Over The Wall Camp is a UK children’s charity that provides transformational experiences for young people with health challenges, and their families.
It’s fair to say this charity’s roots are a little unusual! The story begins in 1980, with a Hollywood actor and a bathtub full of salad dressing. Let’s look back at Over The Wall Camp’s origin story…
1980 - A bathtub full of salad dressing!
As a Hollywood icon, Paul Newman’s career in film, TV and stage spanned over six decades. Paul appeared in 62 films, and received ten Oscar nominations, plus one win. In addition to these achievements, Paul was also a director, producer and accomplished race car driver, but it was in December in 1980, that his philanthropic endeavors began…
A few days before Christmas, Paul called his friend, the playwright and novelist, A.E Hotchner, asking him if he could come over and ‘help him with something.’ When Hotchner arrived, he found Paul stirring a bathtub full of vinegar and olive oil, next to several old wine bottles. Paul had decided to create his own salad dressing, and after mixing the first batch, they bottled it up before distributing it as gifts whilst carol singing in the local area.
The dressing was such a hit with the locals, that it wasn’t long before they were asking for more. As demand grew, a business was born. When Paul and Hotchner considered what to do with the money, Paul said, “Let’s give it all away to those who need it!”
1986 – Paul Newman has a vision!
In 1986, Paul announced that with the profits from his ‘Newman’s Own’ products, he wanted to create a purpose-built residential activity camp, free to children with serious illness. Paul’s vision was to provide a place for these children to escape the limitations of their illness and “kick back and raise a little hell.”
1988 – The camp dream becomes a reality!
In June 1988, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp opened its doors. The centre in Connecticut provided a free programme of traditional summer camp activities, adapted so that children with physical and medical limitations could participate.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp enabled the children to safely challenge the limitations of their illness and discover their abilities. It was an accepting place, where campers could connect with other children facing similar challenges, and reduce their feelings of isolation.
1993 – Why not do it again?!
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was hugely successful, and there was clearly a demand for more magical places like it. In July 1993, Paul Newman co-founded a second camp, with amusement park developer and philanthropist, Charles R. Wood.
Double H Ranch was set up in New York, and just like Paul’s first camp, it was soon providing unforgettable experiences for children with serious illnesses.
1994 – Camp goes global!
Following in the footsteps of the first two camps, Paul’s model goes global! With a generous donation of a 500-acre estate from the Irish Government, Barretstown in Ireland became the first camp outside of the U.S.
As the third camp founded by Paul Newman, a global movement was developing, which later came to be known as the SeriousFun Children’s Network.
1999 – Over The Wall is founded!
After businessman Joe Woods arranged for children from the UK to be flown to The Hole in The Wall Gang in the US, a friendship developed between himself and Paul Newman. In 1999, the two of them made the decision to set up a camp in the UK.
When Over The Wall first launched, it catered for 25 children with cancer. After that first camp, the charity went from strength to strength, providing camps for various illnesses across several different locations in the UK. The charity would be the first in the country to run medically safe residential activity camps where children with serious illnesses could rediscover the joy of childhood.
So, what’s happened since?
Unlike its overseas counterparts, Over The Wall did not have the benefit of a site, or land; simply the dedication of a team and an idea that somehow, this could still work.
So, for 25 years, teams of dedicated mischief-makers, medical staff and volunteers packed up their medical equipment, their activities and their ideas and moved around the country. Since the charity was founded, it has operated by renting different sites and constantly adapting to changing environments and logistical challenges.
One thing that has remained consistent, is the charity’s immeasurable impact and commitment to providing life-changing experiences for children and families.
Whilst no one could argue about the quality of the camps – even Ofsted rated the charity ‘Outstanding’ – this model was limiting, and not sustainable. In 2019, thanks to their enormous efforts, the charity provided residential camp experiences for over 1000 campers across the country. But, they also realised that was their ceiling with the current model.
So in 2024, after years of searching, this little charity took a big step… Over The Wall Camp took on the 40-year lease of a 17-acre ex-boarding school in the Derbyshire countryside.
What does having a permanent home mean for Over The Wall Camp?
Over The Wall Camp will open the doors to its new home in July 2026! Having its own home means the charity is now free from many previous restrictions it faced. Thousands more campers will be able to rediscover the magic of childhood! The medical team will be able to provide a greater variety of care, and look after children with more complex conditions. New camp traditions will be started, legacies will be left, and countless moments of mischief and magic will be created.
Over The Wall Camp’s past is inspiring, its present is hugely impactful, and its future is incredibly exciting!