Camp Totokett
July 19-23, 2010
Join us on Facebook!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information please contact:
Rev. Theresa Borchetta, Director
Minister for Youth and Family
First Congregational Church of Branford
203-488-7201
Theresa@firstcongregationalbranford.org
or
Barbara Colley, Coordinator
barbaracolley@snet.net
Read about Camp Totokett in The New Haven Independent
Camp Totokett Mentor Covenant
Camp Health Form
Adult Registration
Mentor Registration