Camp Discovery: A Place of Acceptance and Self-Realization
What Is Camp Discovery?
Camp Discovery is a week-long summer camp sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) that provides children with chronic skin conditions a chance to experience the joys of camp in a safe, accepting environment. Staffed entirely by volunteer physicians, nurses, and counselors, Camp Discovery gives children the freedom to build friendships, enjoy outdoor activities, and most importantly, feel comfortable in their own skin.
Since its founding in 1993 by Dr. Mark Dahl and his wife Arlene, the camp has grown from a single site in Minnesota to more than five locations across the U.S., offering free transportation, lodging, and care to all campers. The mission has remained the same: to create a space where kids with skin conditions can feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
My Experience at Camp Victory
In the summer of 2019, I had the privilege of serving as a counselor at Camp Victory, one of Camp Discovery’s locations. I was participating in a post-baccalaureate premedical fellowship in dermatology when my attending dermatologist encouraged me to apply. Having already worked closely with pediatric dermatology patients, I was eager to extend that experience into a camp setting.
At Harrisburg Airport, I was welcomed by fellow volunteers holding a bright green “Welcome to Camp Discovery” sign. Soon, I met Olivia*, a first-time camper from Canada, who nervously waited beside her older sister, a veteran of the program. Her initial anxiety gave way to excitement as the atmosphere of warmth and inclusion took hold.
Camp Victory, nestled in the hills of Millville, Pennsylvania, was founded by Lois and Dennis Wolff after their son’s liver transplant. With the help of the Lions Club International Foundation, their donation of farmland became a 125-acre haven for children facing chronic medical challenges. Since 1994, Camp Discovery has used the site to host children with dermatologic conditions, continuing the Wolffs’ mission to create a place of joy and healing.
Driven by Volunteers, Designed for Empowerment
Camp Discovery operates entirely through the dedication of volunteers, including dermatologists, residents, medical students, and community members. Medical staff ensure that campers adhere to their treatment regimens while enjoying a full range of activities, from swimming and hiking to crafts and rock climbing. Their presence allows campers with significant medical needs, such as epidermolysis bullosa, to participate fully without fear or discomfort.
Counselors play an equally vital role. Many are former campers themselves, like Alex*, who returned as a counselor after years of feeling alienated due to alopecia. “I have never felt more accepted than I did at camp,” she shared, “and that’s why I want to help others feel the same.”
A Day in the Life
Mornings began with breakfast and flag-raising, where campers and staff gathered to share announcements and affirmations. Daily rotations included archery, zip-lining, creative arts, and outdoor games. Skits and trivia punctuated meals, and evenings featured s’mores, talent shows, or stargazing.
Each moment, structured or spontaneous, was filled with joy. Campers who were once shy and withdrawn found their voices. One camper, Ben*, had never gone swimming back home due to self-consciousness from psoriasis. After an afternoon at the pool with friends, he told me he might give it another try back home. That moment captured the spirit of Camp Discovery — helping kids rediscover the parts of themselves they had hidden away.
An Impact Beyond the Campers
Camp Discovery transforms not just the campers, but the volunteers as well. Dr. Andrea Zaenglein, program director at Penn State and the camp’s medical director, has attended for 21 consecutive years. “It has been an incredible, life-altering experience,” she said. “You cannot get this kind of education in a clinic setting. Camp has made me a more compassionate pediatric dermatologist.”
Being immersed in the daily routines of children with complex treatment regimens gives medical providers a deeper appreciation for their patients’ resilience. At camp, physicians witness firsthand the physical and emotional burden of skin disease, gaining empathy and insight that clinic visits alone can’t provide.
Dr. Karen Wiss, who founded the Camp Discovery site in Connecticut, also studied the impact of the camp on physician burnout. She found that the joy and meaning derived from volunteering rekindled a sense of purpose and reduced emotional exhaustion among dermatologists.
Camp Through COVID
In 2020 and 2021, Camp Discovery pivoted to virtual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the distance, the AAD maintained its commitment to connection and community.
Join the Journey
Camp Discovery continues to grow thanks to the generous support of donors and the unwavering commitment of volunteers. There is no cost to campers — only the requirement of a referral from a dermatologist.
If you are interested in supporting this extraordinary program as a volunteer or donor, visit the AAD’s website to learn more: Camp Discovery – AAD
* All names have been changed for confidentiality
