Victory Junction Gang Camp

Winston Cup racing consists of a lot of people who really care about others that have not been blessed with the good fortune that they tend to enjoy. There are numerous charity organizations that are associated with the Cup Series. Of those, the charity organizations that are associated with the Petty family really stand out.

At the top of my list, is The Victory Junction Gang Camp. This camp is a recent addition to Paul Newman’s “Hole in the Wall Gang Camps,” a charity organization which has camping facilities for chronically ill children in Connecticut, New York, Florida, California, France, and Ireland.

Kyle and Patti Petty visited the Boggy Creek Gang Camp in Florida in 1998 while on one of their charity motorcycle rides. They were so impressed with the setting, that they decided that they would like to build one in North Carolina. While they were working toward their goal of securing property for the camp, their 19 year old son Adam was killed on May 12, 2000, in a racing accident during a Busch Series practice period at New Hampshire International Speedway.

While beginning to heal from their devastating loss, Kyle and Patti revived their dream of building the camp. In Adam’s honor, Richard and Lynda Petty donated the necessary acreage to begin the camp near their home in Randleman, North Carolina. The dream was becoming a reality. The 62 acre campsite is located approximately 15 minutes outside of Greensboro, NC, among the foothills of the Piedmont Mts. The property consists of rolling terrain surrounded by hardwood forests, abundant with creeks and streams, and a six acre lake.

The envisioned camp will consist of at least 40 buildings which will require capital funds through donations to make their construction a reality. The general scheme or motif for the building and landscape design will be centered on NASCAR stock car racing. The design of the ice cream and snack shacks resemble a race garage setting. The camp’s entrance will be designed to be similar to a winners circle, and the camper’s cabins will be adorned with racecar numbers and flags, with a racecar sitting in front of each structure.

The proposed summer camping program is slated to consist of eight, week long sessions, consisting of 125 campers for each session ranging from seven to fifteen years of age. The spring and fall months will offer family weekend retreats. These sessions will be held at no charge for the children or their families. The camp’s goal is to accommodate young people with life threatening illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, spina bifida, and sickle cell anemia, just to name a few. A fully equipped medical center will be available on site 24 hours a day. Fully staffed emergency and general medical service will be available for everything from a minor cut to the administration of Chemotherapy. Although the medical presence at the camp is planned to be kept in the background, it is paramount in providing self assurance to campers and their families.

In the brochure that I received from the camp, one sentence really reached out and impressed me, “We’re in the business of creating happy memories.” The brochure goes on to state, “A child’s mind can soak up events and impressions faster than a pit crew can change tires! But sadly, a child suffering from illness typically has fewer chances to experience the wonders of everyday life, let alone go to a summer camp. The Victory Junction Gang Camp is all about providing that experience, fueling chronically ill children with memories that can sustain and inspire. Camp is all about kicking back and just being yourself. It’s not a place for pity; it’s a place where being “different” is the norm. It’s a place where kids connect with other kids who have illnesses. It gives them a place to experience the full range of fun and pleasure that “healthy” kids might experience at summer camp. Victory Junction offers incredible programming, spirited counselors, and magical facilities that create experiences of a lifetime.”

The Victory Junction Gang Camp is a U. S. 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization. Donors may direct their contributions to a specific use, or to the general capital fund. The organization is geared toward working with donors to find the best fit between their needs and the needs of the camp. For more information about the camp, or ways to make donations, please contact:

The Victory Junction Gang Camp
311 Branson Mill Road
Randleman, North Carolina 27317

(336) 498-9055
Fax (336) 498-1460

Victory Junction Gang Camp Email Address