16 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
FEATURE STORY
by Irene Alvarez
LOSING MY HEART TO THEM: A COUNSELOR’S STORY
There are only a few experiences that I
can unmistakably define as life-changing.
Camp Sunrise is one of them.
About four years ago, a friend mentioned
he had volunteered with Camp Sunrise. It
sounded interesting to me, like something
I could do, but I always seemed to have a
reason not to – whether I was moving,
changing jobs, getting married, moving
again… the list went on. I was a
marathon runner in the never-ending rat
race.
I decided I needed to get over myself. So
last year, in the midst of my hectic life, I
decided it was time to give back. I submit-
ted an application and was accepted as a
volunteer counselor for Camp Sunrise. I
took a week off of work, packed up my car
and headed to Oregonia, Ohio.
The truth is, the entire way there I was
overwhelmed with anxiety. I didn’t know
exactly what to expect. I wondered: Would I
get along with other counselors? Would I
meet the kids’ expectations? Would I com-
pletely suck at this? How would I feel
through the week? How would I feel after-
wards?
During counselor training, I was relieved
to have my first question answered. I
clicked immediately with my co-coun-
selors. Camp Sunrise counselors are truly
some of the most remarkable people I’ve
ever had the honor to meet. Throughout
the week, I was amazed by their uncondi-
tional love and compassion for these chil-
dren. I was also astounded by their
JUL 17 - JUL 23 2008
sacrifice.
Some of them give up a week’s worth of
pay to attend Camp Sunrise. Some of them
use a week of vacation time to spend with
the children of Camp Sunrise rather than
spending that time with their own fami-
lies. Some of them fork over hundreds of
dollars for airfare without a second
thought, flying in from different states.
Many of them have been counselors for
several years. All of them understand that
unless you’re a counselor, you can’t fully
understand why they do these things. More
on that later.
Around day 2 of the week, my fears that
I wouldn’t meet the kids’ expectations
were cast aside. The kids don’t ask for
much, and all they expect is what they
rightfully deserve – attention, care, re-
spect and positive reinforcement. Unfortu-
nately for some of them, these types of
things are in short supply at home. Some
kids are one of several children in a family.
Some kids are the siblings of an HIV-in-
fected child who requires the bulk of the
family’s care and attention. Some kids
have lost their parents to the disease, and
some kids fill the role of caregiver in the
home.
That all goes away at camp, because
the kids’ only responsibility is to have fun.
As a counselor, I was more than happy to
make that happen. That was all they really
expected of me. What I didn’t expect was
how readily and immediately I’d also give
my love. True and unconditional love, to
kids that were strangers just days before. I
also didn’t expect how readily the kids
would give it right back.
The answers to my last two questions
about how the camp experience would
make me feel are a little tougher to put my
finger on. I’m still figuring them out nearly
a year later, as I prepare to head into my
second year as a counselor.
During camp, I found myself feeling a
lot of different things during the week. I
remember feeling like a kid at times. How
could I not, particularly when fighting for
the ball during water polo or sharing my
beauty products with teenage campers. Or
the time when, during the night of a me-
teor shower, I had the privilege of seeing
amazement in one of my camper’s eyes
when she spotted a shooting star for the
first time in her life.
At other times, I felt sapped. Spending
24 hours a day for a week with a hundred-
plus kids will do that to a person. Some-
times I was trying to wake them for
breakfast while wishing I had a bull horn.
Other times I was trying to remember who
needed to report to the clinic to take meds.
And then there were times I was just trying
to figure out how to respond to a kid talk-
ing to me about some pretty heavy things.
I’ve been asked if the kids get along. Do
they argue once in a while? Sure. If my co-
counselors are reading, they’ll remember
the night we had a scuffle among our
campers at the dinner table. I’m still not
sure exactly what happened, but I know
there was a plate’s worth of spaghetti no
longer on a plate. Was my patience tested
at least once during the week? Of course it
was.
That said, I know I can’t adequately put
into words the amount of love and friend-
ship that exists among the children at
Camp Sunrise. It’s the type of environment
that can only exist among kids who share
an understanding of what it’s like to live
with HIV/AIDS. Kids who are wise beyond
their years, because they have to be. Kids
who understand the value a “normal”
childhood.
As a counselor, I quickly noticed the way
these children enjoy every moment they
have to connect, to play, to relax together. I
noticed the way they understand each
other and look out for one another. The way
they’d cheer each other on during activi-
ties and talent show performances. The
way they understood that they were in an
environment full of support and free from
stigma.
I felt overwhelmed and lucky to be a part
of something so unique.
There were moments that would fill my
heart while also breaking it, like the last
day of camp. Imagine buses lined up, kids
everywhere, counselors everywhere, con-
stant hugs and not a dry eye in the house.
Some kids cried because they were going
to miss their camp friends and counselors.
Some kids cried knowing this was the day
they had to go back to an unstable home.
continued on page 18
18 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
FEATURE STORY
by Valerie Belt
JOIN CAMP SUNRISE FOR A MARTINI JULY 26
On Saturday, July 26, Camp Sunrise will host
Moonlight and Martinis, A Summer Night to
Benefit Camp Sunrise at One Miranova Place.
Where will you be? Join us for an exciting
evening of sipping cocktails at the open bar
courtesy of Finlandia and Woodford Reserve.
Or, hang out and enjoy the jazz music with
friends. Dine on exquisite hors d’oeuvres from
top local restaurants like Basi Italia, Bon Vie,
Bluefish Grill, M, Union Café, Due Amici,
Melissa’s Incredible Edibles and more. Peruse
the valuables in the silent auction. All while
you are making a difference and raising aware-
ness for Camp Sunrise.
Why a Martini Night?
“In the past, we focused on several different
events throughout the year to fundraise like a
golf outing, a wine tasting, private parties,
those types of events.” stated Katie McKee, Ex-
ecutive Director for Camp Sunrise “but we
found that we spent so much time and money
to host multiple events that it wasn’t the most
productive or cost-effective way to direct our
fundraising efforts and financial resources.
We feel our time, resources and efforts will be
better spent by focusing on one signature event
each year and that’s how the idea for Moonlight
and Martinis was originally born.” The overall
goal is to have one signature event that will
raise enough funds to subsidize the cost of
camp and the other year-long programs.
“It’s amazing that we are able to operate on
such a tight budget considering the amount of
medical and camp staff that is necessary to
support the campers.” stated McKee, “We are
truly appreciative of the many people who dedi-
cate their personal time and experience to this
special group of kids.” Unlike many other non-
profit organizations, Camp Sunrise operates on
a shoestring budget with McKee as the only
JUL 17 - JUL 23 2008
paid staff member for the organization. The
focus is and always has been on supporting
the children and their families. With fewer and
fewer grants available and our current eco-
nomic situation, the need for corporate and in-
dividual sponsors is more critical than ever for
Camp Sunrise.
“We can do so much more for these children
and their families throughout the year if we
only had the financial resources to do so. So
many of our campers are now reaching high
school age and battling daily with the chal-
lenges and anxiety of normal teenagers, ampli-
fied by the fact that they are living with HIV or
have a brother, sister or parent fighting the
disease at home.” expressed McKee. “Seeing
these children in a safe environment where
they can hang out with friends, have fun and
forget about all of the weight on their shoul-
ders, even if it’s only for a week at camp, is
truly a blessing.”
How Can You Help? That’s Easy.
Help us continue to enrich the lives of
HIV/AIDS impacted children in Ohio. Join us for
Moonlight and Martinis on Saturday, July 26.
Invite your favorite circle of friends and make a
night of it. Become a valued corporate or indi-
vidual sponsor. Enjoy complimentary cocktails,
hors d’oeuvres from the best local restaurants
and peace of mind knowing your money is mak-
ing a difference in the life of a child. Don’t
miss out on this exclusive event! Tickets are
limited and going fast. To purchase tickets or
for more information, visit MoonlightandMarti-
nis.com. The website features more informa-
tion about the event, our generous sponsors
and a page where you can easily use your debit
or credit card to purchase tickets. We hope to
see you there!
CAMP SUNRISE continued from page 15
community designed to provide mental health
and related services for children and their
families.
Camp Sunrise’s mission is to empower
children and families infected with and af-
fected by HIV and AIDS and it’s still Ohio’s
only summer camp program catering specifi-
cally to the needs of children affected by
HIV/AIDS.
McKee, the Board, and other volunteers
work hard every year to fund as many kids’
attendance as possible, endeavoring to make
camp both memorable and empowering for
every attendee. Since the overwhelming ma-
jority of individuals living with HIV/AIDS are
also struggling with poverty, every child’s
costs are fully subsidized.
Funding covers the camp facility, the exec-
utive director, meals, insurance, supplies,
LOSING MY HEART continued from page 16
Counselors cried knowing we’d miss the
kids. And we wondered how our campers
would do in their own worlds for the next
year. Worlds they were used to, but worlds
far away from the love and safety of
Camp Sunrise.
I cried knowing I had been fundamen-
tally changed.
It’s difficult to describe why or how I
had changed, but a fellow counselor
stated it quite simply when he hugged
me and said, “Rini, you’ve been touched.
You now know it, and you understand it,
and it never leaves you.”
By “it,” I believe he meant the magic
CAMP SUNRISE: THE POWER TO HELP KIDS
Growing up is tough for a lot of people. If
you’re different from your peers, it can be worse.
If you are a child growing up with HIV/AIDS, there
are times that may seem unbearable. For those
children, what a difference a week makes.
Camp Sunrise is a nonprofit organization that
provides a week long summer camp each year for
children throughout Ohio who are grieving, cop-
ing or managing a life directly impacted by
HIV/AIDS. The week at camp gives the children a
place to have fun, build friendships and simply
be a kid again in a safe environment, free from
the isolation and judgment so often associated
with HIV/AIDS.
Over 20% of the kids who attend camp are
HIV positive and over 70% have brothers, sisters
and/or parents who are living with or have been
lost to this devastating disease. For 51 weeks a
year, the Sunrise Kids face very adult problems.
For one week a year, they can leave it all behind.
In addition to summer camp, Camp Sunrise
also provides year-round activities to give the
children further opportunities to meet new
friends, catch up with old friends and talk about
the pressures and challenges they are currently
facing with people who truly understand what
they are going through.
During Camp, kids age 15-17 are given the
opportunity to become a part of the “Sundog Pro-
gram.” The goal of this important program is to
develop confidence, self-esteem and coping
skills for older campers who would like more
leadership and responsibility. The participants
spend the week learning about their peers and
themselves. The teens have a weekend retreat
and transportation. Program services are co-
ordinated by one full-time staff person and
over 70 dedicated volunteers. Camp depends
on many sources for funding, including foun-
dation and corporate sponsorships, children’s
charities, civic/service organizations, and the
generous donations of individuals and small
businesses.
The GLBT community in Ohio has long been
an important ally and advocate for Camp
Sunrise. That kindness and support is greatly
appreciated and critical to the continued suc-
cess of the program. Our sincere thanks to
Outlook Weekly for the space to tell our story -
one that’s been 14 years in the making, and
hopefully far from over.
To learn more or to contribute to this ex-
ceptional cause, visit sunrisekids.org.
and the miracle that is Camp Sunrise.
One week in southwest Ohio where pain
gives way to peace, fear gives way to fun,
and strife gives way to friendship.
Kids get to be kids, and counselors lose
their hearts to them.
Alvarez is preparing to serve as a Camp
Sunrise counselor for her second year this
August. Throughout the year, she is an active
member of the Camp Sunrise fundraising
committee and can’t help but ask you to con-
sider giving to a cause she finds to be like no
other. Contact her at RiniAlvarez@yahoo.com
or visit www.SunriseKids.org.
prior to camp to help develop a stronger bond be-
fore working and playing together at camp. The
Sundogs are respected leaders during the week
of Camp. The respect they earn and their re-
newed confidence is something they take with
them when they leave.
For many of the kids, the one week at Camp is
what helps them to cope with the 51 other weeks
of the year. They come home from camp ener-
gized and more empowered and confident to talk
about their own HIV status or to face the chal-
lenges of day-to-day life. One by one, the kids of
all ages who attend Camp Sunrise are doing
their part to educate people and decrease the
negative stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS. They
are the faces and voices that help to humanize
this devastating disease.
The GLBT community in Ohio has long been an
important ally and advocate for Camp Sunrise.
And that kindness and support is greatly appre-
ciated and critical to the success of the program.
Summer camp and the year-round programs are
provided free of charge because of generous indi-
vidual sponsors, corporate sponsors and gra-
cious volunteers.
To learn more or to contribute to this excep-
tional cause, please visit sunrisekids.org. Or join
us for Moonlight and Martinis, A Summer Night
to Benefit Camp Sunrise on Saturday, July 26 at
Miranova. You’ll enjoy an open bar courtesy of
Finlandia Vodka and Woodford Reserve, exquisite
hors d’oeuvres from top local restaurants and
great music. For more information visit
www.MoonlightandMartinis.com.