The first Camp Quality was established by Vera Entwistle in 1983 in Sydney, Australia. The first year was extremely difficult. Promised corporate funding was suddenly cancelled even though 20 children were already signed up for camp. The Saints Church, Rotary, Lions, Apex and many others heard of the plight and pulled together to provide funding.

Yet many people felt the camp would never by a reality. "Parents of such sick children will never entrust them to you." "You will never find volunteers who will work one-on-one with a child with cancer." "You will never find doctors and nurses willing to give their time free of charge."

In spite of the hurdles, that first camp was a success. The week ended $389 in the red, but that was just another challenge!

The love and caring of that first camp has now spread to 57 camps in 19 countries. The Camp Quality USA branch has 15 camps in 10 states. Camp Quality came to Illinois in 1995.