Beyond the Campfire
Buffalo, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
A group of young adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) who, after attending Camp Footprint, sparked a powerful movement. The documentary highlights their journey, showing how they’ve built a supportive community and pushed for lasting change in advocacy and awareness for CMT
Beyond the Campfire
Buffalo, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Drama
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $30,306 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
110 supporters | followers
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A group of young adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) who, after attending Camp Footprint, sparked a powerful movement. The documentary highlights their journey, showing how they’ve built a supportive community and pushed for lasting change in advocacy and awareness for CMT
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For those living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), isolation can be all too familiar. Growing up with a rare disease often means being the only person in your school, your town, or even your family who truly understands what it’s like. That experience can make the world feel incredibly lonely.
But at Camp Footprint, that isolation transforms into connection, understanding, and empowerment.
So... what is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? And what's Camp Footprint?
Camp Footprint is the only camp in the entire world exclusively for kids living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT).
We’re not talking about CMT as in the Country Music Television Awards, and before you ask, no, nothing is wrong with our teeth.
CMT is a rare hereditary neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and sensory loss, primarily in the hands and feet. Yes, we know, that's a mouthful. And even that doesn’t capture the extent of what it means to live with CMT.
There are over 160 subtypes of CMT, so no two people with CMT are affected exactly alike. Some can run and jump with ease. Others move through the world more slowly, with or without mobility aids. Some need support all the time, others only now and then. Some of us inherited CMT from our parents, while others have it due to a spontaneous genetic mutation.
Some types of CMT are rarer than others, but the disease itself is rare too, affecting every 1 in 2,500 people worldwide.
For many kids attending Camp Footprint, this is the first time they're meeting anyone else with CMT, and that changes everything. Camp Footprint is where they finally feel seen and heard. It's where they form lasting friendships with others who just get it. All the struggles, the inside jokes, the challenges and the victories. And it's where they connect with mentors, adult counselors who also live with CMT.
Sure, we’ve got a few able-bodied counselors too, but the majority of our team, including both Camp Directors, live with CMT themselves.
As Camp Footprint celebrates its 10th anniversary, Beyond the Campfire embarks on a journey to document the camp's origins and the powerful community it has sparked along the way.
Several years ago, a visionary camp director, an able-bodied counselor, and five young campers planted a seed that would blossom into something bigger than they ever imagined: the CMT Youth Council.
Born from the bonds formed at Camp Footprint, this council has become a beacon of hope and advocacy. By uniting young individuals with CMT, they've built a community where kids find support at an early age, something many of us never had.
The Youth Council focuses on:
- Building community – so no child with CMT ever grows up feeling alone
- Advocacy – raising awareness and pushing for advancements in CMT research
- Engagement – welcoming new members and keeping the community connected and thriving
Their work is laying the foundation for future generations to grow up with pride, strength, and a strong sense of belonging.
While today's youth benefit from early connections, many older individuals with CMT spent decades without a community, often facing late diagnoses, misdiagnoses, or prolonged periods of isolation.
Beyond the Campfire will explore this generational divide by visiting members of the CMT community who never had access to a camp like this, or a community like the one that now exists.
Through heartfelt stories, we'll witness the transformative power of belonging and understand why early support and connection can change everything.
Growing up with CMT, I often felt like an outsider, navigating challenges that others around me couldn't fully understand.
I was diagnosed at just a year old, but I didn’t find my community until I was 23.
And I often wonder if I had found this community as a kid, how would my life be different? Would I have learned to advocate for myself sooner? Would I have seen CMT as something to be proud of, rather than shameful of?
I'll never know for sure, but what I can tell you with full certainty is finding my people has healed my inner child in ways I never thought possible.
Discovering Camp Footprint was a turning point for me. It's where I found my tribe, my voice, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This documentary is my way of giving back, of sharing the stories that have shaped this community, and of ensuring that the fire ignited at Camp Footprint never goes out.
Camp Footprint is turning 10! That’s ten years of memories, laughter, growth, and deep, lasting impact.
This milestone is a perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to look ahead to the future. By documenting Camp Footprint’s legacy and the programs that have grown from it, we hope to spark broader conversations about:
- Inclusivity
- Representation
- And the life-changing power of community when navigating a rare disease
We are currently in the pre-production phase, gearing up to capture the heart and soul of Camp Footprint's 10th Anniversary! Your support will directly help us with:
- Travel: Getting our dedicated crew to and from camp
- Lodging: Giving the team a comfy spot to rest after long shooting days
- Accessibility: Renting golf carts to navigate the campgrounds
- Meals: Keeping our crew fueled and focused.
