Our Story
Born on a Baseball Field
HISTORY - Run Home Camps began in the childhood mind of founder Nick Miller. Looking back on this time, Nick reflects that "I've always had a heart for the underdog." With a life-long love for baseball and the camaraderie that it creates for people from all social, racial, and economic backgrounds, Nick envisioned a place where those who society left out could come and experience love and acceptance like never before.
With the support of the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) along with social service agencies, Nick’s dream became a reality. The Laurel Highlands FCA sponsored the first Run Home Camp for 19 ecstatic boys in the summer of 2013.
Since then, many children have experienced their best week of summer at RHC, and they look forward with great anticipation to the next year's camp. Early in 2020, Run Home Camps became a registered non-profit corporation with the goal of sharing the camp format with other willing groups while continuing the local Johnstown, PA camps each year. As of 2025, there are six Run Home Camps locations across North and South America.

STAFF AND CASEWORKER TESTIMONIALS
CAMPER STORIES
There are so many stories and quotes about the amazing, positive, life-changing experiences from camp.
In this section we will share a few of those.
(Names have been changed to protect the identity of the children.)
Joey had a long history of relational trauma, being abused and abandoned by his mother and then neglected by his father. The court ordered Joey to attend a few camps that summer, including RHC. Upon arrival, all he could think about was any way to be allowed to leave camp. As this was a pattern for this child, his caseworker showed up to check on him. She was amazed to see usually shy Joey on the baseball field participating with the other campers. He realized with each new activity that the staff truly cared about him and were committed to providing a positive experience unlike any he’d had before. On the last day of camp, Joey made the final catch to win the game for his team! He then asked to speak on the megaphone and took the opportunity to thank everyone at RHC for such a great week. Joey took his newfound positive attitude home with him and became an honor student over the next school year. The following summer when he returned to RHC, Joey proclaimed, "I'm back for round two!"
Clearly having a great time at camp, Tyler shouted, "This is the best week of my life!" as he ran onto the field.
John found out about Run Home Camps through a friend that was also attending camp that week. He and his dad had been living with John’s friend’s family, as they had nowhere else to go. Throughout the week, John thrived on the baseball field and was a strong leader for the other campers. When it came time for the birthday party, he was overwhelmed with gratitude. John told many different staff members “thank you” over and over until finally telling the camp director, “No one has ever done anything for my birthday before.”
A few hours into day one, Mark said, "When I grow up, I'm going to have a camp just like this for kids!"
On the final night of camp, a few boys responded this way when asked if they were ready to go home. Daniel: “No! One more week!” Jose: “Another month!” Matthew: “No, all year!”
Ryan had attended RHC twice already, and the lessons he learned there clearly sunk in. At the camp Christmas party that included dinner, a movie, and a trip to the shoe store, each boy was thrilled to pick out their very own new pair of shoes - except for Ryan. He was also excited, but to generously use his own gift to get shoes for his mom! He said humbly, “She only has one pair and I know her size. I want to get these for her for Christmas.”
After spending a night in the camp bunks, Billy says, "This is the nicest bed I've ever had!"
Despite being just nine years old, Devin thoughtfully told his coach, "I wish I was seven. Then I would get to come back five more times, but I only get to come back three more!"