Josef Newgarden is energetic by nature, so imagine how much fun he had when given the opportunity to be a big kid and play with children at a SeriousFun Children’s Network camp in Ashford, Connecticut.
The Team Penske driver and his girlfriend, Ashley Welch, recently visited the very first camp, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, created in 1988 by actor/philanthropist/racer Paul Newman, as part of Newgarden’s new role as ambassador for the official charitable partner of the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Newman’s goal for creating these camps was for children to escape their illnesses and, as he would say, “raise a little hell.” And Newgarden, 27 and one of the series’ fan favorites, knows just how to do that.
“I enjoy being a kid myself,” said Newgarden, the reigning series champion. “I relished the opportunity to go hang out with kids at camp. Ashley and I got to go up there and see the operation, really the start of Paul’s (Newman) vision for getting kids to camp, kids and family members who deserve a great place to go to make memories and impact their lives.
“It was special. It was very fun. The camp itself was incredible, the way they’ve structured it, the people they have working there, the passion and drive the people have to dedicate themselves to the camp and provide a great atmosphere for the kids. And the place is immaculate. The place is unbelievable. It was like real-life Disney World. You go to Disney World and there’s all this magic that’s created. This was like that, but real. It’s true magic they have there.”
The series announced SeriousFun Children’s Network as its official charitable partner in May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. SeriousFun Children’s Network has 30 camps and programs worldwide that are offered free of charge to kids and families. Clea Newman, SeriousFun Ambassador, has taken up her late father’s mission of helping children not be defined by their illnesses.
“The camp is an opportunity for these kids to just be kids,” Newgarden said. “Paul Newman believed he was a very lucky person who got all the opportunities in life, and he wanted to see that for all the kids in the world that didn’t have that.
“I don’t think any of the kids knew who I was, which was fine. I didn’t even get to that. I was just there being a kid with them. I was there to have a good time with them. We’d sing, we’d dance, we ate food and we’d play. It was all about building relationships and having fun.”
As an ambassador for the partnership, Newgarden encourages people to learn more about SeriousFun Children’s Network and talks about the importance of being a positive influence in these young children’s lives. As an up-and-coming racer from Hendersonville, Tennessee, Newgarden was aware of Paul Newman’s philanthropic endeavors long before the formal partnership was established.
Even before Clea Newman came to IMS in May to announce the new partnership with INDYCAR, Newgarden and the SeriousFun team had discussed the importance of the cause and how he could help raise awareness and support.
“They build these relationships that help kids build confidence and even imagine what they want to do in life, figure out what’s important to them, and they grow at camp,” Newgarden said. “You build all these foundational pieces, friendship, self-esteem, independence, resilience, that help you go through life, not just at camp but helping you, encouraging you 10 to 15 years down the road. It’s about seeing what’s possible and having a good time.”
Newgarden smiled as he gushed about the dedication from camp staff, volunteers and doctors. And he chuckled when asked about joining the sing-alongs.
“Yes, I sang,” he said. “It was ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from ‘The Lion King.’ I’m a terrible singer, but I did it at camp.”
To learn more about the camps or to make a charitable donation, visit SeriousFunNetwork.org/indygiving or text KIDS to 900900.