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Welcome

Our Summer 2010 Newsletter Is Available

Click Here to download the .pdf of the Summer Newsletter.


KDR Charity Golf Tournament Results

The event was a huge success thanks to Seth Birch, our sponsors and the participants of the 3rd Annual KDR Charity Golf Tournament. The events raised $4,339.00 in support of our programs, which is a record amount for the event! Click Here for all the results...


Verizon Teams with Camp Dreamcatcher

Camp Dreamcatcher will receive a donation from Verizon when you order a new qualifying residential Verizon product. Click Here for all the details...


Big Changes at Camp Dreamcatcher

Camp Dreamcatcher is thrilled to announce that its 15th summer camp session will be held at The Westtown School, August 15th – 21st, 2010. More...


Camp Dreamcatcher in the News:

The Strongest Prescription of All: A Week in the Woods, American Journal of Public Health


Bow Undergoes Successful Surgery

As many of you know, our Thai friend Bow, who so charmed us at Camp Dreamcatcher the last two summers with her exuberance and optimism, was offered a chance to come to the U.S. for reconstructive facial surgery. We are continuing to try to raise $40,000 to cover her medical expenses. Bow has faced her difficulties with courage and grace; please help make a dream come true for this amazing girl.


Tiny Tears

Now available on DVD - Click Here to Purchase

The film "Tiny Tears" is being shown at numerous venues in the Philadelphia area. It premiered at the United Nations last March and then was screened at The Cannes Film Festival. Robert Corna, the director, spent the summer of 2007 visiting orphanages in Thailand, Uganda and Brazil, before making his way to Camp Dreamcatcher. We are very proud to be part of this important project, which includes a 90-minute film and a four part mini-series, one on each country Robert visited. In early 2008, Robert and Patty invited one child and one caregiver from Thailand, Uganda and Brazil to the camp session. The generosity of the local community enabled the "international campers" to join us for the session.  Robert was with us once again this past August, filming the sequel and following the journey of each "international camper." 

Click Here to view a trailer of Tiny Tears

Click Here to Purchase Tiny Tears on DVD

Watch "Tiny Tears" on cable Video on Demand

"Tiny Tears" will be available on cable Video On Demand May 1st - August 1st 2010, on the following cable companies:

 

AT&T
Charter
VerizonFiOS
Rogers(Canada)
Mediacom
Insight
Suddenlink
RCN
Cogeco (Canada)
DISH (VOD)
Buckeye
Armstorng
Bend Broadband
Blue Ridge
Cameron Communications
Cincinnati Bell
CL TelClick
Community Television
Consolidated Communications
D&E Communications
Duo County
EPB of Chattanooga
Frontgate Networks
Grande Communications
Guadalupe Valley
Hotwire
HTC Conway
INS Des Moines
MUS Fiber Net
NTELOS
NuLink
OneSource
San Bruno Municipal Cable
Service Electric
Volcano Vision
VTMS
Wave
Wilkes-Barre
Wilson

Our Mission

Over fourteen years ago, a committee of concerned men and women came together to develop what is now known as Camp Dreamcatcher.  The mission of Camp Dreamcatcher is:

  • To provide safe, supportive, therapeutic and educational services to HIV/AIDS infected/affected children and their families.
  • To foster an atmosphere of tolerance, compassion, respect and understanding through volunteer opportunities, services and expanded community outreach.

Camp Dreamcatcher offers the children a safe, supportive and nurturing place to express their feelings of fear, sadness and anger, with adults who understand, and with children who may share their burdens.  The largest program offered by Camp Dreamcatcher is a one-week therapeutic and educational camp held on the grounds of a camp in southern Chester County.

Through the years Camp Dreamcatcher has also developed special programs that have become a vital part of its ongoing support of the children and their families. These programs include:

  • Camper Support Groups
  •  HIV/AIDS Education, Training and Community Outreach
  • a Teen Life Skills Retreat
  • a Teen Leadership Retreat
  • Camper/counselor Reunion Parties
  • Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program
  • Family support and advocacy
  • a Teen Speaker's Bureau

Camp Week 2009!

We welcomed 141 campers, ages 5-17, to an action packed week of camp, which was held on the grounds of Camp Saginaw in southern Chester County.  The campers enjoyed swimming, basketball, boating, miniature golfing, concerts (thank you John Flynn), an adventure challenge course, go-cart racing, arts/crafts, a hip-hop dance show, Native American storytelling, horseback riding (Thank you Dansko Shoes and volunteers), a camp wide carnival (Thank you Moon Bounce Adventures), cooking classes, visits from "therapeutic dogs" (Thank you Canine Partners for Life) and our annual talent show and dance.  In addition, the kids and counselors participated in therapeutic groups including music therapy, movement therapy, guided imagery, yoga and massage.  The teen program included educational groups on addiction, HIV/AIDS, relationships,depression, HIV medication adherence, body image, abuse and family violence. The 11-13 year-old campers attended a puberty education program which, include discussions on relationships, body changes, body image and peer pressure. 

Sixteen year-old campers participated as either Counselors in Training or Leaders in Training and graduates of our Counselor in Training program joined us as Junior Counselors for the camp session.  It has been a pleasure for us to watch the children grow up in the "Camp Dreamatcher" family and now move into leadership roles at camp and within their own communities.

We also welcomed international campers from Thailand, Uganda and Brazil to camp. The children are featured, along with Camp Dreamcatcher, in the documentary film, "Tiny Tears". 

Over 300 counselors, medical personnel, professionals and community members volunteered over 13,500 hours of service to make the week an unforgettable one for everyone involved.  My deepest appreciation goes out to all of  these wonderful folks!! If you would like to be part of this life changing experience, our 2010 applications are now available by clicking on the Forms section of this website.


Penn State Lends a Hand

In other news, Dreamcatcher partnered once again with the Social Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership students at Penn State Great Valley.  The Camp Dreamcatcher team conducted a feasibility study to explore the need for building a "community camp", which will be winterized and handicapped accessible.  The site will be used by Camp Dreamcatcher and will also be offered to non-profit organizations serving children with special needs.  In 2008, the PSU Great Valley students developed a business plan for us and the feasibility study will identify the community need for this project.  Thank you Dr. Barrie Litzky, Cyndy Walton and the PSU Great Valley students for giving us this wonderful opportunity.


Click Here to download the Camp Dreamcatcher brochure (.pdf format)

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