In 1984 Maureen Herrick, an Omaha housewife, viewed a national talk show's feature on a unique summer camp that hosted children with cancer and blood disorders. Because of their unique medical needs, the show's host noted that many children with cancer and blood disorders were deprived of the opportunity for a normal summer camp experience.

Maureen contacted Robyn Freeman, then the director of the Campfire USA Midlands Council, to see if a similar camp existed in Nebraska. Finding none, they contacted the head of the pediatric hematology/oncology department at Children's Hospital, sparking the birth of Camp CoHoLo. Camp CoHoLo held its first summer camp, a three-day event, in 1985 for 22 children.

CoHoLo is an acronym for Courage, Hope and Love, the guiding principles behind the formation of Camp CoHoLo. From its humble beginnings, Camp CoHoLo now hosts 140 to 160 children each July during an eight-day camp.

The summer camp is held at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center near Gretna. The 4-H Center features ten two-story cabins nestled within the wilderness and a large, air-conditioned lodge used for activities and meals.

In May 2005, Camp CoHoLo and its volunteers were awarded the Heartland Better Business Bureau Integrity Award for service to children in the region.