- Equipment & Logistics: Ensuring we capture this story with the quality it deserves
Making a film takes a community, and we'd love for you to be part of ours!
Here's how you can get involved:
- Pledge: No contribution is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal.
- Share: Spread the word on social media, through email, or just by talking to a friend.
- Engage: Follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook @beyondthecampfire_film
Whether you have CMT, know someone who does, you're just now hearing about it for the first time, or you simply believe in the power of community, there’s a place for you.
Your support goes far beyond funding a film! It helps us reach the kids with CMT who feel alone, the parents searching for hope, and a world that needs to see what true inclusion, resilience, and community looks like.
So, if you believe in the impact of community, how one moment of belonging can set the course for a lifetime, please consider supporting this documentary.
What Footprint will you leave?
Follow our campaign, share our story, and help us bring this vision to life.
Together, we can make it happen!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $5,000
Our team needs to travel across the country to capture the magic of Camp Footprint! This funding covers flights and baggage for our crew.
Gear Rentals
Costs $15,000
This budget allows us to rent professional filmmaking gear, ensuring every moment is captured in stunning detail!
Lodging
Costs $4,750
As dedicated as our crew is, sleeping in a car doesn’t scream dream job. This ensures they have a place to rest after long days of filming!
Golf Cart Rentals
Costs $500
Our crew will be carrying heavy equipment all day, and campgrounds aren’t exactly small. This budget ensures we can keep up with the action!
Food
Costs $5,000
We’d love to keep our crew fueled with proper meals instead of surviving on granola bars and coffee!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I’m beyond lucky to have such an amazing team behind this documentary. We met during college and worked on some of our first projects together. Over the years, they’ve built a strong bond working on countless productions, and I’m thrilled to now join forces with them on this.
Cece Hubbard, our Director of Photography, brings a cinematic eye and technical precision that’s unmatched. Rachel Frank, our Producer, is the driving force who keeps us organized, focused, and on track, ensuring every detail of this production runs smoothly. Braedon Walters, our First Assistant Camera, has an impeccable eye for detail and a work ethic that elevates every frame. Corey Marr, my editor, has been a crucial part of bringing this story to life, and I couldn’t ask for a more talented collaborator.
What makes this team so special is their incredible talent, passion, and the genuine camaraderie we share. It’s an honor to collaborate with them to capture the magic of Camp Footprint and the power of this community. I trust them completely, and I’m so excited to share our journey with all of you!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
For those living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), isolation can be all too familiar. Growing up with a rare disease often means being the only person in your school, your town, or even your family who truly understands what it’s like. That experience can make the world feel incredibly lonely.
But at Camp Footprint, that isolation transforms into connection, understanding, and empowerment.
So... what is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? And what's Camp Footprint?
Camp Footprint is the only camp in the entire world exclusively for kids living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT).
We’re not talking about CMT as in the Country Music Television Awards, and before you ask, no, nothing is wrong with our teeth.
CMT is a rare hereditary neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and sensory loss, primarily in the hands and feet. Yes, we know, that's a mouthful. And even that doesn’t capture the extent of what it means to live with CMT.
There are over 160 subtypes of CMT, so no two people with CMT are affected exactly alike. Some can run and jump with ease. Others move through the world more slowly, with or without mobility aids. Some need support all the time, others only now and then. Some of us inherited CMT from our parents, while others have it due to a spontaneous genetic mutation.
Some types of CMT are rarer than others, but the disease itself is rare too, affecting every 1 in 2,500 people worldwide.
For many kids attending Camp Footprint, this is the first time they're meeting anyone else with CMT, and that changes everything. Camp Footprint is where they finally feel seen and heard. It's where they form lasting friendships with others who just get it. All the struggles, the inside jokes, the challenges and the victories. And it's where they connect with mentors, adult counselors who also live with CMT.
Sure, we’ve got a few able-bodied counselors too, but the majority of our team, including both Camp Directors, live with CMT themselves.
As Camp Footprint celebrates its 10th anniversary, Beyond the Campfire embarks on a journey to document the camp's origins and the powerful community it has sparked along the way.
Several years ago, a visionary camp director, an able-bodied counselor, and five young campers planted a seed that would blossom into something bigger than they ever imagined: the CMT Youth Council.
Born from the bonds formed at Camp Footprint, this council has become a beacon of hope and advocacy. By uniting young individuals with CMT, they've built a community where kids find support at an early age, something many of us never had.
