Monkey Minute with SeriousFun Children's Network CEO John Read

Here in the jungle, we love thinking about summer camp as soon as the snow clears and spring is around the corner... but for many kids, that kind of bounce on your heels, flip through last year's camp calendar kind of anticipation is not possible without the support of SeriousFun Children's Network. 

SeriousFun Children's Network is an organization founded by actor Paul Newman in 1988, and now helps over 43,000 kids reach beyond the boundaries of serious illness to have some SeriousFun at summer camps and programs - at no cost. 

Celebs like Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts are big supporters - click here for a video featuring Julia and Bruce; click here if YOU would like to get involved too!  We aren't movie stars, but we scored an A-list interview with SeriousFun CEO John Read, below.  Tell us in the comments what you think about this organization - and let us know if YOU have questions for John about SeriousFun and what they do.

Interview with John Read, President & CEO,
SeriousFun Children’s Network

We are interested in thenotion that "Every child deserves the chance to be a kid." At a time when typical kids arefocused on getting the latest and greatest, what does SeriousFun do for itskids? Camps? 

The short answer is that the ‘latest and greatest’ forkids with serious illness can be simply to hear “Yes, you can” from a counseloror volunteer at camp rather than “No, you can’t” from a doctor or concernedparent.

Since 2010, the Yale School of Medicine has surveyed andinterviewed hundreds of SeriousFun campers and their parents. Results of thisongoing study give scientific support to what our staff around the world haveseen, heard and known for years. Our camps do more than just give kids afun-filled, memorable week. They have a profound and long-lasting impact. Bycreating a place where children with serious illnesses can connect with otherslike themselves, along with carefully trained and caring adults, SeriousFuncamps and programs enable kids to reach beyond the barriers of theirconditions. This unique experience helps build important connections that fosterresilience and support their growth in the face of challenge, restore theirhope for the future, renew their spirit of childhood, and regain their sense ofpossibility.

Click here to donate to SeriousFun.

How can kids give back toother kids through your organization (before campsbegin)?

Individuals19 years and older can apply to work or volunteer at any of our camps. We are looking for fun, energetic,creative, responsible and compassionate individuals who will be dedicated togiving our campers the best camp experience possible. For certain program areas(for example, lifeguarding, ropes course, etc.), specific skill certificationsare required. CPR and First Aid certification is strongly recommended.

Kids can also sponsor events or participate in 5ks and otherchallenge events, raising money to support our camps, each of which is anindependent not-for-profit where kids and their families participate free ofcharge.

Can you share with us how andwhy Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts got involved in the organization? Do theyvisit the camps? (So cool!)

JuliaRoberts began her involvement with one of our camps about 18 years ago as a week-longvolunteer.   Julia and PaulNewman, our founder, remained close friends over the years, and Julia hascontinued to support SeriousFun in various ways.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Holein the Wall Gang Camp, a SeriousFun member camp.

Similarly,Bruce Willis and Paul Newman were close friends, and Bruce also volunteers histime in many ways including having served on the SeriousFun board.

How/why did you personallyget involved? Any personal stories you can share about how the camps help kids?

Iworked for Outward Bound for a number of years…another child-centeredorganization. When I left a few years ago, a friend on the SeriousFun boardencouraged me to consider this position and I’m glad he did. Children withlife-threatening illnesses were about the only kids Outward Bound couldn’tserve, and the experiences are quite similar in that both organizations provideyoung people with challenging, transformative and safe experiences.

Do you have a favorite campactivity that happens at all the camps? 

Singingand dancing at and after meals is my personal favorite, and my family has adoptedthe practice (‘Dance Party” at 6:00pm) when parents, children and grandchildrengather for Thanksgiving week.

How can kids who have lifethreatening illnesses in our schools apply to the camps and how can we helpsend them off to camp if accepted?

If you know of a child or family confronted with a lifethreatening or serious illness, encourage them to contact us at info@seriousfunnetwork.orgto learn more about the application process for attending a SeriousFun camp.

What is your favorite food atcamp?

S’mores are everyone’s favorite food; just not mine. Theytaste great but I end up ‘wearing’ them. I like the Newman’s Own pizza that youcan find at all of our camps.