Camping With HIV/AIDS Children To Build Self-Esteem

ISSUES ADDRESSED: Through careful planning and staffing, a medically safe and nurturing camp experience can be provided to children infected with HIV. Camp Hope and Camp Hug, offered to a consistent core of camp participants, increases trust and security, builds self esteem, strengthens social ties, and establishes peer networks for the children and the caregivers. The camping experience creates a level of normalcy that creates a well-child environment barring the typical issues of HIV children, i.e. disclosure, secrecy, stigma, discrimination, ostracism, and rejection, thus providing a safe environment to discuss critical issues such as sexuality and death. In addition, camp can provide for a safe and nurturing environment for affected siblings and adult caregivers, allowing for comprehensive psychosocial programming augmented by recreation activities.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: During 1996 and 1997, AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc., created Camp Hope, a weekend HIV+ children's camp, and Camp Hug, a weekend HIV+ family camp. Both camping experiences provided a safe and beneficial life experiences for children with HIV and their caregivers. In 1998, Camp Hope will begin a six day summer camp program for approximately 60 HIV+ children, ages 6-16.

LESSONS: With proper medical staffing, HIV+ children can have a medically safe camping experience that leads to an increased sense of security and self-esteem and provides a well-child environment that facilitates social development. Longitudinal evaluation shows improved life skills and social development resulting from the camp experience. Children with HIV need a safe environment for life experiences that lead to a stronger sense of normalcy and acceptance in order to increase self-esteem.