Camp Holiday Trails

Camp Holiday Trails creates a community that empowers children and teens with medical needs to thrive.

Camp Holiday Trails (CHT) is a year-round nonprofit camp in a natural setting at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central VA. CHT incorporated as a nonprofit in 1973 and since that time has provided over 10,000 kids with medical needs the opportunity to experience a positive camp experience. Our Campers, age 7-17, are welcomed from throughout the United States with the majority coming from the Mid-Atlantic region.

History: In the mid-1960, three successful pediatricians, Dr. Peter Houck, Dr. Elsa Paulsen and Dr. Robert Selden, all from the University of Virginia, had a vision: a camp for children with medical needs that provided exposure to the outdoor environment with the safety of round the clock medical supervision. Originally, each physician operated their own camp, and early facilities included local schools, churches and the backyard of a hospital. In 1973, with considerable community support and 75 acres of land donated by local property owner, David Goodwin, Holiday Trails, Inc. was founded. The first buildings were built by volunteer hands and by 1974 Camp Holiday Trails became one of the first camps in the region welcoming children with many diverse medical diagnoses. Camping in cabins, fishing with real worms and learning camp songs – the focus no longer on the illness, but on the child.

Summer 2020 Camper Application is NOW OPEN! Please note that we have modified our application process based upon recommendations by our new Medical and Education Director, Dr. Ina Stephens.

2019 IMPACT REPORT
Check out CHT’s 2019 Impact Report. Thank you to our donors and volunteers who make make the magic of Camp possible.

VOLUNTEERING AT CHT
Camp Holiday Trails has great opportunities for volunteers! Work with our equine partners in our Horsemanship Program, spend time with Campers as a Teen Summer Volunteer, and many more!

EVENT RENTALS
Find out how you can help the kids at Camp Holiday Trails by hosting your next event, retreat, conference or camp at our gorgeous 73 acre facility only a couple of miles from downtown Charlottesville.

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