Words don’t give justice to the “spirit” of camp. You sense it in the beginning with the circle of hello, and feel it deep in your heart at the end of camp in the tear-filled goodbyes. It weaves itself through each meal, every friendship bracelet, and the late-night cabin talks. Spirit cannot be photographed. But, if you gaze deep into the eyes of campers and counselors, you will undoubtedly find it.
A typical Rise n’ Shine camper is HIV/AIDS infected or is HIV/AIDS affected. This means a camper has an infected parent, sibling, or a close family relative living with them. Or, a camper may have parent or other family member who has died from AIDS related complications.
Most campers come from an impoverished home, without the resources needed for a summer camp experience. Many live in fear and shame without being able to experience the joys and laughter of childhood. Being with others with similar life experiences enables campers to feel accepted and normal, not rejected or different. The staff and volunteers strive to provide a camp atmosphere free from worry, fear, stigma, and the hassles of living with HIV/AIDS.
Creating a balance between traditional camp experiences plus character building and physical challenges enables Rise n’ Shine to meet the needs of the campers’ varying ages (5-15) and interests. This balance creates a conducive environment and supports campers in exceeding their personal goals, learning new skills, and exploring new, formative experiences. Canoeing, archery, swimming, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, S’mores, and a Polar Bear swim are some of the many activities available. Junior counselors, who are older teens ages 16-18, and volunteer counselors and staff join in and lead many of these activities.
Spending a week at summer camp in a rustic cabin with Rise n’ Shine children, counselors come to understand why a child, who has never spent enough time in one place to call home, says “I don’t want to leave; this is my real family.” In the shadows they carry with them, campers remember the brightness of the day, the acceptance, and love. Each summer they return.
