Camp · Specialty · Ages 7–16
Directory · United States · California · Lake Hughes
▌ Specialty · Ages 7–16

The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership

Lake Hughes, CA · ★ 4.9 (152 reviews)

The Painted Turtle offers a free, medically-supported overnight camp experience for children with serious medical conditions, including specific sessions for...

▌ Editor's read The Painted Turtle is a highly regarded nonprofit overnight camp for children with serious medical conditions, founded by Paul Newman in 1999, making it 25 years old. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) until 2025 and holds California state license #197607001. The camp explicitly states on its 'Safety & Care' page that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. Google reviews show an outstanding 4.9-star rating from over 1,000 reviews, with many parents praising the compassionate medical care and the transformative impact on their children. The camp offers various sessions tailored to specific medical conditions, including Muscular Dystrophy, and provides all services free of charge to families. Social media presence includes an active Instagram (@thepaintedturtlecamp) and Facebook (ThePaintedTurtleCamp) where they share camp activities and updates.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 200125+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
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Who thrives here Ages 7–16

The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. specialty programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
2001 (25 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 7–16
  • Address: 17000 Elizabeth Lake Road, Lake Hughes, CA 93532
  • Cost notes: All programs are FREE of charge.

1 session (1 one-week), from Jul 12 to Jul 16.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

  • Session 1 Jul 12 – 16, 2026 · 1 week

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership

What ages does The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership accept?
The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership is open to children ages 7–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership cost?
The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. All programs are FREE of charge. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
Is The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership accredited?
Yes — The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 25 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership?
The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 25 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership provide lunch?
The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare The Painted Turtle - Summer Session: Muscular Dystrophy & Leadership with other camps.