Anyone who has ever visited one of Camp Dreamcatcher’s camp weeks knows to expect the unexpected.

Last Thursday afternoon was sunny and muggy—a typical late-August day that is meant for children to be outside playing.

And the sprawling grounds at Camp Saginaw in Oxford certainly offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun—there are go-karts, a basketball court, a zip-line, and a pool, to name just a few of them.

But the camp, despite the presence of hundreds of energetic people, had fallen oddly silent in the middle of the afternoon. Instead of being outside enjoying those aforementioned activities, more than two dozen youngsters were gathered into the camp’s health center to receive an eye exam. The kids were excited—bouncing-off-the-walls excited—as they waited for Dr. Michael Miller to administer the eye exams.

You wouldn’t expect children at a summer camp to get an eye exam, but Camp Dreamcatcher is no ordinary camp. For the last 24 years, the Kennett Square-based organization has been a positive force in the lives of youngsters who have been impacted by HIV or AIDS through a variety of year-round therapeutic and educational programs.

Read more:
Making a Difference in Children's Lives

Adopt-A-Family Program

Nearly all of the families we serve are low-income, leaving many of our parents and caregivers unable to provide their children with Holiday Gifts. You can help by filling the “wish list” of one of our families.

Adopt-A-Family Program Details
Adopt-A-Family Sign Up Form

Full-Time Counselors

Requirements include attending HIV/AIDS & Diversity Training in Kennett Square in June and for two days in August at Camp Saginaw. Full-time counselors live in cabins with the campers and attend all programs.

Part-Time Counselors

You tell us when you are available! It can be a couple of days, every evening, one day, etc. Requirements include attending HIV/AIDS & Diversity training in Kennett Square in June and for two days in August at Camp Saginaw. You will be assigned to one specific cabin for the time that you are at camp.

Professional Volunteers

You can volunteer to help with our programming for the week.

• Massage Therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Yoga Instructors
• Life Guards
• Group session facilitators (budget workshops, college application process)
• Entertainers (Native American dancers/drummers, musicians, magicians, etc.)

Health Center Volunteers

Nurses, Nurse practitioners, Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Pharmacy/Nursing/Medical Students

Student Volunteers

There are lots of opportunities for high school students to fulfill their community services hours. Students can volunteer during the camp with recreational programs such as arts/crafts, basketball, fishing, canoeing, camper registration, etc. Help is also needed during Summer Camp in the Kennett Square office with camp preparation and organizing for the camp session.

Significant Achievements over the Past Twenty-Three Years:

• Total Number of unduplicated HIV/AIDS Impacted Youth served: 5,300 children
• Camp Dreamcatcher has provided 23 camp sessions and 27 weekend retreats to children and families coping with HIV/AIDS
• Provided 34 Reunion Events for HIV/AIDS impacted children and their families
• 930 children have been served through our holiday Adopt-a-Family Program
• 1,000 counselors have attended our HIV/AIDS & Diversity Training
• HIV/AIDS education and outreach has been provided to over 500 schools and community groups, reaching over 20,000 people
• THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SINCE INCEPTION IS 220,000!

What Campers Experience at Camp Dreamcatcher:

• I felt I could ask for help at camp: 86%
• Camp increased my communication skills: 88%
• It was easier to talk about HIV/AIDS at camp: 88%
• I felt supported by volunteers and staff at camp: 89%
• I could relate to the feelings and concerns of other campers: 92%
• I made strong friendships at camp: 92%
• I would recommend camp to a friend: 92%
• There was someone I could talk to at camp: 96%
• I enjoyed the activities: 97%
• I made new friends at camp: 98%
• Is it important to have a place like Camp Dreamcatcher: 99%

What makes Camp Dreamcatcher unique?

• “The good friends I make.”
• “Therapy Groups.”
• “Going to Activities.”
• “They support everyone like family.”
• “The pool is unique because it is fun.”
• “Gaga Ball.”
• “Escape Room and Go-Carts.”
• “My friends and counselors.”
• “It is a very special place.”
• “Camp Game Night!”
• “Swimming, Fishing.”
• “They have so much to do.”
• “Swimming and the Escape Room.”
• “Seeing adults talking to us about our problems.”
• “Go-Carts!”
• “Very Fun!”
• “I LOVE CAMP!!”

Mark your calendars for this year’s Fright Feast on Saturday, October 26! The Fright Feast is a unique Halloween themed evening of food and fun to raise funds for worthy causes and organizations in our community.

It’s an eerily enchanting evening to enjoy…

• delicious food prepared by Serock Catering
• open bar for beer and wine
• unique and interesting auction and raffle items including a casket of spirits (wine, beer and liquor)
• tarot card readings
• costume contest & prizes
• musical entertainment by Blue Sky Band and other fun-filled Fright Feast activities

Oakbourne Mansion
1014 S. Concord Rd.
Kennett Square, PA 19382

6:30 – 10:00 p.m.

To buy tickets, become a sponsor, or get more information, visit http://bidpal.net/frightfeast or contact Jack Schwartz at 610-444-5219.