The Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle Lake Hughes, 17000 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Lake Hughes, CA 93532
About
The Painted Turtle offers horseback rides, campfires, art, swimming, athletics, canoeing, stargazing, acting on stage, and adventuring, where children also sing, dance, paint, and play. During these activities, children become artists, swimmers, athletes, canoe paddlers, stargazers, actors on stage, and adventurers. The Painted Turtle is a year-round medical specialty camp for children who have serious medical conditions.
• Ages: 7–16 years old
• Schedule: Week-long sessions
• Price: Camp is 100% Free Always $0. All campers and families attend completely free of charge. All campers and their families attend free of charge.
The mission of The Painted Turtle is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, while supporting children’s medical needs, inspiring them to reach beyond their illnesses, and providing care, education, and respite for their families. The Painted Turtle offers condition-specific, week-long summer sessions and fall and spring family weekends, and campers live in cabins alongside other kids coping with similar medical conditions. The camp has on-site medical staff, and children have the opportunity to learn new strategies of medical self-care, increase their confidence, and build supportive friendships with peers who have the same medical conditions. The Painted Turtle is a SeriousFun Camp, founded by Paul Newman.
The Painted Turtle began as a dream in 1999 and has served tens of thousands of children and families since opening in 2004. The Painted Turtle is accredited or recognized by the American Camp Association, Charity Navigator, and Candid/GuideStar with Platinum Transparency. One camper described The Painted Turtle as “The place I gained the freedom to be me.” The leadership team includes April Tani, MA, CCLS, Executive Director; Allen McBroom, Chief Operating Officer; Michelle Melendez, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, CNS, Health Center Director; and Sharon Munz, Director of Strategy.
Last updated March 10, 2026.
• Ages: 7–16 years old
• Schedule: Week-long sessions
• Price: Camp is 100% Free Always $0. All campers and families attend completely free of charge. All campers and their families attend free of charge.
The mission of The Painted Turtle is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, while supporting children’s medical needs, inspiring them to reach beyond their illnesses, and providing care, education, and respite for their families. The Painted Turtle offers condition-specific, week-long summer sessions and fall and spring family weekends, and campers live in cabins alongside other kids coping with similar medical conditions. The camp has on-site medical staff, and children have the opportunity to learn new strategies of medical self-care, increase their confidence, and build supportive friendships with peers who have the same medical conditions. The Painted Turtle is a SeriousFun Camp, founded by Paul Newman.
The Painted Turtle began as a dream in 1999 and has served tens of thousands of children and families since opening in 2004. The Painted Turtle is accredited or recognized by the American Camp Association, Charity Navigator, and Candid/GuideStar with Platinum Transparency. One camper described The Painted Turtle as “The place I gained the freedom to be me.” The leadership team includes April Tani, MA, CCLS, Executive Director; Allen McBroom, Chief Operating Officer; Michelle Melendez, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, CNS, Health Center Director; and Sharon Munz, Director of Strategy.
Last updated March 10, 2026.
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