Camp Heartland is the nation's largest camp facility for childen whose lives
have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. It's headquarters are located outsided Milwaukee, Wi
with their main campsite in Willow Brooke, MN. Satellite camps are in Malibu, CA
and the newest is located in upstate New York. The New York site was revitalized and
dedicated on ABC's Extreme Makeover's season finale show in May of this year, 2007.
The camp was founded by, and is still under the direction of Neil Willenson, a unique,
loving and kind young man who in his early 20's, befriended a young boy, Nile, who along
with his mother was living with AIDS. Neil saw a need for normalcy and friendship for Nile
and in 1993, along with some of his college friends, held the first session of Camp Heartland.
The camp is now in its 14th year and has served hundreds of children from all across the
nation who are either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
For more information on Camp Heartland please visit Grant's Resource Page
Grant was a camper at Camp Heartland at that very first session in 1993. It was here that he met
many, many other children who were living the nightmare of AIDS, and it was here that friendships
and relationships outside of his small hometown were made. It was at Camp Heartland that he quickly
learned the meaning of "bittersweet" as he looked forward to seeing all of his new friends, yet dreaded
the thought of "not" seeing those who didn't return because of illness or death. The harsh reality of
living with AIDS was brought home continually when faces were missing at future camp sessions.
Camp Heartland quickly caught the attention of the media and reporters were pushing for interviews. Not
all campers were public about their HIV status or of that of their family members. A few of the campers,
including Grant, had spoken out in their communities about being HIV+. There were, the Rays from
Florida, three brothers with hemophilia and HIV whose lives had been projected in the media after their home
was fire bombed when they were small due to fear and ignorance of AIDS; Joey Diapolo from New York, who as a
child was not allowed to attend public schools due to his HIV infection from bad blood he had received during
heart repair surgery at a very young age; Jonathan Swain, another child who had received contaminated blood
during medical procedures as an infant; and Hyadeia Broadbent, a little girl from Nevada with a big voice who
was born HIV+. All of these children were media icons because they were not afraid to say, "I'm HIV+ or I have
AIDS. Grant had been in the limlight in small town America, but was now known as a national child hero, speaking
out about HIV/AIDS, and a spokesperson for Camp Heartland, a title he cherished.
Junior Scholastic/Weekly Reader published an article about the camp.
Grant is pictured in the article on the bottom right.
In 1994, Camp Heartland sponsored "The Journey of Hope" bus tour. This was the first traveling HIV/AIDS Awareness
program ever. For two weeks, Camp Heartland campers, along with their parents and staff, traveled from New York City
to Orlando, FL on a rock and roll type bus making stops in major cities and colleges along the route speaking out to
thousands about living with the disease and teaching others how to protect themselves. Upon arriving in Orlando, the
participants were special guests and Grand Marshalls of the parade at Disney World. Grant was one of those campers.
The original Journey of Hope Kids
Grant at a Journey of Hope presentation
In 1997, Grant became a counselor at the camp. Brother Blake and sister Ashton were now campers. Everyone counselor
is given a camp name. Grant's was "St Lewis". Pictured below is a picture taken of Grant on dress up fun night.
Camp Heartland was a very special place for Grant and our entire family. Neil is a most awesome person and is truely an
earth angel. Neil read Grant's eulogy at his "Celebration of Life" funeral service, MC'd his final birthday party and was
master of ceremonies at the Grant Lewis memorial service.
Neil, the staff and Camp Heartland have been an inspiration to not only our family, but also to thousands of others. Upon
Grant's death, the Grant Lewis Camp Heartland Memorial Fund was established at the camp in order to assist families with
funeral expenses.
Grant with Adam & Andre 1993(L)Camp counselors and friends 1994(R)
Grant with Scott, brother to Adam, who died on the 2nd day of camp,
year two, and Sammi, Grant's other true love
Thank you Camp Heartland for all the love, friendships, compassion,
support and memories that you gave to Grant, our family and so many
others. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
The Lewis Family
Jerry, Linda
Blake, Ashton & MaKayla
