This past week, SeriousFun Children’s Network, one of our implementing partners in Camp Hope, held an international Network Meeting in Connecticut. World Camp works with SeriousFun and Baylor-Malawi to plan and implement Camp Hope, our summer camp for youth living with HIV. SeriousFun operates similar camps around the globe, and once a year brings primary staff from all camps together to share best practices and receive training. Typically, I don’t get to attend Network Meetings, they’re directed primarily at staff that implement camps in a hands-on matter. However, because the event was being held in the States, I was able to attend this year!
The Network Meeting was one of the most reaffirming, inspiring events I have been able to attend in a long while. Staff from camps from around the world (Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa) come together to share their experience serving youths facing serious illnesses. Seeing the level of dedication displayed by these individuals was what was most inspiring. The people that staff the camps around the world are those that have grown up in that environment and have chosen to give back to their communities. The challenges these individuals have faced are often far greater than what I might, and their drive and passion is often incredibly deep-rooted.
The Meeting was very well-run, bringing the joy of camp together with the quality information found at a good conference. Held at the original Hole in the Wall Gang camp, the one started by Paul Newman, the setting was beautiful if a little cold - especially for our African counterparts. Chipingo Phiri, our Country Manager who serves as Camp Hope Camp Director had not been to the US before and was so enthused to see the beautiful camp grounds and meet other Camp Directors. We attended sessions on working with the media, new activities for camp, best practices from various programs, a small seminar for African camps, and more. Highlights of the trip included ridiculous group cheers, singing songs after meals, dance circles full of show-offs, and evening activities that involved bobbing for apples and an Americana photo booth.
The feeling I will carry with me the longest will be the sense of community that can so quickly be formed in a camp environment and the knowledge that that incredible feeling of warmth is being created for our campers each year. Camp is a singular and powerful experience of both carefree fun and deep, true acceptance and the fact that we are involved in bringing that to Malawian youths living with HIV overwhelms me with a reaffirmed sense of meaning.
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