Our Impact
Victory Junction’s core programming is available to children ages six to 16. Our campers have come from all 50 states and around the world. The Victory Junction experience is a welcome break for children who spend a lot of their time receiving medical treatments or attending countless hospital visits. Since opening our gates in 2004, we have provided more than 100,000 experiences to campers and their families through summer camp, family weekends, partner programs, equine therapy, and our pediatric patient outreach program at hospitals, clinics, and Ronald McDonald Houses.
Who We Serve
Victory Junction’s team of medical professionals oversee the care of children with hundreds of specific diagnoses. For typical summer programming, kids with similar diagnoses attend the same sessions. This intentional scheduling makes it easier for campers relate to peers dealing with similar conditions, and it helps our medical team manage their care efficiently. Medical professionals are also on staff for family weekends and day programs, so that everyone can enjoy Camp in a medically-safe environment.
Some Medical Conditions Served:
Bleeding Disorders
Burn Survivors
Cancer
Cerebral Palsy
Craniofacial Anomalies
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Genetic Disorders
Heart Disease
Immunologic Disorders
Kidney Disease
Lung Disease
Neurological Disorders
Rheumatologic Disorders
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin Disease
Spina Bifida
Physical Disabilities
The Benefits of Camp
Creating permanent, measurable, life-changing impact is precisely our goal at Victory Junction. Children and adolescents living with serious medical conditions (our campers) experience challenges related to illness and treatment that can lead to serious stress and psychosocial difficulties. When kids come to Victory Junction, they laugh, make friends, and have lots of fun, but the benefits of their experience extend well beyond great memories of a week at camp.
Real Results
Yale Child Study Center Impact Report
SeriousFun Children’s Network collaborated with the Yale Child Study Center on a multiyear research project to study long-term impacts of the residential camp experience on children who attend. Results from both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 surveys revealed that after attending a SeriousFun camp, parents and caregivers reported changes in a number of positive attributes in their children, including confidence, independence, self-esteem, and increased interest in social activities. In the 2014-2015 survey of campers and their families, parents reported additional positive impacts of camp experiences on their children, including:
Increased interest in social activities (66%)
Increased confidence levels (79%)
Increased self-esteem (77%)
Increased sense of belonging (64%)
► Read the Report
American Institutes of Research Lasting Impacts Study
In 2021 SeriousFun Children’s Network partnered with the American Institutes of Research to conduct a first-of-its-kind study. Alumni campers from SeriousFun camps all over the world, including campers from Victory Junction, participated in the study. More than 80% of total alumni reported that their SeriousFun camp experiences played a major role in their development of lasting outcomes, which they used in their everyday adolescent and adult lives including:
Willingness to try new things (90%)
Appreciation of diversity (88%)
Self-identity (86%)
Empathy and compassion (86%)
Self-confidence (85%)
Perseverance (84%)
Friendship skills (82%)
► Read the Report
Media Inquiries
Michael Cottingham, Chief Marketing Officer
mcottingham@victoryjunction.org | 336.495.2070