HIV/AIDS LONG-TERM SURVIVOR * YOUTH EDUCATION * ADVOCACY * ACTIVISM * RESOURCES
Houston, Texas - United States
camp heartland - one heartland - Minnesota - california
Neil willenson and bob bowers
Inspired by seven-year-old Nile Sandeen, an HIV-positive youth from Mequon, Wisc., Neil Willenson founded Camp Heartland in 1993. At the time, it focused on giving kids affected by HIV/AIDS the best week of their lives—and it did just that at various camp sites throughout the Midwest.
In 1996, the organization purchased its facility in Willow River, Minn., giving Camp Heartland its permanent home, thanks to a donation from Minnesota Twins Manager Paul Molitor. The location featured a main lodge, cabins, three lakes and miles of walking trails. Most of all, it became a beacon of hope for children across the country battling illness and discrimination.
That same year, the organization went through its first program expansion, opening Camp Hollywood HEART in Malibu, Calif., enabling it to serve even more deserving children. By 2005, Camp Heartland had provided over 5,300 camp experiences to young people, expanded its permanent facility to include multiple shower houses and a baseball field, and created OneFutures, a mentorship program for young adults affected by HIV/AIDS who had become too old to participate in the traditional camp program.
The Camp Heartland mission was changing, too. Although HIV/AIDS remained a life-threatening illness, advances in medical treatment meant that more people were living longer with HIV/AIDS. Recognizing this change in needs, Camp Heartland began more year-round support programs for campers. This expansion necessitated a name change. In 2006, Camp Heartland became One Heartland, heralding other changes, as One Heartland began to partner with outside organizations to host their programs at the Willow River facility.
We developed new programs for youth facing other significant life challenges, such as living in transitional housing (Camp Northstar), reforming relationships with food (Camp 5210) and identifying as LGBTQIA+ (Camp True Colors). But the core mission remained: a care-free week at camp for deserving kids.
In 2011, Neil stepped down as Executive Director, passing the torch to then National Camp Director, Patrick Kindler. Under Patrick’s leadership, One Heartland has continued to grow its programs and expand the services it provides its youth populations, thanks in large part to the generosity of donors and volunteers from around the world. Their support of One Heartland’s mission will allow us to continue providing camps and support programs for many years to come.
camp heartland - Malibu, california
For over 42 years living with the virus, I’ve stayed committed
camp heartland - willow river, minnesota
it’s about survival.
a journey of hope
Inspiring Stories of Courage and Unconditional Love
From the Author
I sometimes wonder where I would be and what I would be doing had I not read a newspaper headline about five-year-old Nile Sandeen. Nile was the first child I ever met with HIV and the boy who inspired the founding of Camp Heartland.
Without Camp Heartland I would have certainly missed the pain and devastation of losing dozens of children, eulogizing a child who I loved like a brother, and experiencing moments of absolute sorrow when I knew there was nothing I could do to ease a childs pain.
Yes, I could have missed the pain, but I also would have missed the moments of great inspiration and joy, the moments when I knew Camp Heartland was making a tangible difference, the moments I gave love and received even more, the moments that were so perfect I wish they were frozen in time.
"A Journey of Hope" provides you the opportunity to become familiar with the hopes, dreams and struggles experienced by children with AIDS and their families. I ask you to take your time with each page so you can truly absorb the substance of the childrens stories, poems, and photographs. As it has for me, I guarantee "meeting" these kids will profoundly change and inspire you.
~ Neil Willenson
Heartfelt thanks, Neil Willenson!
A Journey of Hope is a collection photographs, stories, poems and reflections by and about the children of Camp Heartland.
Camp Hollywood HEART Partner david gale
Thank you, David!
