Founded in 1948 by USC student Otis Healy, Troy Camp is an integral part of the USC community. As one of the university’s oldest and largest philanthropy organizations, we are committed to providing long-term mentorship for the youth of South Los Angeles.
Throughout the school year, we build relationships with local youth through the following programs: SMASH and SP, elementary school tutoring and extracurricular programming; Leaders in Training, a mentorship program for middle school students; and TC Leads, a high school mentorship program.
In the summer we host a week-long camp in the San Bernardino Mountains for 200 elementary school students and throughout the year we hold monthly events for returning campers at various places around Los Angeles. We're non-denominational, a nonprofit, and all of our programs are free for students.
Our organization is run entirely by student volunteers at the University of Southern California. We come from all over the world and have many different stories and backgrounds, but we're all committed to helping our campers achieve their dreams.
Music Industry - Class of 2028
Troy Camp has completely shaped my USC experience in the best way. It was one of the first organizations I joined, and from the beginning the community was so welcoming. As a freshman coming from the midwest, adjusting to a new place was definitely overwhelming at times, but Troy Camp helped me find a home at USC. It gave me a support system, lifelong friends, and a community I genuinely feel connected to.
Intelligence & Cyber Operations - Class of 2027
Troy Camp completely changed how I view what a club at USC can be. Before joining, I thought of clubs as either hobby-based or career-oriented, something that mostly benefits the individual. Troy Camp showed me that with a little dedication, a student organization can have a much larger, tangible impact on both the community and the campers it serves. One time, I was at Ralphs wearing my Troy Camp shirt when the cashier started talking about how she had been a camper in middle school and how much fun it was. That moment stuck with me and made me realize how lasting and meaningful the impact of Troy Camp truly is.
Human Biology - Class of 2028
As a former Troy Camp camper myself, I am beyond grateful to have the experience of making an impact on other kids of LA as my counselors once impacted mine. Troy Camp has given me an opportunity to know what it is like to serve others and with that, there is always something I am looking forward to during my week.
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In 1948, USC student Otis Healy founded Troy Camp, a 10-day summer camp for underprivileged boys in South Los Angeles. More than six decades have passed since that first camp, which ran with just 15 counselors and 45 campers.
Camp traditions are passed down from generation to generation, each adding a little of their own unique spirit to the story of Troy Camp. We've expanded our reach and added many new programs over the years, and today we're the largest student-run philanthropy on campus, committed to working with elementary, middle, and high school students year-round.
