Camp Boggy Creek Marks 30 Years of Helping Children With Serious Illnesses Be Kids

VoLo Foundation team witnesses firsthand how medical care, accessibility, family support and joy come together at the Central Florida camp

EUSTIS, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Camp Boggy Creek marks its 30th birthday, the Central Florida camp continues to give children with serious illnesses and their families something difficult to find elsewhere: a place where they can step away from their medical challenges and simply be kids.

Its mission is simple: to provide a free, life-changing camp where safety, respect, love and joy come together to enrich the physical and behavioral health of children and their families.

"Every child deserves a place where their illness isn't the whole story. That's what Camp Boggy Creek offers, and it's why VoLo Foundation is proud to stand behind it," says Thais Lopez Vogel, cofounder and trustee of VoLo Foundation.

A supporter of the camp's mission, VoLo Foundation recently spent a full day at Camp Boggy Creek to experience firsthand the programs and environment that have served more than 95,000 children and family members since opening in 1996.

Built at a cost of $23 million, Camp Boggy Creek was co-founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Today, the 232-acre campus includes 45 buildings, including 16 camper cabins, a medical center, dining hall, swim center, stable and nature barn, sports and recreation center, arts and crafts center and a theater.

Camp Boggy Creek is the only fully medically supervised camp in Florida and serves children across 15 illness groups. It operates year-round, with weekly summer sessions for children and family retreats in the spring and fall. All programs are provided at no cost to approved families.

A place for children and families to connect

What makes the camp different is the medical care integrated throughout the experience. Specialized doctors and nurses provide care during illness-specific sessions, while accessible facilities allow children with significant physical disabilities to participate fully.

During the VoLo team's visit, children living with diabetes connected over their continuous glucose monitors and decorated patches for the devices. For children who may rarely meet someone living with the same condition, those simple interactions can create lasting friendships.

The experience also provides respite for parents and siblings. Family retreats bring together families who understand the challenges of living with serious illness, creating a support network that can extend beyond the camp.

"I think it heals families," said Shannon Maganiezin, external relations director for VoLo Foundation.

One story shared during the visit particularly illustrated the camp's impact. A medically fragile boy who uses a wheelchair needed one-on-one assistance, so a volunteer took on that responsibility for the week.

"When the boy was brought into the pool using a specialized wheelchair, his toes touched the bottom. He communicated that he felt as though he was walking for the first time," said Maganiezin. "Hearing that story made me realize how life-changing these experiences can be."

A dream that continues

Camp Boggy Creek was inspired by Jennifer Masi, a South Florida teenager battling cancer who experienced the freedom of camp during a 10-day stay at Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut.

Jennifer returned home believing Florida needed a similar place for children with serious illnesses. Her parents, Nick and Wendy Masi, joined Newman, Schwarzkopf and other supporters to make her dream a reality.

Thirty years later, that mission continues with the help of more than 1,800 volunteers each year, giving children opportunities for friendship, independence, creativity and connection with nature, while giving families a place to find respite, community and joy.

Press contact:

Carlos Roa, Senior Press and PR Relations – VoLo Foundation

+1 (786) 277 7566 – [email protected]

SOURCE VoLo Foundation