Who We Are
Since our start in 1951, Happy Hollow has welcomed more than 45,000 children to experience a camp full of opportunities for learning and adventure. Children ages 7 to 14 from the Greater Indianapolis area make friends, learn about nature and take part in supervised camp activities that help them see new possibilities for themselves.
Happy Hollow provides camping activities in a residential setting at our 850-acre Brown County camp. We place a major emphasis on serving children who are from economically disadvantaged households, have chronic asthma, or who attend outdoor educational programs at Happy Hollow through participation in field trips by schools or other organizations.
How We Serve
In addition, Happy Hollow partners with other non-profit groups to provide residential camp opportunities to children with various medical challenges. As one of the only residential camps in Indiana focusing on service to children from economically underprivileged households, the camp’s staff and directors are working diligently to help Central Indiana families meet the challenges of providing great opportunities to their children.
Happy Hollow is accredited by the American Camp Association and maintains the highest standards of quality and safety.
Our Long History and Dedicated Stakeholders
Located in Brown County, Indiana, Happy Hollow offers unique overnight camping activities focused on serving children from under-resourced communities, the foster care system, and those with special medical needs such as asthma. We also provide customized outdoor education to groups from schools and other organizations, often at reduced costs. Our strong relationships with community organizations, including Hear Indiana and Camp Kesem of Bloomington, allow us to continually expand our reach and provide meaningful camp experiences at reduced rates. We are dedicated to keeping camp accessible and inclusive by maintaining low costs, especially for the families we serve.
Our Board of Directors and staff are deeply committed to advancing racial and economic justice. Every board member contributes financially to our mission annually, reinforcing our collective dedication. Happy Hollow Children's Camp meets the stringent standards of the American Camp Association, ensuring best practices in safety, facilities, curriculum, and staff/camper ratios. These professional accreditations guide us in maintaining an inclusive environment that welcomes all.
A week at Happy Hollow is a week of community building for children from diverse backgrounds. Campers develop self-sufficiency, teamwork, and mutual support through activities like our high-ropes course, archery, canoeing and challenge course. They find a love for the outdoors without the burden of high costs. Our programs serve as tools for equity, healing, joy, social and environmental justice, youth development, social-emotional learning, and creativity.
It is through the generous support of our key stakeholders and funders that allow for the transformative experiences at Happy Hollow to shape the future success of young lives in our community and to ignite a love for the natural world for generations to come.