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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2010
CAMP KINDLE, HIV/AIDS CAMP, TO HOLD 6TH ANNUAL SESSION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Week-long camp to host more than 100 west coast area kids
at annual session
ORANGE, CA – More than 100 campers and 65 volunteers will participate in Camp Kindle starting July 17th for a one-week, cost-free camping program for children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS at the Outdoor Education Center in Orange, CA.
This is the 12th year that Camp Kindle will be offering their camping services nationally, and the sixth year that they will be hosting the week-long camp in Southern California. Since its founding in 1999, Project Kindle has grown into a multi-faceted organization, which holds two week-long summer camping programs – one in Nebraska and one in Southern California.
Additionally, Project Kindle supports its campers throughout the year by offering Life Skills Retreats, SPEAK OUT, the iKnow multimedia campaign and the “Students Affected by AIDS” Scholarship Program.
In order to take Project Kindle’s programs to the next level, they are in the early stages of designing and building a fully-functioning, barrier-free campsite in Southern California. Not only will Kindle Ranch, as it is called, be able to fully support the needs of Project Kindle’s many programs, but the site will be available for use throughout the year for other non-profit camps similar to Project Kindle. Eventually, the goal is to spin Kindle Ranch off to become its own 501c3 non-profit organization.
According to Founder and CEO of Project Kindle, Eva Payne, Camp Kindle is a place where kids can come to forget the daily stresses that accompany the stigma of HIV/AIDS in the United States. “HIV so profoundly affects the lives of each of our campers and they often live with secrets. However, when these amazing youth are at camp, they are no longer different from their peers. At Camp Kindle, different become normal,” she said.
In order to create a week that the campers will never forget, Camp Kindle organizes a variety of different activities such as Arts and Crafts, Nature, Sports, Cheerleading, and Scrapbooking. Each day they spend some time at their activity with the hope that they leave camp with a new skill.
Campers also participate in Project Kindle’s very own peer-to-peer speaker’s bureau – SPEAK OUT (Sharing Personal Experiences and Knowledge: Our Unique Truths). During SPEAK OUT sessions, campers take part in workshops that are aimed to help them understand how AIDS impacts their lives. During the school year, many of the campers are taken on SPEAK OUT tours throughout the country and internationally, in order to help reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS among their peers.
This is the second year in a row that Camp Kindle will hold their California session at the Outdoor Education Center. Director of Camping Programs, Nichol Costa, is looking forward to taking advantage of the amenities that they have to offer again this year. “This year the pool is built, so our campers will be very excited to swim in a brand new pool with a water slide,” she said. “Also, with the amount of new campers and new staff, it should be an exciting year of ‘firsts’ at Camp Kindle.”
Despite ongoing growth and changes to Project Kindle, one thing never changes: the difference that Camp Kindle makes in the lives of young individuals year after year has continued to inspire Payne to work hard and give campers an unforgettable week. “Camp Kindle continues to inspire me, even after 12 years of service, I am constantly encouraged by the hope and courage of the campers each summer,” said Payne.
The California session of Camp Kindle will begin with staff training on Saturday, July 17th with campers arriving on Monday, July 19th. The second session of Camp Kindle being held in Nebraska will begin on Sunday, August 1st with campers arriving on Monday, August 2nd.
About Project Kindle:
Project Kindle is a 501c3 non-profit based in Santa Clarita, CA. The mission of Project Kindle is to “improve the quality of life for children, young adults, and families through recreational experiences, educational programs and support services.” Project Kindle, formerly Camp Kindle, has been providing cost-free services for families since 1999, and has recently grown to offer multiple camping services and year-round support. Today, Project Kindle touches the lives of over 15,000 children, young adults, and families throughout the country and internationally. For more information or to donate to Project Kindle, please visit www.projectkindle.org.
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