Youth involvement with other PLWHA in your area?

[Sheri]

Good morning ladies,

How are you?  From reading the threads, I know that some of you have children and grandchildren, so I was hoping perhaps you'd be willing to share if you've had any opportunities to semi-regularly connect your children socially with other HIV-affected kids, either locally or nationally.  It doesn't necessarily have to be anything formal.  In my city, there are some successful programs for positive teens as well as for affected teens, and there is also a childcare program for babies and toddlers of positive mothers, but not a whole lot for the kids in between (elementary/and early middle school aged).  My daughter does attend camps for HIV affected kids, and when there are local events for the poz community that are open to children (such events don't happen often, though), I bring her also.  But for all practical purposes, she knows very few other kids infected or affected by HIV (as the camps are only held annually, and she doesn't see those kids throughout the year).  I am going to probably make a more concentrated attempt to volunteer at one of the local HOPWA residences (did so in the past, but infrequently...not enough to make any connections), but does anyone have any other suggestions?  Thanks.

[minismom]

Mim is nearly 9 and has never connected with other poz kids.  There's nothing in our state for poz kids / teens / young adults - not even sure there's much for adults.  She's connected with lots of poz adults through AMG, but none of them are from our state. We've been fortunate that she has lots of friends who know her status and don't care.

Mum

[Sheri]

Have you considered any of the camps?  (And if you already know of them, please disregard the rest of my statement.)  Many of them accept the negative siblings as well, and as they are non-profit, usually don't charge any fees.  There are lots of regional camps that are reserved for children in a certain geographical area, and then there is a national one (One Heartland) with more than one location that accepts children from any US state.  Their website is www.oneheartland.org.  There is also at least one camp in Canada and some in eastern Europe as well as subsaharan Africa.  (In fact, there are probably more worldwide, I'm just not in the know.) 

There are also a few programs for the entire family.  One of which is through REACH ministries near Seattle, WA, which hosts family campouts every Labor Day weekend.  I learned about it from my online hiv adoption group.  I personally haven't gone, but have heard that it is a good program.  However, though open to all, I've been told that there is a noticeable Christian slant to some of the programs (i.e. the campfire songs).  That isn't an issue for me, but I can imagine that for families of a different faith background (or none), it may not be a good match.  Their website is:   http://www.reachministries.org/programs.php

Here is a list of some HIV camps, although it's not a current list and at least one if not more of these camps is no longer in existence:  http://www.thebody.com/index/treat/camps.html

Are the AMG gatherings stand-alone gatherings, or are they piggy-backed onto any other HIV conferences or workshops?  Is there a fee to attend (registration, etc)?  Is there a group discount rate for lodging?

[minismom]

AMG stands for "AidsMeds Gathering" and is for members of this forum and their families / friends / partners / spouses / ect.  There's not a fee, persay, but there are costs involved for lodging, the Meet and Greet, and various tours that are scheduled.  AMG this year begins Aug. 6th, so if you want to attend, I suggest you contact Dennis via PM.  If you want more information, you can click on "AM Gatherings" in the menu on the left.  There are several topics there associated with this year's gathering.

Mum