On this episode of the Charity Charged Show, we sit down with Hilary Axtmayer, Chief Program Officer of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, to talk about one of the most meaningful nonprofit expansions happening this year.
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was created to give children with serious illnesses something they are too often denied: the chance to simply be kids. More than three decades later, the organization is serving thousands of children and families across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and in 2025 it is opening a second residential camp location in Maryland.
This conversation goes beyond the headline of expansion. It digs into the origin of the camp’s name, the magic of its programs, Hilary’s 25-year journey from counselor to executive leader, and the careful work required to scale without losing the soul of the mission.
Overview
Where the Name Comes From and Why It Matters
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp takes its name from Paul Newman’s role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where the “Hole in the Wall Gang” represented camaraderie, mischief, and belonging. That spirit became the foundation of the camp itself.
As Hilary explains, even the physical design of the Connecticut campus reinforces this idea. Families drive past massive boulders and winding roads before arriving at camp, creating the feeling of stepping through a portal into a different world. A place where illness does not define the child, and where healing happens through joy, connection, and shared experience.
A Personal Journey That Mirrors the Mission
Hilary’s relationship with the camp began 25 years ago when she arrived as a college student and summer counselor. Selected through a competitive process, she worked in the boathouse overseeing fishing and boating activities. That role also gave her the rare opportunity to spend time with Paul Newman himself, who regularly visited camp and shared a deep love of fishing.
What started as a summer job turned into a calling. Over the years, Hilary progressed from counselor to camp director to Chief Program Officer, witnessing the organization grow from roughly 40 full-time staff to more than 120 today.
That growth, she notes, has always been guided by listening to campers and families first.
Expanding Beyond Campgrounds: Hospitals, Homes, and Families
While the residential camp experience remains central, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp now reaches far beyond its physical sites.
Today, the organization operates hospital outreach programs in more than 40 hospitals from Boston to Washington, DC. A team of full-time child life specialists brings the magic of camp directly to children receiving treatment, ensuring they do not have to wait all year for joy and connection.
The organization also created a family outreach model that recognizes an essential truth: serious illness affects entire families, not just the diagnosed child.
Programs now include:
- Family camps where parents and caregivers attend alongside their children
- Sibling-only camp sessions that give brothers and sisters space to be seen and supported
- CampOut mobile units that bring camp experiences into homes and local communities
- Parent and caregiver retreats that provide connection, respite, and shared understanding
These programs address isolation head-on. They create space where families can simply say, “You get it,” without needing to explain diagnoses or circumstances.
Measuring Impact Beyond Numbers
From a research and evaluation perspective, the organization tracks both qualitative and quantitative outcomes. One of the most powerful indicators of success is an increase in children’s ability to form friendships after attending camp.
Many campers miss school, parties, and everyday social moments due to treatment schedules. Camp becomes a place where they relearn how to connect, build confidence, and experience belonging.
But as Hilary shares, the most compelling evidence is visible. Families arrive tense and exhausted. Within hours, shoulders drop, laughter returns, and parents see their children fully alive and joyful. That transformation is the heart of the mission.
A Second Camp, Built with Care
The upcoming Maryland campus represents nearly a decade of planning, needs assessments, and careful decision-making. Children from the Mid-Atlantic region have long traveled to Connecticut to attend camp. Data showed there was a clear need for a second residential site.
Located on 180 acres in Queenstown, Maryland, the land was generously gifted by the Aspen Institute. The organization has completed renovations on six buildings and will begin programming in May, starting with family camps.
This phased approach allows the camp to serve children with higher medical needs by keeping parents and caregivers on site. Over time, the vision includes expanding into a full independent camp model similar to Connecticut.
Behind the scenes, this required hiring a medical director, nursing director, camp director, and program staff, along with scaling fundraising and operations to support long-term sustainability.
Scaling Without Losing the Mission
One of the most valuable lessons Hilary shares is about change management in mission-driven organizations.
Buildings matter. Programs matter. But people matter most.
The organization prioritized staff voices, board engagement, and family feedback throughout the expansion process. The goal was clear: grow responsibly while staying true to what Paul Newman envisioned nearly 40 years ago.
By carrying forward lessons learned in Connecticut and embedding them into Maryland from day one, the organization is ensuring that culture, safety, and community remain intact as impact grows.
Q&A From the Episode
What inspired the name “Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”?
The name comes from Paul Newman’s role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He was drawn to the sense of community, mischief, and childhood spirit represented by the Hole in the Wall Gang and used it as the foundation for a camp serving children with serious illnesses.
How did Paul Newman’s personal experiences influence the camp?
Paul Newman often spoke about the benevolence of luck in his own life and the unfairness of illness in the lives of children. Having attended camp himself as a child, he believed deeply in its power and chose to create a space where children facing medical challenges could experience joy, independence, and belonging.
How did Hilary Axtmayer first get involved with the camp?
Hilary joined the camp 25 years ago as a college student and summer counselor. A lifelong camp enthusiast with interests in public health and social work, she saw the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp as the perfect intersection of her passions.
What roles has Hilary held over the years?
Hilary started as a program counselor in the boathouse, later became camp director, and now serves as Chief Program Officer, overseeing all programs and services across the organization.
How has the organization expanded its reach beyond residential camp?
The camp now operates hospital outreach programs in over 40 hospitals, family outreach initiatives, mobile CampOut visits, sibling camps, and parent and caregiver retreats, ensuring year-round support.
Why focus so heavily on families and siblings?
Serious illness impacts entire families. Siblings often receive less attention, and parents experience isolation and burnout. These programs create space for healing, connection, and shared understanding across the whole family unit.
What impact does camp have on children’s social development?
Research shows campers experience increased confidence and improved ability to make friends. Camp helps children rebuild social skills often disrupted by long hospital stays and missed school experiences.
What led to the decision to open a second camp in Maryland?
A formal needs assessment showed a significant population of children with serious and rare illnesses in the Mid-Atlantic region who were already traveling long distances to Connecticut. A second site allows the organization to serve more families closer to home.
Why start with family camps in Maryland?
Beginning with family camps allows the organization to safely serve children with higher medical needs while establishing operations. Independent camp programming will follow in future phases.
What were the biggest challenges in expanding?
Managing rapid organizational change, securing funding, scaling staff, and maintaining culture and mission alignment were the primary challenges. Intentional planning and staff involvement were key.
How can supporters help during this expansion phase?
Supporters can donate, volunteer, and spread awareness. Volunteers and community engagement are essential to delivering programs at no cost to families.
