Camp Heartland children to visit

Children from Camp Heartland, the nation’s largest camp for children impacted by HIV/AIDS, will be visiting campus this week to share their message of hope and courage with the campus community.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the Great Hall of Memorial Union. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. Camp Heartland was founded by UW–Madison alumnus Neil Willenson.

As part of their “Journey of Hope” tour, campers will share their stories about living with a life-threatening illness, going public in their communities and their hopes for the future.

Camp Heartland is a Milwaukee-based summer camp and life-enhancement program for children who either have HIV/AIDS, live with a parent or sibling who is infected, or who have lost a close family member to the disease. Children pay nothing to go to camp, which is located on 80 acres in Willow Lake, Minn. The goal is for affected children to have fun with their peers and feel complete acceptance and support.

“Journey of Hope” is one of the ways that Camp Heartland is involved in educating the public about the AIDS epidemic and, specifically, how it is affecting the lives of children in the United States.

Since year-round support for one child costs $3,000, Camp Heartland is always accepting donations. Currently, 400 children attend Camp Heartland each summer, and 200 more children are on the waiting list.

The “Journey of Hope” tour stop is sponsored by the UW–Madison chapter of Students for Camp Heartland, a student organization that concentrates on fundraising, HIV/AIDS education and community outreach.

For more information, or to make a donation, call (414) 272-1118 or visit http://www.campheartland.org/.