About Camp Discovery
AAD Camp Discovery
For one week out of the year, kids with chronic skin conditions from across the United States and around the world will come to Camp Discovery to experience an adventure filled with fun, friendship, and personal growth. Everyone, regardless of their skin condition, can experience activities such as fishing, swimming, archery, horseback riding, nature trails, and just plain fun!
About Camp Discovery
Camp Discovery was founded in 1993 and offers a summer camp experience like no other. For one week out of the year, kids with chronic skin conditions from across the United States and around the world will come to Camp Discovery to experience an adventure filled with fun, friendship, and personal growth. Everyone, regardless of their skin condition, can experience activities such as fishing, swimming, archery, horseback riding, nature trails, and just plain fun!
There is no fee for camp. All costs, including transportation, are provided by the American Academy of Dermatology through generous donations from its members, other organizations, and individuals. The American Academy of Dermatology is proud to offer this experience to about 300 children each year.
Camp Discovery locations & sessions
AAD partners with host camp locations across the United States. Currently, Camp Discovery is offered in five states: California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Sessions are held in July and August.
Each camp offers activities that take advantage of the area’s natural surroundings and the camps’ facilities.
2024 Camp sessions
While we encourage campers to submit their camper referral form by the May 17, 2024 deadline, applications will continue to be considered as long as camps have available space.
2024 Camp Discovery dates
Crosslake, Minnesota: July 1-6 (ages 13-16)
Crosslake, Minnesota: July 8-13 (ages 8-13)
Mt. Washington, Massachusetts: July 28-August 2 (ages 8-16)
Burton, Texas: August 4-9 (ages 8-16)
Millville, Pennsylvania: August 10-16 (ages 8-16)
Learn more about our partner camp locations
Campers and families can select their preferred camp location and session on their referral form.
Burton, Texas
Our location in Burton, Texas is located between Houston and Austin in the rolling hills of Washington County. The 206-acre campsite, known as Camp For All, was once part of a working ranch and features more than 100,000 square feet of facilities, two lakes, nature trails, wooded areas, and cleared areas for activities such as horseback riding, field sports, and a ropes course.
For more information about the Burton, Texas location, please visit www.campforall.org.
Crosslake, Minnesota
Our location in Crosslake, Minnesota is nestled on a 30-acre peninsula of beautiful, wooded land surrounded by lake shore. The campsite, known as Camp Knutson, features a beach, a popular spot with campers who enjoy swimming, boating, and other safe water activities.
For more information about the Crosslake, Minnesota location, please visit www.campknutson.org.
Millville, Pennsylvania
Camp Victory is located in Millville, Pennsylvania on 130 scenic acres, which features 12 sleeping cabins with restrooms, a large and small dining hall, a pool, spacious bathhouse, a challenge course featuring a zipline, climbing wall and low ropes area, fishing and paddleboat pond, primitive camping area for tents, many pavilion areas, a bike program, archery, nature center, an outdoor amphitheater, treehouse, and a fully equipped med shed to handle all medical cares.
For more information about the Millville, Pennsylvania location, please visit www.campvictory.org.
Mt. Washington, Massachusetts
Located less than 30 minutes from Great Barrington, Massachusetts and about 2.5 hours from both Boston and New York City, Camp Hi-Rock is nestled in 1,000 acres of the Berkshire Mountains, surrounded by conservation land and centered around a beautiful private lake.
For more information about Camp Hi-Rock, please visit camphirock.org.
Mountain Center, California
Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times campsite is a few miles from the scenic town of Idyllwild.
Our facilities, Apple Canyon Center, are designed specifically for our campers; enabling guests to enjoy the magic and beauty of a wondrous wooded hideaway while being only minutes away from comprehensive medical facilities and services. Surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land, the campsite provides majestic mountain views, open meadows, and stately 100-year old pine trees. Campers will enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and all the fun and games that overnight camp provides.
Travel assistance
The AAD can provide assistance for all travel expenses for getting to and from camp. This includes camper airfare, transportation to and from the airport, and expenses for those who drive. We do not want a financial burden to prevent a camper from attending.
Contact information for travel assistance will be included in your camper’s acceptance email.
Apply to Camp
Attendance at Camp Discovery requires a dermatologist referral. Share the referral form with your dermatologist, who will submit it to the AAD.
Download Referral Form