The Youth Council focuses on:
- Building community – so no child with CMT ever grows up feeling alone
- Advocacy – raising awareness and pushing for advancements in CMT research
- Engagement – welcoming new members and keeping the community connected and thriving
Their work is laying the foundation for future generations to grow up with pride, strength, and a strong sense of belonging.
While today's youth benefit from early connections, many older individuals with CMT spent decades without a community, often facing late diagnoses, misdiagnoses, or prolonged periods of isolation.
Beyond the Campfire will explore this generational divide by visiting members of the CMT community who never had access to a camp like this, or a community like the one that now exists.
Through heartfelt stories, we'll witness the transformative power of belonging and understand why early support and connection can change everything.
Growing up with CMT, I often felt like an outsider, navigating challenges that others around me couldn't fully understand.
I was diagnosed at just a year old, but I didn’t find my community until I was 23.
And I often wonder if I had found this community as a kid, how would my life be different? Would I have learned to advocate for myself sooner? Would I have seen CMT as something to be proud of, rather than shameful of?
I'll never know for sure, but what I can tell you with full certainty is finding my people has healed my inner child in ways I never thought possible.
Discovering Camp Footprint was a turning point for me. It's where I found my tribe, my voice, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This documentary is my way of giving back, of sharing the stories that have shaped this community, and of ensuring that the fire ignited at Camp Footprint never goes out.
Camp Footprint is turning 10! That’s ten years of memories, laughter, growth, and deep, lasting impact.
This milestone is a perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to look ahead to the future. By documenting Camp Footprint’s legacy and the programs that have grown from it, we hope to spark broader conversations about:
- Inclusivity
- Representation
- And the life-changing power of community when navigating a rare disease
We are currently in the pre-production phase, gearing up to capture the heart and soul of Camp Footprint's 10th Anniversary! Your support will directly help us with:
- Travel: Getting our dedicated crew to and from camp
- Lodging: Giving the team a comfy spot to rest after long shooting days
- Accessibility: Renting golf carts to navigate the campgrounds
- Meals: Keeping our crew fueled and focused.
- Equipment & Logistics: Ensuring we capture this story with the quality it deserves
Making a film takes a community, and we'd love for you to be part of ours!
Here's how you can get involved:
- Pledge: No contribution is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal.
- Share: Spread the word on social media, through email, or just by talking to a friend.
- Engage: Follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook @beyondthecampfire_film
Whether you have CMT, know someone who does, you're just now hearing about it for the first time, or you simply believe in the power of community, there’s a place for you.
Your support goes far beyond funding a film! It helps us reach the kids with CMT who feel alone, the parents searching for hope, and a world that needs to see what true inclusion, resilience, and community looks like.
So, if you believe in the impact of community, how one moment of belonging can set the course for a lifetime, please consider supporting this documentary.
What Footprint will you leave?
Follow our campaign, share our story, and help us bring this vision to life.
Together, we can make it happen!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $5,000
Our team needs to travel across the country to capture the magic of Camp Footprint! This funding covers flights and baggage for our crew.
Gear Rentals
Costs $15,000
This budget allows us to rent professional filmmaking gear, ensuring every moment is captured in stunning detail!
Lodging
Costs $4,750
As dedicated as our crew is, sleeping in a car doesn’t scream dream job. This ensures they have a place to rest after long days of filming!
Golf Cart Rentals
Costs $500
Our crew will be carrying heavy equipment all day, and campgrounds aren’t exactly small. This budget ensures we can keep up with the action!
Food
Costs $5,000
We’d love to keep our crew fueled with proper meals instead of surviving on granola bars and coffee!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I’m beyond lucky to have such an amazing team behind this documentary. We met during college and worked on some of our first projects together. Over the years, they’ve built a strong bond working on countless productions, and I’m thrilled to now join forces with them on this.
Cece Hubbard, our Director of Photography, brings a cinematic eye and technical precision that’s unmatched. Rachel Frank, our Producer, is the driving force who keeps us organized, focused, and on track, ensuring every detail of this production runs smoothly. Braedon Walters, our First Assistant Camera, has an impeccable eye for detail and a work ethic that elevates every frame. Corey Marr, my editor, has been a crucial part of bringing this story to life, and I couldn’t ask for a more talented collaborator.
What makes this team so special is their incredible talent, passion, and the genuine camaraderie we share. It’s an honor to collaborate with them to capture the magic of Camp Footprint and the power of this community. I trust them completely, and I’m so excited to share our journey with all of you!