Camp Heartland & Camp Pacific Heartland Campers
Whether or not they are personally living with HIV/AIDS, our Camp Heartland and Camp Pacific Heartland campers are typical kids and teens. They enjoy typical youth activities such as listening to music, dancing, playing sports and hanging out with friends. Almost all of our campers attend mainstream school programs and participate in activities in their home communities ranging from the school football team to church choir.
Many of our campers living with HIV/AIDS have extensive medical regimens, and have had medication as part of their day to day life since birth. Thankfully, when taken regularly, HIV medications help keep our kids relatively healthy. Most of the campers in our programs live full and active lives. Unfortunately, some of our campers have higher viral loads and weaker immune systems. This may lead to complicated medical treatments and medication schedules, and may also lead to the kids feeling sick or tired more often. Some of our campers spend time in the hospital each year, either due to an infection or as part of their regular treatment.
Camp Heartland campers live across the United States and even internationally, including former campers from the West Indies and Canada. Many campers live in big cities; some live in very small country towns. Participants in our regular camping programs are age 7 to 15, but young adults age 16 to 20 remain active in the Camp Heartland community through our progressive Leadership Programs and Youth Retreat programs.
Members of the Camp Heartland community represent a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Approximately 56% of our campers are African American, 14% Caucasian, 13% Latino and 17% are multiracial or from other ethnicities. A large percentage of our campers live in households that are at or below the poverty level. In addition, a number of Camp Heartland campers live with extended relatives or in foster care due to the death or illness of their parents.
Birch Family Alliance Campers
Long a haven for families living with HIV/AIDS, the Birch Family Camp (now the Birch Family Alliance) has been providing support, respite and advocacy programs to families since 1989. Birch Family Alliance is a place for families to talk openly about HIV/AIDS and to receive desperately needed support in doing so. It is a place where teenagers can speak freely about their dreams, and to get support in taking the steps needed to achieve them. For families who've so long lived in shame, isolation and fear, the camp is a place to grow, to experience new things and to find a sense of community and hope. Over 90% of the clients at Birch Family Camp live at or below the federal poverty guidelines in the five boroughs of New York City.
