AIDS Activist youth HIV/AIDS educator & long-term survivor Bob Bowers' Harley Davidson & Buell motorcycle photos
AIDS awareness honoring and remembering lives lost to HIV/AIDS

AIDS activists, youth HIV/AIDS educators, long-term AIDS survivors-Photos of Bob Bowers Da Pirate One Tough Pirate-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

HIV positive speakers, aids activism, youth hiv/aids education in schools-Wisconsin & United States

 
   
Camp Heartland
Willow River, Minnesota-June, 2005
 
Bob,
Thanks for all of your hard work, humor, dedication and compassion. The gates of Camp Heartland will always be open for you.

Take care! Neil

Neil Willenson
Founder & CEO
Camp Heartland
 

Photo of Camp Heartland sign and Bob Bowers a.k.a. Da Pirate-What a GREAT summer!

Bob,

Thanks for all you've given us this summer. You warmed the hearts of many a tiny Pirate, be well.

With Love,
Owen Ryan
Camp Director

 

Camp Heartland Founder and CEO Neil Willenson with Bob Bowers

Bob Bowers with Neil Willenson a.k.a. Noodle
(Camp Heartland Founder and CEO)
You deeply inspire me Neil!

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Camp Heartland in Willow River MN

I highly encourage you to learn more and or become involved with Camp Heartland. Please visit their site at:

www.campheartland.org

Thank you to the most compassionate and dedicated group of young adults who make up the administrative and camp staff! A heartfelt thank you to all of you who donated to help make my camp experience possible!

*Please understand that due to strict confidentiality, there will be no photos of the kids here at Camp. You might see shots of backs or distant photos of them. Most photos you see are with staff, admin and junior counselors. *

 
 
 

Camp Heartland

Dear Administrators and Staff,

Through this donation, it is my great pleasure to sponsor my respected and esteemed friend, Bob Bowers, who will be joining you this summer.  Bob is a very dear friend of mine, one who not only makes a difference in many lives but especially has made a significant difference in mine. Bob’s achievements are not what interest me most about him, however.  What I find of incredible value is his human-ness with all who come in contact with him.  He is a man of great love and courage. Though I wish I could stop in for a day and have some potato salad with you, please just enjoy summer camp this year and know that you are loved from half way around the world here in Saudi Arabia. Thank you to all the Camp Heartland staff for doing the tremendous job that you do year after year for all the participants at your wonderful camp.

With much Love, Mark M.

 
 

Youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools, colleges, universities and jails-Da Pirate-One Tough Pirate-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

Hi Bob!

You probably do not remember me but we talked on my space a few years ago after my HIV/AIDS scare and after a friend of mine passed away from HIV/AIDS related symptoms. Continue to do the work that you do, you are inspiration to so many people both positive and negative!

Much luck and blessings,

Philip
 

Madison, Wisconsin - Youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools - Facebook profile

  Madison, Wisconsin and United States AIDS activists - Youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools- MySpace profile   Youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools - Twitter profile   Youth HIV/AIDS prevention through education in schools - YouTube page
 

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I am so very grateful for the opportunity and privilege to have worked this Summer as a cabin counselor for Camp Heartland this summer! Camp Heartland indeed helps make life better for kids impacted by HIV and AIDS. This was most definitely a dream come true for me to be of service there.  Camp Heartland possesses a unique spirit and overwhelming sense of warmth and compassion. Just to step foot on the grounds sent chills throughout my body. You can feel the magic in the air without a doubt. The children and staff here, have truly inspired me and I have grown in ways I never really imagined. Whether I was walking on a wire over 3 stories up in the air, or simply sitting with a child on a bench, there was just an overwhelming sense of community, compassion, team spirit and love. I'm definitely a stronger person because of my experiences here at Camp and I already have a lifetime of precious memories. Thank you all for your generous donations in my fundraising efforts.  I was able to raise $1,500.00 for camp. I would also like to thank my friends for my incredibly heartfelt  'care packages!' I plan to make Camp Heartland an annual priority for me each Summer! I hope you will too. I can still hear the children's laughter and feel the love! Thank you Neil for creating such a truly beautiful 'escape' from the day to day struggles that the campers too often face!
 

Please enjoy the slide show

 

Tis Pirate's rule at Camp Heartland!

 
Camp Heartland Pirate's cove cabin theme

Week two I was with Lucas and Pierre in Cabin 5. Our theme was none other than, The Pirate's Cove. What an awesome group of young swabbies we had!

Avast! Camp Heartland counselors cabin
Pirate wind sock  
 
full sleeve tattoos-pirates tattoos photos-fire, flames, spider webs elbows-pictures
 
Lake Noodle and Summer sun on the dock at Camp Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota

At Lake Noodle...Thank you Mia!

