and how the two have physical plant to accommodate will continue to do all we can to bring “a documentary that is currently being become best friends as they cope with the growing needs of those we diff erent kind of healing” and a little bit fi lmed about the evolution of the mitochondrial disease together. The welcome onsite, and commit of mischief to the brave and beautiful Camp’s services. Throughout the story of Hannah and Janis and other ourselves to exploring new and children we are so privileged to serve. year, CPTV is also sharing the magic “Healing Feeling” stories are on our web of Camp by airing a series of PSAs site at www.holeinthewallgang.org. produced by Camp’s pro bono friends In 2013, The Hero’s Journey at Grey Group. Stay tuned! Program will host three “Hero’s Quest” In December, Connecticut weekend retreats at Camp. Designed to Camp’s Children’s Medical Center honored complement the summer program’s fi ve The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s weeklong wilderness excursions for teens Time Capsule Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) and and young adults, these new, off -season staff for a 10-year partnership with the Hero’s Quest retreats will enable recent Picture it … Ashford, Conn. … 1988. A group of energetic staff and excited volunteers hospital’s Division of Child and Family participants and alumni to reconnect – under the oversight of Butch Cassidy himself – open their hearts for the much- Support Services. In 2002, Connecticut with their peers, discuss life challenges anticipated arrival of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s fi rst group of campers. That Children’s Medical Center was the fi rst- and confront perceived limitations inaugural summer, the Camp served just 288 brave and beautiful children. As the ever hospital visited by a Camp staff through adventure-based activities. Camp celebrates its 25th anniversary, its reach has grown throughout the Northeast to serve more than 20,000 children and family members annually.