The Camp Taylor Story
In 1993, Kimberlie and Michael Gamino welcomed their second son, Taylor. Within hours of his birth, physicians discovered he had been born with half a heart, a complex condition known as Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome with an intact ventricular septum. Facing an uncertain prognosis, the Gaminos committed themselves to giving Taylor every joyful, formative part of childhood they could, even as he endured four open-heart surgeries and a stroke. Their family spent months at a time living in the hospital, navigating long recoveries and the relentless emotional weight that comes with fighting for a child’s life.
As Taylor grew, the medical hurdles were only part of the story. By age eight, it became clear he could not keep pace with friends in sports and high-energy activities due to fatigue and the risk of injury. At school, he felt singled out and defined by his diagnosis, leaving him sometimes feeling isolated. While Taylor continued to progress medically, his parents recognized a more invisible need: a safe place where he could belong, be understood, and build confidence alongside peers living with similar realities. When they searched for such a program in Northern and Central California where he could meet other children with heart disease and found none, they created it. In 2002, the Gaminos founded Camp Taylor to ensure heart kids and their families would never have to face this journey alone.
That was more than two decades ago, and the Gamino family remains just as committed today. Over the past 24 years, they have helped thousands of families, worked tirelessly alongside thousands of volunteers, and welcomed children from across the United States and beyond, including Australia and Mexico, through the safe haven of Camp Taylor’s gates.
When finding rental camp facilities that met the medical needs of heart kids proved cumbersome, including safe altitude considerations and proximity to emergency care, the Gaminos did not quit. They secured land and built one of the first camp facilities dedicated specifically to children and families affected by heart disease. For the Gamino family, it has never been about creating a legacy. It has always been about doing everything possible, together, to make sure heart families feel safe, supported, and seen.
Taylor's Story
The Gamino Family
Taylor, 5 years old
Fontan surgery recovery
Why did we build our own camp facility?
When Taylor was 17 years old, he voiced his dream during Giving Tree Time at Teen Camp, "I understand and accept the fact that I will die early from heart disease, that isn't my greatest fear. My greatest fear is that Camp Taylor could not be here for the next generation of kids that survive. It's changed our lives and helped us cope. The camp has to continue. Camp Taylor not existing in the future is my greatest fear."
~Taylor James Gamino
This brutally honest statement caused our camp founder, Taylor's mother, to pause and set a course to guarantee camp programs for decades moving forward. Building a permanent camp facility became the long-term goal after hearing Taylor share these transparent concerns. The construction work is underway, we are currently Building Taylor's Dream and nothing will stop the Gamino family from fulfilling this dream. Not even a pandemic.
Rollin Podwys
Taylor's Grandfather
Our Papa
Camp Director for two decades! Thank you for the love!
May 2026- Taylor is doing very well!
Taylor, the namesake of our organization, serves as Camp Taylor’s Director of Fund Development. After graduating from college with honors, he continues to thrive while living with a complex single-ventricle heart condition and is doing exceptionally well.
Driven by an infectious passion to serve others, Taylor is committed to helping as many children growing up with congenital heart disease as possible. He oversees Camp Taylor’s Mentor and Leadership Program, shares his story through public speaking to expand awareness of CHD, and plays an active role in fundraising to ensure camp programs remain strong, accessible, and life-changing for heart families.