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Countries/States Served:
CT, NJ, NY
People Utilized or Employed:
General Preventive Medicine, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Nursing
Types of Students Allowed:
Medical Students, Premedical Students, Dental Students, Predental Students, Nursing Students, Prenursing Students, Pharmacy Students, Prepharmacy Students, Veterinary Students, Preveterinary Students, Optometry Students, Preoptometry Students |
Program Length:
Short Term (Less than 1 month) and Long Term (Greater than 1 month)
Language Skills:
Religious Affiliations:
University Affiliations:
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Mission Statement: (See Web Site For Updated Information)
Mission
The mission of Camp AmeriKids is to enhance the lives of children affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS in a traditional camp experience, complemented by off-season programs. The camp is offered at no cost to the families and recruits campers from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The goals of the program are to provide respite to the children and their families, while providing the campers with the opportunity to socialize in a learning environment while exploring new interests. This will allow for the development of new academic and life skills, and enhance the self-esteem of children and adolescents.
The LIT Program
In 2005, Camp Amerikids re-introduced its Leader in Training (LIT) Program. The LIT Program's mission is to serve former campers, ages 16-17 who are interested in maintaining their connection to Camp AmeriKids with a goal to become camp staff. Each year, six LIT participants are recruited to work on life skills development including leadership training, teambuilding, and conflict resolution. LIT partisans take part in four annual weekend and day retreats, and work at camp for one session as junior counselors.
Focus and Objectives
Camp AmeriKids is dedicated to having an impact of the lives of children living with HIV/AIDS, and believes that children, despite their economic, social or medical difficulties should have the opportunity to experience the carefree summer time joys of childhood.
Although the main objective is discovery, our primary focus is on safety. Camp AmeriKids interviews each child with his or her family and coordinating agency. Each camper?s physical and emotional health is taken into consideration to ensure that daily activities do not exceed his or her capabilities. Camp AmeriKids draws its camper population from several hospitals and social service agencies throughout the tri-state area.
Stress on Wellness
Through our partnership with Columbia University, Camp AmeriKids is able to provide sophisticated and unobtrusive medical care within the camp environment. The Camp AmeriKids infirmary is staffed by one doctor and more than ten nurses, nurse practitioners and student nurse practitioners who reside on the grounds while camp is in session. Each camper?s medical history is evaluated prior to his or her arrival, ensuring that his or her medications are administered on schedule and that all necessary medical precautions are taken care of during the session. Each nurse, nurse practitioner, or student nurse practitioner is assigned a caseload of 10-16 children, of whom 8-10 receive medications two to three times a day.
In response to the growing psycho-social needs of campers, a Wellness Program was created. The Wellness Program, comprised of a wellness director, a licensed social worker, and four child-life specialists, work to ensure the mental health of camers and staff during their time at camp.. At camp, children experience a variety of new things, from being in a new environment, experiencing group living in a cabin setting, and being away from home for eight days. With these new experiences comes anxiety and, at times, uncertainty. Our Wellness Team works to respond to the psycho-social needs of all individuals at camp.
Facilities
Over 200 children attend Camp AmeriKids each summer during two eight-day sessions at a campsite in Carmel, NY. In an effort to maintain low overhead, Camp AmeriKids partners with the ClearpoolEducation Center to rent their facility annually. For eight wonderful days, these campers are able to put aside their health or family concerns and focus on having fun and just being kids.
Activities
Each unforgettable day of camp allows the children to participate in a number of activities that include Arts and Crafts, Woodshop, Sports, Swimming, African Drums, Drama, Low Ropes, Nature, and Dance. On special theme days such as Carnival Day, campers are able to enjoy a generous helping of cotton candy or maybe a chance to get their favorite counselor in the dunking booth!! Our evening activities include the Camp Luau, Wildlife Show, and the ever-popular "AmeriKids are Stars" Talent Show.
Partnerships
In 2004, Camp AmeriKids developed an advisory board, composed of dedicated volunteers, as well as industry experts and professionals. This voluntary board works to constantly challenge the program to evolve and continuie to meet the needs of campers and staff alike. Camp AmeriKids has also developed community partnerships with numerous scout troops of southwestern Connecticut and Project Linus to assist in providing campers with the basic essentials for their time at camp.
Volunteers and Donations
Each summer, Camp AmeriKids recruits over 100 volunteers to serve as camp counselors, wellness and medical staff. It is the generosity of these individuals that help to proivde the experience of a lifetime to our campers.
In the spirit of the AmeriCares reputation for cost-effectiveness and efficiency, it is the objective of Camp AmeriKids to secure in-kind donations and services whenever possible. The Camp AmeriKids Administration continually seeks to secure free entertainment, donations of supplies, equipment, as well as volunteer counselors and staff. For more information, view How Can I Help.
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