Summer Camp 2010

History

Twin States Network is a small non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support services to families and children infected or affected by HIV and Hepatitis C in New Hampshire and Vermont. 

In early 2000, the Geneva Point Conference Center approached Twin States Network and Dartmouth Hitchcock Family HIV Program and using their beautiful site for a camp for children and families impacted by HIV.  In 2001, the first family camp was sponsored by the two organizations.  This two night camp on Lake Winnipesauke was frequently the first place families with HIV could be together safely.  By 2002, the children asked for a camp of their own- without their parents, so my mutual agreement Twin States Network and Dartmouth Hitchcock Family HIV Program agreed that there was a need for the young pre-adolescent children to have a camp of their own.  2003 marked the first year of Kids Camp.  For some of these children, this is the first time they can be open about their HIV status and the HIV or HCV status of their parents.  The children form fast friendships, and for many of them, this is the only time all year that they can relax and fully be themselves. 

For several years the camp was fully funded by the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.  Unfortunately in 2005 CAAF no longer had funds to continue to fund most of the HIV/AIDS camps around the country, and in 2009 CAAF stopped funding camps altogether.

Twin States Network has continued to offer this camp for 15-25 children between the ages of 8 and 17.  When the children asked to extend the camp from three to four days, Twin States Network found a way to do that.

Sadly, in 2010 Twin States Network has been unable to raise any funds to run the camp.  Most of our reliable funders were seriously impacted by the economic downturn. 

Why Have Kids Camp

All the children who attend Kids Camp live in families that are below 200% of poverty – that means a family of four is living on less than $22,000 a year.  In addition, many live in homes that have become extremely disorganized as a result of HIV, stigma and periodic incapacity of the parents.

The following is an excerpt from a letter from one of the Kids Camp Counselors. 
Being responsible for a cabin of girls ranging in age from 9-14 was an obligation I didn’t take lightly. As we drifted off to sleep, the conversation in the dark echoed with the tragedy of kids and HIV.  One girl spoke of her mother and how sick she was all the time, leaving her to care for her siblings.  Another talked about her own need for frequent hospitalization and how her meds made her so very sick.   They sought reassurance, extra hugs, hand-holding, love.  They had to walk with me, eat with me, swim with me, talk with me, have my full attention all the time.   Even the older children still needed to sleep with ragged blankets and tattered stuffed animals because it made them feel safe.  Two of them continued to suck their thumbs in order to get to sleep and swore their cabin-mates to secrecy.  

Within the first 36 hours it was apparent how important this oasis was to the group.  Many were here for repeat visits.  They were comfortable with one another and didn’t need to censor expression of their needs and wants.  They laughed and cried with equal gusto.  They got mad when things didn’t go right. In other words, they got to be regular kids with regular issues, rather than ‘those’ kids dealing with HIV.  Likewise, they did not receive special treatment because of their HIV status, an important equalizer.  They received help in developing coping skills.  They were encouraged to talk out problems, share feelings. 

Children who have attended say that they look forward to the camp each year.  Some statements from last year’s evaluations show that children come to Kids Camp “because it helps get rid of problems on their mind,” and “that there is (sic) other people in the world that is going through the same thing.”   “I come to Kids Camp,” wrote another, “because my mom is HIV positive….there are people out there like you that live or have HIV/AIDS…Just because we have a family member or have HIV/AIDS … doesn’t mean we are different from others and so we can have friends to talk about what we’re thinking.”

Camp Costs

The camp costs approximately $200 per child.  These funds cover paying three counselors, and the camp coordinator who is also a therapist who specializes in adolescence.  Additional camp costs include arts and crafts supplies, snacks, decorations for the Saturday night dance, t-shirts and housing.  Since its inception, Kids Camp has received backpacks from the Miracle Providers.  Although the packs are not necessary, they ensure that each child has a beach towel, their own bug spray and sunscreen, a water bottle and the basic necessities for the upcoming school year.  This year we have enough t-shirts left over from last year, so we will not need to purchase them.