Founded 1983 Focus Cancer | Founder Vera Entwistle Origins Sydney, Australia | |
Area served Australia, New Zealand, UK, United States | ||
History
The first Camp Quality was established by Vera Entwistle in 1983 in Sydney, Australia. Entwistle aimed to provide children living with cancer and their families with a support network. She chose the name for the organisation after a paediatric oncologist told her "No one can do anything about the quantity of life, but we all can do something about the quality." The first camp was held in Vision Valley, NSW and was attended by 38 children and supported by 38 volunteers.
Entwistle later introduced Camp Quality to several countries, including her home country, the United States. The first USA camp was held the summer of 1986 in Stewartsville, Missouri with 43 campers. Today, Camp Quality USA hosts 15 summer camp programs in 12 states.
In 1988 Camp Quality recognised that the effects of childhood cancer were widespread and implemented an education program to support the wider community. The Camp Quality Puppets were introduced as a free educational program aimed at primary school children. The benefits to the community were instantly felt and in 1989 McDonald’s sponsored the program. The McDonald’s Camp Quality Puppets have now been running for 19 years and reach almost 250,000 primary school children each year.
In 2001 Camp Quality went through a re-branding process.
Today Camp Quality supports over 5,000 families each year and has 13 offices, which cover every state and territory in Australia.
Australia
Camp Quality runs education, hospital, family assistance and recreation programs for children and their families living with cancer.
New Zealand
Each year they run week long residential programmes in five locations throughout New Zealand, including Auckland/Northland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Wellington/Central Districts, Christchurch & South (from Stewart Island north to the Rakaia River).
USA
Camp Quality USA, Inc. is a nonprofit organisation that serves pediatric cancer patients and their families by providing year-round programs, experiences and companionship at no cost.
There are presently 15 U.S. Camp Quality summer camp sessions established in 12 states. More than 900 children participate in the summer camps annually and more participate in Camp Quality activities throughout the year.