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Eva
Payne |
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Eva Payne
31 - Lincoln, NE
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Overnight camp is a summertime rite of passage for many kids, and Eva Payne wanted to ensure that it was an option for children with illnesses. She founded Camp Kindle (CK) to allow young people impacted by HIV and AIDS to attend a free summer camp focused on their needs.
In summer of 1999, with the help of 25 volunteer staffers, Camp Kindle held its first camp session, serving 50 young campers for one week. The session's goal was to offer an accepting and medically sound environment for children to feel safe and have fun doing all the typical camp stuff - arts and crafts, fishing, boat rides, etc. CK kids also are exposed to health education, character and leadership-building experiences.
Eva has worked to stretch the camp experience beyond the summer, recently developing a speakers' bureau called Sharing Personal Experiences and Knowledge: Our Unique Truths (SPEAK OUT) to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS through real life stories from Camp Kindle participants. With the help of supportive staff and an audience, SPEAK OUT also gives campers special opportunities to build self-esteem. Additionally, Eva created a scholarship fund to assist HIV and AIDS-impacted youth with their post-high school education.
Today, Camp Kindle touches the lives of over 15,000 children, young adults, and families annually. Many former campers return to the CK family as counselors. Less than a decade after its creation, Camp Kindle now provides a wide range of programming, including two week-long annual summer camp programs, semi-annual mini camping sessions, holiday and birthday recognition for campers, HIV/AIDS awareness/education, and mentorship.
That's why Eva is a 2007
Woman Of Worth. |
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"Camp Kindle is their home away from home."
Hear Eva discuss her work
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EVA'S DIARY
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ORGANIZATION
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