From a young age, David Gale has spent much of his free time doing community service work. In 1994, when the AIDS epidemic had become one of the most serious crisis in the world, David wanted to do something to help those affected by the disease, especially children and youth. Remembering his own life-changing camp experience as a child, David thought that starting a camp for children affected by AIDS might be a way he could make a difference. But rather than start from scratch, he did some research and came across Camp Heartland, which One Heartland’s founder Neil Willenson was operating in New Jersey at the time. Neil saw the opportunity to expand the camping program to California and he and David came up with the idea for Camp Pacific Heartland, a summer camp experience in the Malibu Hills. That partnership lasts to this day. Eventually Camp Pacific Heartland changed its name to Hollywood HEART to represent its expanded activities in Southern California serving at-risk youth and the Malibu camp is now called Camp Hollywood Heart and has an arts based curriculum for youth 15-20 years old.
Arts are central to the Camp Hollywood HEART experience. Offerings include film making, acting, writing, music, culinary arts, fashion design, and dance. David says, “The arts give you a way to express yourself… it’s not only fun and interesting and provides lifelong skills, it is an outlet for expression that all the kids need to feel empowered and confident.” The first time campers arrive at Camp Hollywood Heart, they are often burdened with low confidence and little sense of themselves as an artist. After six days, they’ve done more with their chosen art form than they ever thought possible. After all the transformations he’s seen, David knows this: “Camp is a spiritual, physical, and emotional journey. For someone struggling with an illness or problems at home, it’s a life-changing experience.”
David Gale and Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland - Malibu, California
camp heartland - one heartland - malibu - california
Jake Glaser - bob bowers - joel goldman - long-term hiv/aids survivors & advocates
Since 1993, One Heartland has been creating life-changing camp experiences for youth facing social isolation, intolerance or serious health challenges. Our camps provide a welcoming, bully-free environment where children, youth and young adults can feel completely accepted for who they are—often for the first time in their lives.
Working out & Staying fit with HIV/AIDs
I was dedicated to fitness long before I ever heard the words HIV or AIDS—and I’ve continued to train, move, and fight for my health every step of the way since. For over 42 years living with the virus, I’ve stayed committed to exercising as much as my body and spirit would allow. Some days were harder than others—but movement has always been part of my medicine, my therapy, and my survival. Fitness didn’t just shape my body—it helped save my life.
Exercise and hiv/aids
Functional fitness isn’t about beach muscles—it’s about survival.
Living with HIV for 42 years, I train to move, to lift, to balance, to live fully. From tying my boots to throwing a leg over my motorcycle, this body’s been through hell—but movement keeps it sharp, steady, and strong.
This is fitness with purpose. This is how I fight.
end the stigma!
What is HIV stigma?
HIV stigma is negative attitudes and beliefs about people with HIV. It is the prejudice that comes with labeling an individual as part of a group that is believed to be socially unacceptable.
You might be wondering how you can address an issue as complex as HIV stigma. But there are many small things you can do that will make a big difference.
If each of us commits to making positive changes in our families and communities, we can help end HIV stigma and work to stop HIV together.
Friends of camp heartland/hollywood heart in malibu, califor
Bob bowers and danica patrick
kimberley locke and bob bowers
Bob bowers and danica patrick
As a racecar driver, Danica Patrick broke barriers and set records with her on-track performance. With her racing career behind her, Danica looks to her next chapter as she focuses on her passions: good food, great wine, fitness and helping others achieve their goals.
bobby rahal and bob bowers
kimberley locke and bob bowers
Bob bowers and danica patrick
Auto racing great Bobby Rahal and his fiancee Johanna Maher visited Camp Heartland in Malibu, California, a summer camp serving children impacted by HIV/AIDS
kimberley locke and bob bowers
kimberley locke and bob bowers
kimberley locke and bob bowers
Kimberley Locke has been active in many charities, particularly in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Locke's first exposure to working with children living with HIV/AIDS was through her work with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which sent her on an 11-day trip through Africa. She then went on to work with ot
Kimberley Locke has been active in many charities, particularly in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Locke's first exposure to working with children living with HIV/AIDS was through her work with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which sent her on an 11-day trip through Africa. She then went on to work with other organizations such as YouthAIDS, the Davy Foundation, and Camp Heartland. In recognition of her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist, Locke was presented with the Red Ribbon award on November 9, 2007
