The Hospital Outreach Program otherwise known as The Painted Turtle Outpost takes the magic and fun of what we do at our camp-site into hospitals in Los Angeles and Northern California.
 
Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy and adventure of camp. The Painted Turtle "Outpost" program makes this possible by delivering the spirit of camp right to the children during a time when they may need it most.

The Outpost program allows The Painted Turtle to reach out to children who are hospitalized every year giving them a chance to be in an environment where they can "go to camp" and forget about their illness, at least for a little while. Since the launch of the program in September 2007 the program has served thousands of children.

The Painted Turtle is proud to partner with the Child Life departments at the following hospitals:

Miller Children's Hospital
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles County Hospital and USC Medical Center
Shriners Hospital for Children Los Angeles
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford
UCSF Children's Hospital
Children's Hospital Orange County
Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

During the in hospital camp sessions, children enter into a creative "camp" environment that is inclusive, supportive, and challenging - just like the one at The Painted Turtle's camp-site!

With the use of theatrical props and a little bit of camp magic, playrooms or similar hospital spaces are transformed to resemble the look and feel of camp. Children truly feel like they are a hundred miles away, transported to a place where their only worry is deciding which activity to try next.
“This is the most fun I have had since I’ve been in this place” – child

The Hospital Outreach Coordinator along with a team of trained volunteers who have also volunteered numerous times at the camp-site deliver this exciting and engaging program.

"At one point, as I almost tripped over an IV pole today, I was suddenly reminded that we were in a hospital. The reason I forgot all this was because of the joy, laughter and smiles on their faces." - Outpost Volunteer

We welcome any questions you may have about the Outpost program. For more information please contact Hospital Outreach Manger, Jessica Santos at (310) 451-1353 ext. 111.