Hope in the Heart: World Camp's programming - Camp Hope

  Not all that long ago, World Camp solicited some feedback from our network of
  alumni. We wanted to know: how can we best communicate with you, what sort of
  information are you wanting to hear from us? One of the requests from alumni
  was more information about our programs. In an effort to give the people what
  they want, we’re starting a small blog series about our current programs. Each
  week, we will feature one of our programs, give a little background, discuss where the program is headed and share some wonderful photos. This week we will be focusing on Camp Hope, our camp for HIV-positive children.

This summer World Camp will be operating our fourth Camp Hope. The focus of Camp Hope is living positively, drug regimen adherence, life skills, nutrition, dealing with stigma and discrimination, and of course, a dose of classic summer camp fun. Camp Hope is a unique program because it specializes in psychosocial support, an oft-neglected programming area. Many programs that target individuals living with HIV/AIDS focus entirely on the physical effects of the disease. While one cannot underplay the importance of such programming, it does not address the patient as a whole. Camp is an opportunity for our campers to simply be kids, to live free from the secrecy and stigma that they normally face, and a chance to bond with children dealing with similar obstacles.

World Camp operates Camp Hope with two partner organizations. The first is SeriousFun Children’s Network, formerly The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps. SeriousFun is a global network of camps dedicated to providing children with “serious illnesses” an opportunity to simply be kids, to have fun, and where campers could, in founder Paul Newman’s words, “raise a little hell.” The third member of our partnership is Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation, Malawi. Baylor- Malawi is related to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Baylor-Malawi’s mission is to conduct a program of high-quality, high impact, highly ethical pediatric and family HIV/AIDS care and treatment, health professional training and clinical research.

All campers come to camp through the Baylor-Malawi healthcare system, meaning that they are aware of their HIV status and are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy. Campers must also be healthy enough to attend Camp and participate in all the fun events we organize each year. Baylor-Malawi provides doctors and nurses to provide medical care on-site during the weeks of Camp.

This year marks a possible huge turning point in the program. The Camp Hope partnership received a grant from UNICEF which is allowing us to reach out to 50% more campers than originally anticipated! This summer we are expecting to host 150 campers during two, weeklong camp sessions this August. 

 World Camp also operates a follow-up program in the months after camp proper. These sessions bring back together all 80 campers to continue to build on the lessons from Camp. Further, these sessions allow campers to continue to build relationships with one another and feel directly the support of the Camp Hope staff. This year World Camp is working to incorporate into World Camp children from our area of geographic focus, the Malikha Zone. The goal is to bring 30 campers to Camp from the Malikha which would be especially amazing as they campers are currently not receiving any services.

Stay tuned for more updates or write us with any questions!