CANADA. empowering, children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS. July 20-27, 2013 Gull Lake, Ontario. A partnership program of:

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1 CAMP LAUREL CANADA empowering, children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS. July 20-27, 2013 Gull Lake, Ontario A partnership program of:

2 OUR MISSION To empower children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS in the greater Toronto area by providing a week long resident camp focusing on educational and supportive programs in a safe and trusting environment. OUR VISION A world in which children, youth and families live unencumbered by HIV/AIDS. OUR GOALS Improve the mental and physical health and welfare of children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS through a week long wilderness resident camp program. Assist in the formulation of life long support groups for children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS. Help children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS develop the skills and qualities necessary for independent, successful, self-sufficient lives. Introduce balance and compassion into the lives of children and youth living with HIV/AIDS by impelling them into experiences that show they can rise above the adversity and defeatism of HIV/AIDS, make more of their lives than they thought possible and learn to serve others with their knowledge and strength. Table of Contents Message from CAMP LAUREL CANADA and THE TERESA GROUP....3 The need 4 Program Outcomes 6 About the Partnering Agencies 7 About the Collaborating Companies..8 How you can help Sponsorship Opportunities Volunteer In-Kind Donations 15 Contact Us 16 2

3 Message from Camp Laurel C a m p L a u r e l C a n a d a Dear friends, The Laurel Foundation, in partnership with The Teresa Group, will host 40 children from the greater Toronto area, affected by HIV and AIDS to the inaugural Camp Laurel Canada program, July 20-27, This one week program will give children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS a chance to connect with peers facing similar challenges, build support groups, and most importantly have fun and learn life skills that will empower them to live self-sufficient, independent, productive lives. As Canadians, we inherently strive to build a country that provides the best to its citizens. Please support us in giving children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the greater Toronto area, a chance to experience the best life possible. Together we can truly make a difference in the lives of children who struggle daily to overcome the adversity of HIV and AIDS. Sincerely, Margot Anderson Karen Vance Wallace CEO/Founder Executive Director The Laurel Foundation/ The Teresa Group Camp Laurel Canada Your donation is 100% tax deductible in Canada. (BN/Reg. # RR0001) 3

4 The need Why a camp for children affected by HIV / AIDS Having HIV/AIDS in the family severely impacts children living in this situation. In many ways children have become the invisible casualties of this disease. Today, these children continue to face discrimination and live in a world of secrecy and isolation. The result is children who grow up with low self- esteem, as well as anger and shame, with no one to talk to about their feelings. This low self-esteem often leads to at-risk behaviors such as unsafe sex, lack of medication adherence, and involvement with gangs and drugs. Many of the children and youth live in low-income families, with little chance to escape their situation. They live in an economic environment that is not educated about disease, which creates further separation from peers. These children have few role models, and more often than not, they are the caregivers for the family. IS THE COST TO SEND A CHILD TO CAMP FOR A W E E K Summer Camp Objectives «Improved health and well-being «Create a safe, structured environment for campers «Supportive, life-long relationships with peers «Increased respect for self, others and community «Reduced incidence of at-risk behaviors «Development of life skills that lead to improved achievement (e.g., teamwork, responsibility) «Broadened perception of one s capabilities 4

5 The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Children The psychological impact on children affected by HIV and AIDS is tremendous. The affected child is often traumatized and suffers a variety of psychological reactions to parental illness and death. They endure a tremendous amount of stress from worry as well as insecurity and stigmatization. It is not uncommon for a child to drop out of school, be separated from siblings and friends (after the loss of a parent/guardian), have increased household workload and social isolation. All of these elements can impact negatively on the current and future mental health of the child. Many children tend to internalize their feelings and become depressed, withdraw and suffer from anxiety. * *The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Development of Children by Linda Richter CAMP INSPIRES PERSONAL GROWTH, SELF- ESTEEM, LEADERSHIP, COOPERATION, SELF RESILIANCE AND At Camp Laurel Canada, children form support groups with peers who are going through similar things in their lives. Camp fills their need for an emotionally and physically safe, non-threatening environment, where they are free to talk about HIV/AIDS if they choose, knowing they will not be judged or ridiculed but instead feel loved, understood, and trusted. At its core, the camp program teaches the children and youth to believe in themselves and understand that each one of them has the ability to make his or her life as full and rich as the next. From this self-assured foundation, the program provides activities that teach the knowledge and skills necessary so the child can reach his/her full potential in life. The need Why a camp for children affected by HIV / AIDS COURAGE. 5

6 Program Outcomes D e v e l o p m e n t a l O u t c o m e s Camp Laurel Canada will help children and youth living with HIV/ AIDS develop the skills and qualities needed for self-sufficient and successful lives. The program will: Improve TEAMWORK SKILLS Improve FRIENDSHIP SKILLS Improve INDEPENDENCE SKILLS Improve SELF ESTEEM Improve RESPONSIBILITY Camp Laurel Canada will host 40 CHILDREN FROM THE GREATER TORONTO AREA TO ATTEND. 6

7 About the partnering agencies The Teresa Group The Teresa Group, the most comprehensive provider of support services to children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in Canada, works with 386 families and approximately 680 children. Given these staggering numbers, one can only imagine how much an educational wilderness camp program in Ontario, would benefit these children. 680 Children are infected or affected by HIV and AIDS in the Toronto area. W h o w e a r e Camp Laurel Camp Laurel (Canada) is a registered Canadian charity founded in It is an affiliation of The Laurel Foundation based in Los Angeles California which has been providing resident camp programs to children, youth and their families for over 20 years. Through its year round programs, The Laurel Foundation serves over 600 children and families affected by and living with HIV and AIDS annually. Recognized as a leader in the USA for providing resident camp programs specifically for youth affected by HIV and AIDS, The Laurel Foundation and Camp Laurel have dreamed of creating a program for children affected by HIV and AIDS in Canada for over 15 years. Camp Laurel is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been awarded the Program of Excellence award by the ACA. 7

