As a donor we have seen the camp in action. What a great place. Dedication to the kids and their experience, high quality staff, fun experiences, everything that makes for a memorable time for the kids and their families. It is a unique atmosphere with a creative team who puts the kids first and it shows.
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An amazing experience - for children with disabilities and their families there may not be a better more fun place around. There is a basketball court from the LA Lakers with the Lakers hardwood floor (and the logo), a pool shaped like a whale, a medical building that is like a visit to Hawaii, lodging that is like a resort camp vacation, arts & crafts lead by a dedicated craftsman, activities that you would not imagine being in a camp like this and most importantly friendly and inspired staff. From the camp counselors, activity leaders, medical staff on site to the admin staff everyone puts the kids, families and their experience first. The success of this program is built on the amazing people who work and volunteer there and on the fabulous generosity of their donors from the companies that donate toys for the kids, to the volunteers who make quilts and stuffed turtles for the children everyone matters here!
We are proud to support The Painted Turtle’s innovative camp programs for families and children with more than 30 medical conditions. These fun summer and family weekend camp-based programs are provided at no cost to the participants. It’s our honor to support them in their fundraising efforts through our Cars 4 Causes Vehicle Donation Program. We applaud their efforts to make a difference!
They say that Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth. Not so. Just ask anybody who has spent anytime in any capacity at the Painted Turtle Camp. It doesn't matter if you are a camper,volunteer,staff, family of a camper or a visiter of the yearly open house. You will walk away a changed person. The love is evident. They staff and volunteers care for your children as if they were their family. I am always amazed at the energy of everyone there. We have been attending family weekend for about 6 years and our son attends week long summer sessions for about 4 years. We go at not cost to us. They have volunteer medical staff from some of the best hospitals not only in the area but in the country.
The camp experiance is alive and well at the Turtle. Camp songs are sung, goofy dances are the norm, laughter is a must, and good vibe is a rule. Fun is a serious buisness. And you and your kids are safe to be your silly, dilly self. Everyone has heard you get out of it, what you put into it. It could never be truer than at the Painted Turtle. If you embrace the madness and just let go and go with the flow you will have a life changing experiance. Every kids just want to be normal, more so for the kids with chronic and life threatening illnesses. And here they are the norm. No one looks twice at scars, ports, prosthetics. There is no taunting from other kids that medications are taken, that shots are given, breathing treatments are scheduled.
You get support not only from the staff but the kids support each other. I as a kid never went to camp and never thought about it. But if I knew camp was like the Painted Turtle I would have morned it my whole kidhood. I wish my son was 100% healthy, but I am so happy there is a place like the Painted Turtle.