Camp Welcomes First Families to Maryland Location

5/11/2026

This weekend, Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp welcomed families to the first of eight 2026 Family Camps at its new location on the Eastern Shore of Maryland – bringing joy, connection, and “a different kind of healing” to those often isolated by their diagnosis. With the launch of these Family Camps comes needed programming tailored for those in the rare and ultra-rare disease communities, a group who lack access to similar programs in the region according to a recent medical needs analysis.

“It was incredible to finally see our Maryland location filled with laughter and play,” said Hole in the Wall CEO Jimmy Canton. “It has always been our charge to do everything in our power to bring the healing of Hole in the Wall to those children and families most profoundly impacted by their diagnosis. With the launch of these Family Camps, we are doing just that, building community among those who did not previously have it. The need is great, and the impact is significant.”

Families of children with sickle cell disease, a rare disorder where red blood cells are crescent shaped and can clump together, blocking blood flow and causing pain crises and other issues, attended the first Family Camp. While onsite, families enjoyed arts & crafts, archery, swimming and so much more, surrounded by others who understand the challenges they face. But even more importantly, these families walked away with renewed hope and the understanding that they aren’t defined by their diagnosis.

In addition to families with sickle cell disease, who will also have a focused Family Camp in the fall, the remaining Family Camps will include:

Two Camps dedicated to families of children with cancer including children with Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency, a very rare condition where cancer continues to recur;
One Camp for children with metabolic and mitochondrial disorders, a group of disorders that occur when the mitochondria fail to produce enough energy;
One Camp for families of children with Neurofibromatosis, a rare disorder where the nervous system produces tumors throughout the body;
One Camp for children with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva or FOP, an ultra-rare genetic disorder where soft tissues progressively turn into bone;
One Camp for families of children with Progeria, a devastating diagnosis where children rapidly age and face the many challenges of the elderly when they are still in elementary school.

Each Family Camp will welcome up to 15 families and range from three to five days in length. These Camps come following an extensive renovation of the facility, which transformed 50,000 square feet of existing buildings into an inclusive, universally designed space, including a dining hall to accommodate 120 people, a maker’s space, a barrier free theater and dressing room filled with costumes, accessible residential rooms, and a state-of-the-art infirmary. Rooted in universal design, the facility ensures every child, regardless of medical need, can fully participate, build friendships, and simply experience the magic of camp. Over the course of 2026, nearly 500 children and family members will be served in the space. The start of Family Camps at this new location marks the beginning of a larger expansion that will include future facilities dedicated to camper-independent programming.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp-Maryland is located on the site of the former Aspen Institute’s 166-acre Wye River Conference Center in Queenstown, Md. The Institute was gifted the scenic property in 1979, and its Board generously donated it to Hole in the Wall after learning of Camp’s interest in expanding services in the region.

Learn more about Camp’s newest location here.

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Four people, three children and one adult, sit together outdoors on a wooden bench, smiling at the camera. They wear hoodies, and green bushes and tall grasses are in the background.

Connection for the “Hole” Family

11/15/2025

It truly takes a village to make one inspiring camper family’s story possible

Camper mom Cindy’s story begins in 2002, when she decided it was time to become a mom and adopt a child who needed a family. With the support of her family, she looked into where there was great need, and was led to China, where she adopted her first daughter, Katelyn, and decided then and there that she would come back to volunteer at the orphanage as a way of expressing her gratitude.

Over her years returning to China, Cindy again and again opened her heart to other children in need of homes – first a child awaiting surgery for a congenital heart defect. Then a child with Thalassemia, and another child with Thalassemia, starting her own organization specifically to support children with the diagnosis along the way. And then finally, in 2015, she completed her family, adopting a child who faced so many health challenges, they almost wouldn’t let her on the plane to come home to the United States.

Through it all, Cindy surrounded herself with a village of support who made her incredible adoption journey possible and who have helped her navigate the challenges she experienced as a single mother to five children – three of whom faced ongoing health challenges. From the community rallying to her side financially, to Boston Children’s Hospital’s continued advice and medical care, to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp programs, the outpouring from those around her ensured Cindy had the tools she needed for her children.

The family first learned about Hole in the Wall while receiving treatment at Boston Children’s, where they met Hospital Outreach specialist Jeremiah. His crafts, games and good humor were welcome distractions from the monotony of treatment, something the girls could look forward to.

