About
Camp Hope is a five-day recreational and residential summer camp where campers take part in swimming, dancing, singing, arts and crafts, adaptive sports, cookouts, a magic show, and a carnival. The program also includes Games and Activities, Outdoor Carnival & Water Olympics, Music, a Talent Show, a Costume Dance Party with a DJ, Chore-Time, Cabin Inspection and Dormitory Awards, an Awards Banquet, and visits from special presenters such as a magician, juggler, musical groups, sports teams, and dance exhibitions and lessons. All activities are adapted for campers’ needs, and each year a theme is chosen for the week of camp.
• Ages: 15–18 years old
• Schedule: One-week camp that begins on Sunday evening and runs through Friday afternoon; five-day recreational and residential summer camp
Camp Hope is a five-day recreational and residential summer camp in the Chicago area for teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities, with an established age range of 15–30 and acceptance of a wide range of developmental disabilities. Camp Hope accepts around 24 campers per session each summer, for a total of more than 48 campers per year. It is one of the only residential summer camps in the United States that offers one-on-one care for each camper, with each camper paired with a specifically selected buddy who stays with the camper throughout the entire week. Camp Hope is a non-profit organization funded solely by donors and is founded on four pillars of service: Campers, Campers’ Families, Buddies, and the Community.
Camp Hope’s mission states that its first pillar is to provide a five-day recreational and residential camp experience for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities, where campers participate in typical summer activities. The second pillar is to provide a five-day respite for the families of the teens and young adults who participate as campers, with the camp described as a place where family members can be assured that their child, brother, or sister is well cared for. The third pillar is to provide a challenging and rewarding service opportunity for high school and college students who serve as buddies and group leaders and give a week of their summer in complete selfless service, with stated life lessons and perspectives gained during these five days. The fourth pillar promotes community involvement and ecumenical harmony by encouraging participation of various community groups and organizations through providing meals, sharing talents, offering services, or giving time as volunteers, with persons of all faith backgrounds encouraged to get involved.
Camp Hope reports 21 years of service. The leadership team includes Executive Director Emma Faucher; Treasurer Stephen Konsler; Secretary Claire Farrell; Brand Communications Chair Katie Farrell; Camp Committee Chairs Joseph Santello and Emma O’Connor-Brooks; Growth & Development Chairs Colleen Vedra and Andrea Perino; Outreach Chairs Paige Kohut, Claire Farrell, and Justine Santello; board members Ann Burke, Meaghan Cook, and Carrie Seyb; and Office Administrator Laura Fuhrman.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 15–18 years old
• Schedule: One-week camp that begins on Sunday evening and runs through Friday afternoon; five-day recreational and residential summer camp
Camp Hope is a five-day recreational and residential summer camp in the Chicago area for teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities, with an established age range of 15–30 and acceptance of a wide range of developmental disabilities. Camp Hope accepts around 24 campers per session each summer, for a total of more than 48 campers per year. It is one of the only residential summer camps in the United States that offers one-on-one care for each camper, with each camper paired with a specifically selected buddy who stays with the camper throughout the entire week. Camp Hope is a non-profit organization funded solely by donors and is founded on four pillars of service: Campers, Campers’ Families, Buddies, and the Community.
Camp Hope’s mission states that its first pillar is to provide a five-day recreational and residential camp experience for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities, where campers participate in typical summer activities. The second pillar is to provide a five-day respite for the families of the teens and young adults who participate as campers, with the camp described as a place where family members can be assured that their child, brother, or sister is well cared for. The third pillar is to provide a challenging and rewarding service opportunity for high school and college students who serve as buddies and group leaders and give a week of their summer in complete selfless service, with stated life lessons and perspectives gained during these five days. The fourth pillar promotes community involvement and ecumenical harmony by encouraging participation of various community groups and organizations through providing meals, sharing talents, offering services, or giving time as volunteers, with persons of all faith backgrounds encouraged to get involved.
Camp Hope reports 21 years of service. The leadership team includes Executive Director Emma Faucher; Treasurer Stephen Konsler; Secretary Claire Farrell; Brand Communications Chair Katie Farrell; Camp Committee Chairs Joseph Santello and Emma O’Connor-Brooks; Growth & Development Chairs Colleen Vedra and Andrea Perino; Outreach Chairs Paige Kohut, Claire Farrell, and Justine Santello; board members Ann Burke, Meaghan Cook, and Carrie Seyb; and Office Administrator Laura Fuhrman.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.