Camp Laurel - A Camp for Children Living with HIV and AIDS

In 1992, Margot Anderson realized there was an urgent need for programmed activities for children living with HIV and AIDS. Remembering her childhood summers spent at Camp Tanamakoon in Algonquin Park, Canada, Margot believed a free camp would be the ideal place to help children whose lives have been shattered by HIV and AIDS.

Camp Laurel became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in June 1992. The original mission of Camp Laurel was to teach children living with HIV and AIDS to believe in themselves and to understand that each one of them has the ability to make his or her life as full and rich as the next child’s regardless of their illness.

In the summer of 1994, 13 HIV positive children attended Camp Laurel’s inaugural Summer Camp. Through the hard work and dedication of its volunteer staff, Camp Laurel was a tremendous success. The response from parents, the medical community and the HIV/AIDS community was overwhelming and led to the expansion of Summer Camp in 1995 to 65 children, both infected and immediately affected by HIV and AIDS.

In 1995 Camp Laurel underwent tremendous growth. Camp Laurel became an accredited camp of the American Camp Association, which recognizes the strict health and safety standards to which Camp Laurel adheres. In addition, Camp Laurel started monthly inner-city day camps throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties. This allowed the children to reunite with their fellow campers and interact in their support groups formed at the resident camp.

In 1996 Camp Laurel held its first Winter Family Camp in the San Bernardino National Forest for 50 campers. The goals of the camp remained the same, but added an additional focus on the entire family. This new session was a tremendous success and became an important annual program. Also in 1996, Camp Laurel held its first Fall Camp. This new adventure camp welcomed 30 children at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Fall Camp incorporated the mission of Camp Laurel with the belief that children should experience as much of life as possible until a cure is found.

In 1997, through Camp Laurel’s annual programs, over 800 children were served.

In 1998 Camp Laurel added a Spring Camp program, which focused on problem solving and building self-esteem through the use of high and low ropes elements.

In 1999 and 2000 were growth years for Camp Laurel as we continued to increase the number of children we served through our camp programs.

In 2001, Camp Laurel developed Teen Adventure Camp, loosely based on MTV’s “Road Rules”, for teens 13-17. Each day, campers embark on exciting, surprise adventures that are both fun and educational. Past activities have included recording a music CD, Junior Firefighter training and surfing. The focus of Teen Adventure Camp is to give the teens new and exciting experiences. Teen Adventure Camp also has an added component of guidance and support for the teens where they have an opportunity to talk openly with social workers.

In 2003, Camp Laurel hosted its first Northern California Family Camp program. This program was developed to serve the overwhelming number of children living with HIV/AIDS in Northern California. While Camp Laurel can fly children down to Southern California to attend programs, parents and caregivers of the children stated in a focus group held by Camp Laurel that they did not want their children traveling on airplanes at such a young age to attend camp. This pilot program was open to 20 campers and was a huge success.

In 2007, Camp Laurel launched its new LEAF (Life Enhancement and Fellowship) Mentorship Program. LEAF is designed to help youth ages 15-24 living with HIV and AIDS build a successful life path through the support of a mentor.

In October 2007, Camp Laurel launched Baja Family Camp, our first international program, in Baja California, Mexico. The program is aimed at children and their families living with HIV and AIDS in Mexico.

Today, Camp Laurel continues to strive for ways to enhance the programs that have positively impacted the lives of so many children living with HIV and AIDS. Click here to learn how you can support Camp Laurel.