“When we saw him, you would swear Santa walked through the door because the kids were so excited,” Cindy shared. “He had all these different activities to do, and it made transfusions easier.”

Jeremiah was the first one to mention Hole in the Wall’s summer program to the family. But then COVID happened, and the idea of summer Camp quickly fell off the radar. It wasn’t until a few years later, when their social worker mentioned Camp again, that the family’s interest was piqued. In 2023, her daughters Mia and Hannah attended a summer session.

And the next year, when Cindy learned that her youngest daughter Sariah could also come to Camp, the family attended a Family Weekend together to get Sariah comfortable. She couldn’t wait to go back. So in the summer of 2025, Sariah came to Camp for her first summer session, where she met Sylvie, another camper, also adopted from China, with the same diagnosis.

“There was just this unspoken commonality both being from China; both being adopted; and both having a liver transplant,” Cindy said. “I don’t even think I can put it into words just how meaningful it was. It’s remarkable because they feel like they are not alone in the world with what they’ve gone through and what they are continuing to go through. And they can just be kids, and I don’t need to think about the medications and who is going to make sure that happens. It’s all taken care of, and I don’t need to worry.”

And while Sariah and Hannah were at Hole in the Wall this summer, Cindy not only got a break from worrying about who was taking care of her children’s care, she also got some TLC for herself when she attended a Parent and Caregiver Retreat Weekend.

“That was just a complete unexpected gift to be able to go and be with the parents,” Cindy said. “It was funny, and we cried, and we ate, and we laughed, and we ate, and it was unreal. I just have this enormous amount of gratitude for what you guys do in thinking about the whole family.”

Learn more about how Hole in the Wall provides wrap-around support to each member of the family and explore our programs.

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A young person lies on a medical bed with an ice pack on their stomach, while three adults smile and engage with them in a brightly lit room, showing a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

A Continuation of Care

11/20/2024 by Beth Starkin

When a Camper has acute medical needs at Camp, Hole in the Wall is there every step of the way

One of the things that makes Hole in the Wall so special is that it is so much more than a place in Connecticut. Campers and families can find Camp hope and magic in their hometowns, in the hospital and even through the mail all throughout the year. And when that support is most needed, a friendly face is never far.

While campers and families excitedly look forward to their time at the summer program, sometimes their medical needs require them to leave early to get the care that they need. But when that happens, Camp is right there by their side.

With safety guiding all that happens at Camp, there is an extensive protocol in place for when a camper becomes acutely ill during the summer program. When a child comes into the infirmary with an emergent issue, they are assessed and continually monitored to ascertain the severity of their condition. And while the infirmary is well-equipped for many emergencies, something that could escalate quickly warrants a trip to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where they can receive the most comprehensive care.

“Our infirmary has incredible diagnostic capabilities and is often faster than the emergency room in identifying those children with acute needs,” said Emily Ring, Nursing Director at Hole in the Wall. “While the goal is for campers to remain at Camp, when illness severity warrants a transfer, we always ensure there is a nurse or child life specialist who accompanies the camper in the ambulance, who can share relevant information with the hospital and make certain there is a smooth transition.”

And while having to leave Camp is disappointing, Hole in the Wall never leaves the child, starting with their counselor, who stays with them throughout their time in the infirmary, on the way to the hospital, and even in the hospital, until a parent is able to join them.

Once at Connecticut Children’s, campers find often familiar faces, with doctors, nurses and child life specialists who have volunteered at Camp and can bond with them over their shared experiences.

Thanks to an internal communications network, the Hospital Outreach and Family Outreach teams are also notified when a camper leaves for Connecticut Children’s and both teams jump into action. With Hospital Outreach specialists onsite just about every day, the Central New England team is ready to bring some Camp magic right to the camper’s bedside.

“One of the things that makes our program so unique is that we do a continuation of care,” said Jimmy Guity, Hospital Outreach Program Regional Manager, Central New England. “Whenever a camper is admitted, we will see them that day. We’ll do a Camp activity and have conversations about Camp. It’s a warm handoff so that the camper feels comfortable.”

Family Outreach also is at the ready and will reach out to the camper family to discuss ways Hole in the Wall can bring them a little cheer during what can be a difficult time. Often times, this means the team will pack up a care package filled to the brim with Camp goodies, games and crafts designed to brighten up the child’s day. It’s a small gesture that means the world to that child.

Learn more about how Camp programming is designed to provide “a different kind of healing” at every stage of a child journey with serious illnesses here.