Hollywood Heart Reaches 15-Year Mark With Camp For Children, Teens Infected & Affected By HIV/AIDS

Aug. 6, 2009 - PRLog -- (BURBANK, CA) Hollywood HEART, a non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors for at-risk children and teens in the Southern California area and selected locations in the United States and around the world, announces that its 15th Annual Camp Pacific Heartland session (for ages 7-15) will be held August 11-16, 2009 and its 2nd Annual Camp Hollywood HEART session (for ages 15-20) will occur on August 18-23, 2009 at Camp Hilltop, located in Northern Malibu, CA.  The camps serve as outlets for youth infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Both camps are run in partnership with One Heartland, a nonprofit based in the Midwest whose mission is to improve the lives of children, youth and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS and other significant life challenges worldwide.

David Gale, Executive Vice President of MTV New Media and Specialty Films Division and President of the Board of Hollywood HEART, said that in 1995, he gathered a committed group of volunteers to form Camp Pacific Heartland as a response to the growing pediatric AIDS crisis.

“When we began the camp,” noted Gale, “AIDS was very much a death sentence. We were dealing with children fearing and facing their deaths, and camp was something to take their mind off it. Now, it's more uncommon to lose someone to AIDS, there is an atmosphere of hope around camp. We say we never know when the end will come, but it doesn't have to be from AIDS”. Gale also says that the camp “provides a sense of normality for kids living a very challenging life. It's a safe place, physically and emotionally. It's also often a place for the kids to open up about dealing with their disease; they feel they have an outlet to express themselves among our compassionate, loving staff”.

Camp Pacific Heartland will offer five full days of activities to an expected 110 kids. Some special events during the week include a fun-filled Carnival Night and high-energy MTV Dance Party.

While Camp Pacific Heartland was the spark that started the whole adventure, Camp Hollywood HEART was founded in order to continue to serve the population of youth
impacted by HIV/AIDS, since programming for this group usually stops at 18. “I first envisioned Camp Hollywood HEART as a natural amalgamation of our two existing programs – Camp Hollywood HEART and The Movie Team. Camp Hollywood HEART gives teens impacted by HIV/AIDS an exciting opportunity to explore their creativity, feel empowered by their imaginations and dream about their futures. At the same time, we get a chance to tap into the generosity and talents of the Los Angeles arts and entertainment community,” says Lisa Cavanaugh, Executive Director of Hollywood HEART. And, as Gale adds, “our arts program actually gives them a skill set and accomplishments that allow them to move forward with their lives”. 50 campers are expected at Camp Hollywood HEART this year. Six disciplines are offered: Acting, Dance, Movie-Production, Music, Writing and Visual Arts. The week culminates with a red-carpet Celebration of the Arts Gala, where the kids get to showcase their work and honor the hard work of their peers.

Many celebrities have visited both camps over the years. Most recently, L’il Mama, Wilmer Valderrama, Gabrielle Anwar, Lance Bass, Sharon Osbourne, Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child), Katie and Twitch from YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Hill Harper and Stacy Dash have helped to lend a hand. In addition to celebrity visitors, the camp also attracts high-profile professionals from the entertainment industry who donate their time and talents.

The camps have truly evolved from "inspiration and a respite” to a place of Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork, which is what Hollywood HEART is all about.


About Hollywood HEART.  Hollywood HEART is a non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors for at-risk children and teens in the Southern California area and selected locations in the United States and around the world. Since 1995, Hollywood HEART has provided Hope, Education, Arts, Recreation and Teamwork through three unique programs: CAMP PACIFIC HEARTLAND – a traditional summer camp for kids impacted by HIV/AIDS; THE MOVIE TEAM  - a filmmaking workshop for at-risk kids; and CAMP HOLLYWOOD HEART – an arts camp for youth ages 16 – 20 who are infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.hollywoodheart.org.