July 20-24, 2009
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Camp Totokett is a free
one-week camp for the "invisible" children of HIV/AIDS:
children who, while not infected themselves, live in families
where one or more family member is infected. At a very early
age, these children must face the illness, and sometimes death,
of a parent or other loved one, often in the isolation and silence
that typically surround those suffering from AIDS. |
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Founded in 1996 by The First Congregational
Church of Branford and held yearly at Killam's Point, the Church's
waterfront property in Branford, camp offers a respite from the
enormous issues and responsibilities which these children face
daily in their homes. In a stimulating, nurturing environment,
children, ages 6-13, participate in seashore-based nature activities,
arts and crafts, fishing and a daily music program.
Since the camp's inception, it has also
been a primary objective to provide enrichment and leadership
training to our older former campers. Previous Camp Totokett campers
who are now in high school will be eligible for a weekend enrichment
program. The weekend will take place before the regular Camp Totokett
week and is way to maintain the connections established in the
past as the campers 'age out' of the regular program. A few former
campers will join the Church's mission trip to Kentucky where
they learn advanced leadership training skills, while giving of
themselves to others in need.
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Camp Totokett also seeks
to promote individual, family and community connections between
urban and suburban participants. Camp staff (except for our waterfront
director) is made up entirely of community volunteers, including
high school and college students, teachers, nurses, physicians
and clergy. |
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Through bringing together diverse urban and suburban groups, camp
serves strongly as a bridge spanning geographic, socioeconomic,
racial and religious lines. All participants develop new understandings,
compassion, lasting friendships and respect for each other.
| There continues to be a
significant need in the greater New Haven community for children
and families living with AIDS/HIV. Camp regularly reaches out
to newly affected families, but also serves as a long term support
base to our campers, the majority of whom return for multiple
seasons. |
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Camp offers stability to
children coping with the multiplicity of changes that AIDS can
bring, including (as has been the case with some of our campers)
the death of a parent or loved one. Camp Totokett plans to continue
its support to those who find themselves living in the midst
of AIDS for as long as there is a need in our community. |
As a mission project of the First Congregational
Church, the camp depends on volunteers for staffing and on donations
of food, services and dollars from not only the congregation but
also the wider community. It is funded in part by the Children
Affected by AIDS Foundation, the Fresh Air Fund of the New Haven
Register, the Woman's Seamen's Friend Society, private donations
and, in the past by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
and the Branford Community Foundation.
Volunteers are always needed. High school
students who have completed grade 9 are eligible to be mentors
and adults who either like to work with children in a specific
age group setting or have other skills in the areas of waterfront,
arts and crafts, music, fishing, grant writing etc. are encouraged
to become a part of the camp.
First Congregational Church 1009
Main Street Branford Connecticut
203-488-7201
