The Painted Turtle serves children from California and elsewhere with asthma, arthritis, Crohn’s and colitis, diabetes, hemophilia, kidney disease and transplant, liver transplant, muscular dystrophy, primary immunodeficiency diseases, skeletal dysplasias and spina bifida. Our goal is to provide an exhilarating, challenging, and nurturing camp experience through which children gain a greater sense of independence, self-esteem, and self-reliance. The Painted Turtle aspires to maximize the beneficial therapeutic impact of camp with a state-of-the-art facility and an innovative camp program which integrates peer support and outdoor adventure with high quality medical care, supervision, and education.

While constant awareness is given to the medical needs of our campers, The Painted Turtle has intentionally set out to remove any hint of a medical presence. When campers visit the medical clinic at camp, THE WELL SHELL, they will find colorful walls, windows overlooking the sparkling lake, and a giant domed turtle shell ceiling overhead. In this state-of-the-art facility, The Painted Turtle’s full-time MEDICAL STAFF is joined each session by volunteer medical professionals who generously commit their time and talents to help care for these special kids around the clock.