The Muddy Puddles Project is a celebration of children and childhood. It was inspired by five-year old Ty Campbell, a little boy who absolutely LOVED Peppa Pig and dreamed of jumping in muddy puddles just like her when his cancer was cured. The project embodies the act of kids being kids in honor of those who can’t.
At its core, The Muddy Puddles Project is a vehicle to remind parents to stop sweating the small stuff; but it is also a fundraising platform for the Ty Louis Campbell (TLC) Foundation in support of childhood cancer research. After Ty lost his battle with cancer, his parents committed to finding ways to fund innovative research geared toward safer, more effective treatment of various childhood cancers. It is the perfect vehicle to engage children in philanthropy because it encourages them to have fun while doing good. In 2017, The Muddy Puddles Project became the official charity partner of Peppa Pig, enabling the nonprofit to meet more families, far and wide, and raise awareness for childhood cancer.
Peppa Pig and Entertainment One are eager to help spread the word about the Muddy Puddles Project and its mission to help children with cancer
Register to host a “Welly Walk” Fundraiser for a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Peppa Pig! Welly walks are a fun and exciting way to explore the outdoors while wearing wellies and rain slickers – rain or shine! We are looking for participants to join Peppa Pig and support the Muddy Puddles Project by hosting a Welly Walk fundraiser at their school or club. You can map your nature walk around the playground, across the school field, in the forest or go on a cross-country hike! It’s entirely up to you. Be sure to use the Welly Walk as an opportunity to explore nature with younger participants and incorporate learning opportunities along the way!
The Muddy Puddles “Mess Fests” are a series of large-scale events hosted by the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation. The largest of which takes place annually at Kiwi Country Day Camp (Mahopac, NY). The format for a Mess Fest is similar to a carnival with a wide range of tented areas and a wide range of family-friendly activities – from splatter paint to pie tosses (and of course, muddy puddles). Mess Fests, however, can be replicated across the country on a smaller scale. A do-it-yourself Mess Fest can be as simple as a backyard birthday party that includes puddles, finger paints, tie-dye t-shirts and an egg-and-spoon race. Download the Mess Fest kit, here.
April 1 has been officially proclaimed “National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day” by the Muddy Puddles Project, and it kicked off a whole season of special events benefitting childhood cancer research, including Peppa-inspired Welly Walks, an organized stroll outside in your favorite pair of wellies (rain boots). All Welly Walk participants were automatically entered for a chance to win a Meet-and-Greet with Peppa Pig, among other great prizes. We are so happy to announce that the Country Children’s Center in Katonah, New York was our 2017 grand prize winner! The Welly Walk contest is currently underway again, so be sure to sign-up. You could be our 2018 winner (winners will be announced on April 1, 2018).
In addition, the Muddy Puddles Project hosted a “Party with Peppa” on National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day at the Somers Sports Arena. The sold out event on April 1, was a huge success, and we will be hosting it again in 2018, so check back often.
In celebration of National Ice Cream Month (July), the Muddy Puddles Project and Zoe’s Ice Cream Barn teamed up to collect “recipe” submissions for children, featuring their ideas for a Muddy Puddles-themed ice cream flavor. After a week of taste testing in the store (and collecting votes), “Puppy Paws” was declared the winning flavor, and has since been sold in the store with Zoe’s donating a large portion of the proceeds to help the Muddy Puddles Project fund childhood cancer research.
Finally, our annual Mess Fest hosted by Kiwi Country Day Camp was held on August 5, and it was a tremendous success. Thousands of people came to join us in a celebration of childhood while helping us fund childhood cancer research. Check back often for news about upcoming events.
Be inspired! We love to feature some of our favorite photos that were posted to the Muddy Puddles Facebook Page and Instagram. Follow us on social media!
Chris & His Momma
Who says muddy puddles are just for kids? Christopher and his mom proved them wrong by taking the plunge and participating in the DIRTY DUNK at Mess Fest 2015. Sign-up today to join them on July 30 at Kiwi Country Day Camp!
Madison and Olivia
These girls think getting dirty and jumping in mud is “A-OK.” After spending some time digging, jumping, and just plain sitting in the mud, they let their creativity soar by making muddy handprints and messy art!
Jason & Julia
Where else can you throw a pie in your sister’s face without getting in trouble? The Muddy Puddles Mess Fest of course! Jason’s sister, Julia, was a real sport, laughing all the way as she allowed her little brother to make a huge mess – on her face!
Mackenzie
My girls love to paint, but they never seem to keep the paint on the paper so I’m often reluctant to let them get too messy with their arts and crafts. The Muddy Puddles Project reminded me to let their creativity soar. Forget finger paint, my daughter Mackenzie went straight for the toes!
