Minnesota Camp For HIV+ Kids Closes Down After 30 Years
Back in 1993, a summer camp was founded for kids who were HIV-positive. Founder Neil Willenson created the camp for kids who were HIV-positive and facing discrimination at school.
If you lived through the AIDS epidemic, you remember the stigma that came with the disease and the fear associated with it. Remember Ryan White? He was a 13-year-old kid who was diagnosed with AIDS which he contracted from a blood transfusion. He fought for the right to go to school. Yeah, it was a different time for sure.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that One Heartland, an 80-acre camp in Willow River, Minnesota, is for sale. It's sad for many people who attended the camp or families of the children who found the place.
Closing For A Good Reason
While it may seem sad that the camp is closing, it's bittersweet for many of those families. The reason the camp is for sale is because there aren't enough kids HIV positive who need it.
Medical advancements have brought down the perinatal transmission rate from mothers to their babies to less than 1%. This is due to the development of antiretroviral medications. Also, HIV infections for kids under 14 have dropped 38% in the last 10 years according to the article in The Minnesota Star Tribune.
The camp also has focused on being a safe place for kids who need it most. They have hosted many LGBTQ+ campers and events in recent years.
Story Receives National Attention
The Good News Network shares positive stories from across the country at a time when we need them the most. That's where I learned about One Heartland.
You can see the listing for the 80-acre camp up for sale. It's listed at over $3 million dollars.
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