Camp Safe Haven offers respite to children with HIV through annual camp experience in Massachussets and Maryland.
Vineyard Haven, MA (7/1/2006) - - Camp Safe Haven offers respite and fun to children with HIV. For the past twelve years, The Safe Haven Project has offered unique camp-retreat style experiences to young people from across the US who live with HIV and AIDS. Based upon the simple premise that one person can make a profound difference, the project was created in direct response to the prejudice and stigma so often leveled upon those living with HIV and AIDS.
Through the annual camp experience in Massachussets and Maryland, Safe Haven brings together uninfected young people and members of the local community who act as counselors and mentors; friends to those for whom friendship is sometimes in short supply, Campers are accepted for who they are in spite of their affliction and are opened to a community in which they are accepted and welcomed. Over the years, The Safe Haven Project has held over 30 camps in three states and has served literally hundreds of young people, many of whom go on to become volunteers themselves. With a cadre of wonderful volunteer Registered Nurses, care is meted out with fun, medicine, with laughter, and so much more. "Our nurses are the cornerstone of every camp experience." Says Director of Programming, Tony Lombardi. "Under the leadership of our Nursing Coordinators Tammy Pittyathikhun from PA and Linda Fasci from Mass, great care is taken to create an atmosphere of relaxed care." The nursing unit is a fun filled place, where campers can spend time informally with Nurses, something they rarely get to experience in the traditional clinical setting. Safe Haven has been honored to have Nurses volunteer from many renowned hospitals and clinics including, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Maryland Medical Center, BU School of Medicine, Harvard Medical, and Brigham and Women's to name a few. Warmth and camaraderie; laughter and fun abound at each camp. The August Camp Safe Haven session runs from August 15 - 20th and is located atop a mountain ridge in Frederick Maryland.Safe Haven offers a very flexible schedule to meet the demanding lives of our nurses. Interested Nurses should contact Tony Lombardi for more information.