Our Story

It was the personal experience of Dennis and Lois Wolff of Millville, Pennsylvania, with their son Nicholas, the youngest of their five children, that led to the concept of Camp Victory as a means of helping chronically ill and physically disabled children and their families.

Nicholas Wolff was born in 1985 with a potentially fatal liver disease. When he was 18 months old, he received a liver transplant. For the rest of his life he will require medication and specialized care. In everything he does his health must be a consideration.

Watching their son's struggle, Dennis and Lois Wolff felt deprived forever of a normal existence. As they went to various hospitals seeking the best treatment for Nicholas, the couple became aware of many other families experiencing similar turmoil. They gave considerable thought to the plight of these families and what could be done to help relieve their burden.

In 1987 Dennis and Lois Wolff established the Nicholas Wolff Foundation and formulated a proposal to develop a camp for children with chronic health problems. They donated 35 acres of their own land as a campsite. An adjoining 15 acres of their farm is accessible for hiking, hayrides, horseback riding and other outdoor activities. They chose the name Camp Victory. The title is apt. Nicholas means victory. Victory implies conquering adversity.

And adversity is what these children and their families must overcome to restore quality to their lives. At Camp Victory all children with chronic illness are on an equal footing. For one week of the year, they are part of the crowd. They learn from each other how to come to terms with their limitations. They find that they are, after all, not alone.

Camp Cranium campers find a sense of community, Summer 2023