Double H Ranch

About Us

The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families living with chronic and serious illnesses. Our purpose is to enrich their lives and provide camp experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. All programs are FREE of charge and capture the magic of the Adirondacks!

Our Founders & History

The Double H Ranch is a demonstration of the commitment and generosity of philanthropist Charles R. Wood and actor Paul Newman. Since the Double H officially opened its doors on July 4, 1993, it has served over 80,000 children dealing with life-threatening illnesses from around the world. It was the second “Hole in the Wall Camp” in what has become a worldwide network of not-for-profit recreational and therapeutic experiences for children with serious illness, called the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Serious Fun for Seriously Ill Children & Their Families

Many children are precluded from attending camp programs due to the seriousness of their illness. Double H Ranch is able to provide a safe experience for each child because of our talented Medical Team made up of doctors and nurses, an equipped onsite medical facility, a close relationship with Albany Medical Center, and dedicated staff and volunteers.

Double H Ranch Mission Statement

Year-Round Camp Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses

The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. All programs are FREE of charge and capture the magic of the Adirondacks. Double H Ranch is currently providing specialized programs and medical services for over 2,100 children and family members through our year-round programs.

Summer Camp

From June through August, hundreds of kids living with serious illnesses will have the chance to experience summer camp in a unique way – purposefully designed, fully adapted, and medically safe. Summer camp is flying down a zipline, hitting a bullseye, or performing on stage for a talent show. For more than thirty years, Double H Ranch has been all these things and more. Our team of trained staff and licensed medical professionals create a safe environment where each camper’s differences are celebrated, and their unique needs are met.

Spring & Fall Weekends

Each Spring and Fall, Double H Ranch invites medically qualifying campers, their families, and local community groups to enjoy camp during a variety of weekend programs. Spring and Fall Weekends are an opportunity for families to have fun, meet new friends, and find support together. All housing and meals are provided during programs.

Adaptive Winter Sports Program

Double H’s Adaptive Winter Sports Program, established in 1998, offers children ages 6-16 dealing with chronic and serious illnesses the opportunity to participate in alpine skiing and snowboarding in the beautiful Adirondacks. Activities include 1:1 lessons in alpine skiing and snowboarding with trained adaptive instructors and National Ski Patrol. Lessons run every weekend from January through March on our very own ski hill and all necessary equipment is provided. The magic of the program is made possible through the dedication of over 200 volunteer instructors, National Ski Patrollers, equipment technicians, and more.

Our winter program is aimed at not only teaching children a life-long skill, but also to provide an experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family. In addition to day programming, we host Family Sleepover Weekends, allowing the entire family to experience the great outdoors, together.

Outreach Program

The goal of Double H Ranch’s Outreach Program is to provide children and families living with serious illnesses opportunities for connection, support, and fun by bringing the magic of camp into the community. The program aims to meet participants wherever they are. Outreach hospital visits and community events are designed to give children the power of choice in activities, provide respite for caregivers and family members, and create moments that build relationships and foster belonging.

Hospital & Health Partners

The Double H Outreach Program is proud to currently serve hospitals and health partners in New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. In our hope to expand access to camp, we are continually looking to add partners across New England.

• Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center (Albany, NY)
• Brookdale Children’s Hospital (Brooklyn, NY)
• Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (Lebanon, NH)
• Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (Bronx, NY)
• Golisano Children’s Hospital (Rochester, NY)
• Newark Beth Israel Children’s Hospital (Newark, NJ)
• Pathways Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Schenectady, NY)
• St. Joseph’s Hospital (Paterson, NJ)
• Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital (Syracuse, NY)

The Outreach Program collaborates with hospital staff to provide an array of activities that reflect traditional camp, like slime science experiments, friendship bracelet and craft making, lasso lessons, or cheers and games. In playroom visits, children can socialize with peers  and Double H staff and volunteers. For bedside visits, we bring the fun directly to their rooms. Outreach programming allows children to take the lead by using the “challenge by choice” approach — this simple phrase grants everyone control of their own experience by letting them choose how and when they feel comfortable to participate.