SeriousFun Children’s Network

SeriousFun Children’s Network (SeriousFun), founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, is the leading network of medical specialty camps in the world. Together, we 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. 

The SeriousFun camp experience – whether at camp or through a variety of outreach programs – is designed to be inclusive and accessible, taking into account the different medical conditions and needs of all campers. The medical expertise present at the Network’s 30 camps and programs, coupled with psychosocial support, makes it possible support children living with more than 130 different medical conditions including cancer, HIV, blood disorders, heart conditions, neurologic conditions, and genetic and metabolic conditions.

In 2020, SeriousFun 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%). 

Thanks to the service of thousands of volunteer physicians, nurses, and specialists, along with other caring and dedicated supporters, SeriousFun has delivered more than 1.7 million life-changing experiences to kids living with serious illnesses and their families, totally free of charge, since the first camp opened in 1988.