Camp Victory a Haven For Personal Victories
Photo provided by Camp Victory
From PPL Electric Utilities
On a remote property in a small northeastern Pennsylvania community, some big things are happening for thousands of kids, thanks in part to the PPL Foundation.
It’s a place for young people to experience a wide range of personal victories. The aptly named Camp Victory in Greenwood Township, near Bloomsburg in Columbia County, has hosted nearly 30,000 overnight campers since it opened in 1994. The camp hosts children with any type of health problem or physical or mental disability.
It’s one of many organizations that benefit from the $2 million donated annually to nonprofit groups by the PPL Foundation to improve education, develop future workers and revitalize communities.
Lois and Dennis Wolff — inspired by their son, who was born with a life-threatening liver disease — created the camp and the Nicholas Wolff Foundation in 1986. The Wolffs donated 35 acres of farmland for Camp Victory, which was created as a “special camp for special kids.”
Since then, children from across Pennsylvania, the United States and even the world, have spent weekends and weeks at the camp to meet other children and take part in activities ranging from swimming and fishing and archery to wall climbing, zip lining and arts and crafts.
“It’s very rewarding and wonderful to see the kids come here and get to do all of the wonderful things that they do here,” said Jamie Huntley, the group’s executive director. “They also get to be with other children with whom they develop life-long relationships.”
Since opening, the camp property has expanded to 130 acres and hosts about 1,600 children, ages seven to 17, annually.
Tracie Witter, our regional affairs director in the area, said PPL is proud to be associated with an organization that has touched so many young lives and helped forge relationships among young people.
“Camp Victory has helped so many families and given so many kids an opportunity to have a special time away from home with others who face similar challenges,” Witter said. “Our area is fortunate to have a camp like this that gives these young campers a chance to be independent. It truly is a great program.”
To learn more about Camp Victory, visit its website.
Note: Camp Victory will host a Chamber Business After Hours on Wednesday, Oct. 24.