what we do

We provide an opportunity for pediatric oncology patients at Children's Medical Center of Dallas to forget cancer in a week of silly songs, campouts, fishing, challenges, horseback riding, crazy counselors, and fellow campers who often become lifetime friends.

All donations go directly to camp. There are no paid positions either on the Board of Directors or at Camp Esperanza itself. Your dollars make a difference in the lives of kids with cancer, and their families.

what is our history

In 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bridewell approached Children's Medical Center of Dallas with the idea of establishing a fund to provide a summer camping experience for children being treated for cancer. Mr. Bridewell, himself a cancer patient, laid the groundwork for the establishment of an endowment to fund the camp. In May of 1982, Mr Bridewell died, and the endowment was formed. Memorials were given in his honor to further ensure the camp's beginning. The Bridewell Foundation was established, with the first campers participating in Camp Esperanza in 1983.

The first Camp Esperanza began in 1983 when the organization rented facilities at Camp Sweeney in Gainesville, Texas. The first camp had 68 campers and 35 staff members. In 1991, Camp Esperanza began renting a new campsite at Camp John Marc in Meridian, Texas. Today, we have 140 campers and over 70 volunteers and staff.

what is the bridewell foundation

The Bridewell Foundation is an organization whose sole purpose is to raise money to fund Camp Esperanza, which is free of charge to all campers. The cost of providing a one week camping experience for each camper is $500.00; therefore, the Foundation must raise $70,000.00 to fund and operate camp each year. The Foundation is a tax-exempt Section 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization.