Updates & Stories That Inspire
The Official Blog of SeriousFun
Spotlight Stories
Evan Found a Fast Track to Hope Through Camp
“The camp experience brought back that joy, that spontaneity. It gave Evan independence and confidence that we hadn’t seen before.” – Joanie, Evan’s Mom
How Camp Helped Ellena Feel Like She Belongs.
“I always just try to keep moving forward. It’s the best thing you can do.” Ellena was born with CLOVES Syndrome, a condition so rare that only around 300 people in the world share it. She had brain surgery at six weeks old. She grew up with a prosthetic foot she calls her “super foot.”…
Adam Felt Like an Outsider. Camp Changed That.
“I feel like camp made me much more hopeful and accepting of life.” Adam was born with multiple serious heart conditions, including hypoplasia of the aorta, described in medical literature as an exceedingly rare, and Ebstein’s anomaly, which occurs in less than 1% of all congenital heart disease cases. Within days of his birth, he had…
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SeriousFun Camps Create Positive Childhood Experiences
In the U.S. alone, 1 in 5 children live with special healthcare needs. For these kids, childhood often includes hospital rooms, treatment schedules, and long stretches of isolation. They face nearly double the risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to their peers, leading to poorer physical health, mental health challenges, and reduced well-being later in life. This is why positive childhood experiences (PCEs) matter even more for kids facing illness. These positive experiences act as a protective antidote to traumatic childhood events—promoting…
You Helped Liam Find His People
“Since it was a camp for all people, I knew that I would really belong here.” ~Liam Born weighing just 13 ounces, Liam entered the world with a mere 6% chance of survival. His early life was a delicate balancing act of 14 surgeries, countless blood transfusions, and constant support from breathing devices. Every day…
You Helped Them Be Friends First, Patients Second
“I never thought a child would come up to me and say, ’Look, Mom, he shakes like me.’ It really moved me.” Federico’s mom Riccardo and Federico’s story begins not at camp, but at a place most families never want to know well: the pediatric ward. It was there that both boys faced leukemia together,…
You Helped Áine Climb Again
A sudden loss of balance on a family holiday was all it took to turn the lives of Áine and her family upside down. At seven years old, Áine was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Overnight, her new normal became one filled with hospitals, seemingly endless months of chemotherapy, and the long road of recovery. During treatment, Áine had lost much…
You Helped Hannah Find Her Team, Her Voice, and Her Way Forward
“To spend a week without being asked what’s wrong… that’s powerful.” Hannah arrived at Victory Junction, the SeriousFun camp in North Carolina, with a love for basketball and a quiet hope to belong. Too often in her life, people noticed her wheelchair before they noticed her talent. At camp, everything changed. She was seen first…
You Helped Bless Believe She Has a Future Worth Fighting For
“At camp there is a lot of love and unity, things I have never experienced from my family and friends at school.” ~ Bless When Bless first arrived at Salama Camp, a SeriousFun camp in Tanzania, her world was heavy with confusion and isolation. At just 15, she had already faced what no child should:…
You Changed Violet’s Life and Now She’s Paying It Forward
“Camp taught me I’m more than my diagnosis. It gave me the confidence to lead and the courage to speak up.” – Violet As a kid living with HIV, Violet faced stigma and isolation in her community. She was uncertain of her future: What could a happy and healthy life with HIV look like? For…
You Helped Liloo Find Freedom and Belonging She’ll Carry for Life
“We are outside, there are nurses who are there to monitor just in case. We are free, we are peaceful. I don’t think about the illness, about things like that. My heart is more at peace.” ~Liloo From the moment Liloo arrived at L’ENVOL, the SeriousFun camp in France, she encountered something she’d never come…
A Good Day to Do Some Good: Celebrating DAF Day
From budget cuts to humanitarian crises, this year has been full of uncertainty. But one thing remains certain: when we stand together, we make an impact. That’s why SeriousFun Children’s Network is proud to participate in DAF Day, a national celebration of generosity through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). Today, all across the country, people who believe…
Meet Betty, Camp Director Bringing New Beginnings to Children in Ethiopia
At SeriousFun Children’s Network, our Partner Programs are constantly creating opportunities for joy, connection, and growth. Across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, more than 1,400 children and caregivers joined our camp community this past quarter through residential sessions, family camps, and hospital outreach. Behind these numbers are leaders who make camp possible — and one…
A Lifetime of Impact: How Camp Shaped Babu
Watching the children leave their worries behind, laughing, and embracing every moment was deeply inspiring. It showed me that, despite life’s challenges, we have the strength to rise above and find joy. ~ Babu Seenappa When Babu first arrived at Camp Rainbow, a SeriousFun program run in partnership with the renowned healthcare and research organization…
Congratulations to Dr. Laura Blaisdell, Newman’s Own Foundation’s “Newmanitarian® of the Month”
Newman’s Own Foundation honored SeriousFun Children’s Network Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Blaisdell as its Newmanitarian® of the Month for September, celebrating her dedication to creating safe, joyful spaces where children with serious medical conditions can truly thrive. Click here to read more. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Dr. Laura!
An Interview with Al Roker: Conversations That Still Inspire
Yesterday, September 1, 2025 Al Roker’s heartfelt interview with Clea Newman at Double H Ranch, a SeriousFun camp in NY was re-aired during The Upside portion of TODAY. In case you missed this special feature the first time it aired, Clea reflects on her father Paul Newman’s vision and the lasting impact of SeriousFun Children’s…
S’more Fun for Everyone: How Camps Make a Classic Treat Inclusive
Nothing says “camp” quite like a s’more. The union of a crunchy graham cracker exterior with a sweet, melty center is a time-honored treat that’s beloved by campers and counselors alike. At SeriousFun Children’s Network camps, making s’mores isn’t just about the snacks (though those are pretty great). It’s about making sure every camper—regardless of medical diagnosis or…
Clea Newman on Her Father’s Legacy in The Irish Times
Clea Newman, SeriousFun Children’s Network Ambassador and daughter of SeriousFun founder Paul Newman, recently spoke with The Irish Times about her father’s playful spirit, his lifelong commitment to giving back, and the joy that sparked a global network of camps. “He was kind of like a big kid himself. He loved to just play with…