Camp Challenge

Goals of Camp Challenge is to provide each child with: OPPORTUNITY to develop Coping Skills and Self-Confidence. Also to provide the opportunity to make friends and to interact with other children with similar illnesses and experiences. EXPERIENCE Group living in a camp environment. ADVENTURE Fun-filled experience away from home. AWARENESS & APPRECIATION for the natural world CONCERN for ecology and a desire to help preserve the earth.

Camp Challenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a life-long experience for our campers. We are ACA (American Camp Association) accredited and have a full medical staff on site for the entirety of camp - at least one doctor and four nurses 24 hours a day. Our entire staff are volunteers, full of life and energy pouring all of their talents and love into camp week.
Camp was inspired by a group of nurses, doctors, and parents desperate to give children fighting cancer a chance to experience childhood. Camp began in 1987 with the collaboration of the community, medical personnel, and particularly Katy McHugh and Phyllis Embrey, director of the Cancer Association of New Orleans. The two, along with many others, pulled together the first ever Camp Challenge.
Camp has since grown tremendously. Now hosted by our dear friends, Louisiana Lions Camp in Anacoco, La, camp is a fully handicap-accessible camp perfect for all of our campers dependent on special medical attention.
We are run by our Board. The Board of Camp Challenge has been served by many generous volunteers. Parents of Children with cancer, medical professionals, and previous campers.

Testimonials

As a former camper at a similar camp for children with illnesses, as a counselor, a staff member, a waterfront director, and now as a board member, I will always know in my heart the importance of this summer camp. It is a place where children who are dealing with cancer can create relationships with others who deal with the same challenges. These relationships are so important- as an adult i can look back and say that my summer camp friends were the only ones who could have ever understood my struggles well enough to help me through them. These friends are still some of my strongest supports. I work hard year-round to provide for this camp and this family.