8 About our collaborators W h o i s s u p p o r t i n g t h e p r o g r a m The University of Toronto, Civil Engineering We are proud to have the collaboration of the University of Toronto Civil Engineering Department, who has agreed to rent out to Camp Laurel Canada (at a reduced cost) their camp site on Gull Lake, Ontario. Alive Outdoors Alive Outdoors is an experiential and outdoor education company specializing in the creation and delivery of customized, meaningful programs for schools and organizations. Their programs are designed to inspire personal growth, self-reliance, courage, cooperation, leadership and self-esteem. We are proud to have Alive Outdoors collaborate with Camp Laurel Canada. Summer Camp makes kids * resilient * Psychology Today Feb. 5, 2012 Nurturing Resilience Michael Ungar, Ph. D. 8

9 How you can help O p p o r t u n i t i e s WAYS YOU CAN HELP To produce this camp, we are in need of a TEAM of heroes. We need: Sponsors Volunteers In-kind Donations $22,000 IS NEEDED TO PRODUCE THIS PROGRAM. 9

10 Sponsorship Opportunities P l a t i n u m L a u r e l L e a f BENEFITS: Sponsorship of 20 children to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA Company recognition in all promotional material and media coverage Large logo signage on camp t-shirts Logo signage on Camp hats Full page ad in Camp Yearbook Company recognition on Camp Laurel web page Recognition in quarterly e-newsletter and on all Camp Laurel social media platforms All donations are 100% tax deductible. DONATE ONLINE AT: 20 $10,000 DONATION children will attend camp with your PLATINUM LAUREL LEAF SPONSORSHIP. 10

11 Sponsorship Opportunities G o l d L a u r e l L e a f $5,000 DONATION BENEFITS: Sponsorship of 10 children to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA Company recognition in all promotional material and media coverage Medium logo signage on camp t-shirts Half page ad in Camp Yearbook Company recognition on Camp Laurel web page Recognition in quarterly e-newsletter and on all Camp Laurel social media platforms All donations are 100% tax deductible. DONATE ONLINE AT: 10 children will attend camp with your GOLD LAUREL LEAF SPONSORSHIP 11

12 Silver Laurel Leaf $2,500 DONATION BENEFITS: Sponsorship of 5 children to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA Company recognition in all promotional material and media coverage Small logo signage on camp t-shirts Quarter page ad in Camp Yearbook Company recognition on Camp Laurel web page Recognition in quarterly e-newsletter and on all Camp Laurel social media platforms All donations are 100% tax deductible. DONATE ONLINE AT: 7 Sponsorship Opportunities S i l v e r a n d B r o n z e L a u r e l L e a f DAYS AT CAMP CAN FOREVER CHANGE THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH HIV AND AIDS. Bronze Laurel Leaf $1,000 DONATION BENEFITS: Sponsorship of 2 children to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA Company recognition in all promotional material and media coverage Company name on camp t-shirts Company name in Camp Yearbook Company recognition on Camp Laurel web page Recognition in quarterly e-newsletter and on all Camp Laurel social media platforms All donations are 100% tax deductible. DONATE ONLINE AT: 12

13 Sponsorship Opportunities I n d i v i d u a l C a m p e r $500 DONATION BENEFITS: Sponsorship of one child to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA Name recognition in Camp Yearbook Name recognition on Camp Laurel donor list Recognition in quarterly e-newsletter All donations are 100% tax deductible. Donations of less than $500 will be combined to sponsor a child to attend CAMP LAUREL CANADA. Every dollar helps! Please support us in meeting our goal of 40 children and youth to camp this summer! DONATE DONATE ONLINE AT: 13

14 Volunteer Be a part of Camp Laurel Canada Volunteers are the backbone of Camp Laurel Canada. We are in need of volunteer camp counselors, medical staff, program facilitators, lifeguards, boating instructors and more. By being a part of Camp Laurel Canada you will be giving your time and energy to change lives. Volunteer Counselor Serving as a Camp Laurel counselor is a rewarding and challenging experience. Our volunteers feel a deep sense of satisfaction in the work they do, which motivates them to return to our camp programs every year; sometimes several times a year. As a counselor, the time and energy you give will pale in comparison to the personal growth and inspiration that you will gain. The camp experience is magical and promises memories that will last a lifetime. Program Facilitators Medical Volunteers Our medical volunteers are responsible for distributing medication and for the general health of campers and staff. In addition, we encourage our medical staff to really take advantage of the camp experience by participating in activities and getting to know these amazing children. Campfires, hiking, arts & crafts, and cabin skits are just a few of the activities you will enjoy while at camp. 12% Program facilitators run activities throughout the day. They 9% are in charge of specialty areas such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, drama, hiking, sports etc. They help to create programs that focus on the camps goals and objectives. 14

15 In-Kind Donations G i v e P r o d u c t S u p p o r t WISH LIST To produce an emotionally and physically safe camp environment for children and youth affected by HIV and AIDS we are in need of hundreds of in-kind product donations. Here is a short list of items we are in need of: Medical supplies Tents Sleeping bags Kids clothing 100 baseball caps to put camp logo on 100 camp tee-shirts 100 water bottles 100 journals Life jackets Arts and Craft supplies Sports equipment Board games Towels Compasses Duffle bags All colors of sharpie markers Small toys (for fun awards) 15 professional walkie talkies/batteries 50% OF DONATIONS NEEDED ARE IN-KIND. 15

16 CAMP LAUREL CANADA CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information contact: Margot Anderson Donate online at: Tel: