The ROCK-Camp High Five 

Mission

The ROCK, a non-profit organization was formed in March 2000 to create a traditional camping program for HIV affected youth. The purpose of The ROCK includes:

1. Development and administration of a free, recreational
1. camping program for children who are HIV infected, their
1. siblings and families

2. Provide an educational setting for children and families
1. affected by HIV in which children will learn to identify and
1. explore emotional issues commonly experienced.

The mission statement reads, to provide children whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS the opportunity to participate in a traditional camping program filled with fellowship, fresh air and fun.

Program Need

The development of a camping program for children living with HIV/AIDS is based on the evidence that HIV/AIDS greatly influences the psychosocial adjustment of children affected by the virus.

Many HIV affected families cannot afford to spend money on traditional childhood activities, such as summer camp. Faced with the problems of the illness itself, many caregivers feel too overwhelmed and distraught to provide anything more than basic support for their children. Many of these children are growing up in an atmosphere of fear and shame without ever experiencing the real joys of childhood. The ROCK established Camp HIGH FIVE in an attempt to meet some of these needs through a traditional camping program.

Camp High Five will strive to provide an atmosphere that is free from the worries, fear, stigma and hassles of living with HIV. Camp activities will be directed at helping children to increase their sense of mastery and competence, which is often weakened by living with a chronic illness. Children will have the opportunity to be around other children with the same life experiences and will not have to feel different or strange. Camp may be the first time that these children have been around other children living with HIV. By alleviating the hassles of a chronic illness and removing the stigma, Camp HIGH FIVE seeks to bring the fun back into the lives of children living with HIV. The first camping program was held August 2001, hosted 33 HIV affected children.