Programs

Camp Kindle: Camp Kindle was established in August of 1998. The organizations Founder and President, Eva Payne, has been an advocate for people impacted by HIV and AIDS since the mid-nineties and has an extensive background in youth camping programs. As a 21-year-old college student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Eva realized that each year hundreds of young people impacted by HIV and AIDS, were not having the opportunity to attend a summer camping program which focused on their particular needs. She had a dream to start a summer camp, which would offer children living with HIV and AIDS the chance to be accepted, find hope and friendship, along with developing their knowledge of wellness and personal strengths. The demand for this therapeutic and recreational intervention, coupled with her experience provided the foundation for Camp Kindle. Mandy Nickolite, 22 at the time, came on board as the Vice President and Camp Director in January of 1999. She brought with her a strong background in mental health. At the time, she was working on her Masters in Counseling at Doane University in Nebraska. In July of 1999, with the help of 30 professional volunteer staff members, Camp Kindle held its first camp session in Hordville, Nebraska serving 50 campers. Today, Camp Kindle has served over 1000 children.

Camp Kindle also hosts mini camp sessions throughout the year and all campers receive year-round support.

*FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CAMP KINDLE, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE AT www.campkindle.org

SPEAK OUT: SPEAK OUT (Sharing Personal Experiences and Knowledge) is Project Kindle's peer-to-peer speakers bureau. Campers from the Camp Kindle program participate in specific training and workshops to become peer educators. SPEAK OUT then partners with schools across the country to help educate their students about what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS, how to make healthy choices to protect themselves and others, while at the same time, combating the stigma often associated with HIV/AIDS. Today SPEAK OUT has impacted thousands of students across the nation, increasing their knowledge and understanding and increasing their compassion towards those living with HIV/AIDS.

I Know:I Know: The "I Know!" initiative utilizes the personal stories, writings and artwork of Project Kindle participants: children, adolescents, and families that are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, to educate others. The goal of "I Know!" is to offer HIV/AIDS educational materials that allow young people the opportunity to teach their peers what is like to have HIV/AIDS in your life everyday. These materials include a 64 page book and accompanying DVD and are free to schools and health teachers.

Student Affected by AIDS Scholarship Fund: The Student Affected by AIDS Scholarship Fund is one of the only scholarships made available specifically to student either infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Each year awards are made in late August. The funds awarded must be used towards continued education (books/tuition).

Life Skills Retreat : As Camp Kindle campers began to "phase out" of our camping program, we saw a need to keep them connected, while offering resources to help them transition into adulthood. From this need, the Life Skills Retreat was formed. Each year we host an extended weekend retreat on a college campus for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS between the ages of 16 to 21. The retreat focuses on developing the much needed life skills these young people often do not get taught in school or even at home. In addition to the many workshops, the retreat features professionals from various fields, who either share their success stories and/or life lessons learned. Other classes/workshops could include: financial management, applying for college, choosing a career, stress management, communication skills, securing medical care after you're 18, and/or volunteerism.