Photo of Camp Heartland logo on the playground
sidewalk chalk artwork
Trail of Hope sign at Camp Heartland
The Trail of Hope is a touching trail to reflect and remember and leave hand crafted memories
Photo of honor garden brick from Camp Heartland
Frog artwork
land sports sidewalk chalk-Camp Heartland
Photo of Honor Garden Brick
Fight AIDS not people with AIDS artwork
Tom and Da Pirate
Thank you so much Tom!
Welcome to Camp Heartland artwork
Counselors and staff
Red Ribbon of Hope artwork from Camp Heartland
Camp counselors in the dining hall
colorful artwork from Camp
dinosaur cabin signs from Camp Heartland
Photos from closing campfire skits at Camp Heartland

Week one closing campfire

Time to Shine artwork
A world of possibilities artwork
campfire torch

Carrying our torch to closing campfire and skits of session one

sidewalk chalk-Nature
respect and love artwork
Boys cabin 6 rules!
peace sign artwork
photo from low ropes course
HOPE artwork-Keep HOPE alive!
sidewalk chalk of boy and girl campers
camp heartland counselors
Honor Garden brick-With love to all the children!
Da Pirate and Lucas Popowitz-Boys cabin counselors

My co-counselor Luke Popowitz

Camp Heartland counselors Da Pirate and Katie

The incredible Katie!

Bobo's Birthday celebration

Happy birthday Katie! a.k.a. Bobo

Camp Heartland welcome sign artwork
Photo on the trail of hope at Camp Heartland

On the Trail of Hope

totem pole at Camp Heartland
totem pole photo from Camp Heartland- A place of love and acceptance
Photo of totem pole bear at Camp Heartland

Parts of the camp totem pole

snapping turtle photo in the Honor Garden at Camp Heartland

Snapping turtle in garden

red ribbon cake done by Fred -Camp Heartland style-AIDS awareness even when we eat

Thanks to Fred & kitchen crew!

Lake Noodle-Da Pirates first canoe trip  at Camp Heartland

My first canoe trip

 
low ropes course at camp heartland
Successfully going through the 'low ropes' course during staff training at Camp Heartland
Photos of counselors from Camp Heartland
Thank you to my amazing team, Katie, Ashley, Crystal, Jerome and Jonah!
Pirratitude! Da Pirate at closing skits for Camp Heartland
Making future Pirates of America, Camp Heartland style! Closing night campfire-week #2
Dar Baker and Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland
With Dar (Camp Heartland Visionary and Healthcare Services Manager) one TOUGH nurse! Thanks Dar for ALL that you do!
Steve Popowitz and Da Pirate arm wrestling at Camp Heartland
Arm Wrestling with Steve (Director of Facilities) OK, this guy is tough! My FIRST loss! and I WILL be back for a REMATCH! Thanks Steve!
Tiffany and Da Pirate at Camp Heartland
Thanks Tiffany for helping me get to camp! (Director of Program Services)
Photo of Ben and Bob Da Pirate

With Ben at all Camp Day Carnival. Ben is in charge of the male counselors. You are AWESOME Ben, thanks for making me feel so welcome at camp!

AIDS awareness t-shirts-Together we fight the fear of AIDS
Nuff said!
Katie was our 'Waterfront' woman amongst her MANY 'hats' these last couple of weeks. Thank you Katie for an amazingly well done job!
Skill 2 and 3 land sports crew rocks! Much thanks to Gerome and Kristi! These two have some MAD skills and were great to 'work' with!
Photo of Bob and Tebo at Camp Heartland
With my incredible Co-Counselor Tebo! Look closely in The Journey of Hope book and you may just see Mr. Tebo there! You ROCK dude!
Dylan Ferhman and Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland
With Dylan (counselor) who was inspired to attend Camp Heartland after hearing Rey and I speak on World AIDS Day at the UW-Madison campus. Dylan, you totally exemplify courage and compassion, thank you!
Nurse Karen Dykes and Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland

Thank you nurse Karen for ALL of your help and support! Not only did Karen help with my photographic needs, she helped me to inject myself properly for the first time in over 12 years! You ROCK Karen!

camp heartland is a slice of heaven!
Bam Bam (L) is the camp psychologist or a.k.a. "Comfort Zone" Queen. Bing Bing is her beloved fiancé. Congrats you two!

 Thank you Bam Bam and Bing Bing

Photo of Bob and Mack at Camp Heartland
With Mack, AP boys counselor and overall amazing young man! Mack helped me tremendously to accomplish the high ropes course!
Da Pirate and Jarvis at Camp Heartland

Guarding the door at our New Year's Eve dance with the toughest and coolest junior counselor, Jarvis! Thanks Jabo!

 
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
Our first evening campfire skit by our amazing administrative staff!
 

AIDS activist, youth HIV/AIDS educator & long-term survivor Bob Bowers-Fight on!

 
With my first and second week we took the luxury to put tattoos on the campers in our cabins as part of 'cabin time' together. Future Pirates of America?! Thanks guys!
Camp Heartland photos Camp Heartland photos Camp Heartland photos Camp Heartland photos

They grow big Pirates for 7,8 and 9 year olds here at Camp Heartland!

Enjoying some much needed r&r at Duluth, MN and Lake Superior

 
 
 
Youth HIV/AIDS educator, AIDS activist  & long-term survivor Bob Bowers, One Tough Pirate, also known simply as "Da Pirate." Bob has been living with and surviving HIV/AIDS for 25 years. Bob started as an HIV positive speaker with peer education programs in Los Angeles shortly after his diagnosis. To broaden his personal message of prevention through education, hope and awareness of the disease, Bob founded the nonprofit educational organization, HIVictorious, Inc. in 2005. HIVictorious addresses youth HIV/AIDS education and prevention and provides AIDS awareness in Madison, Wisconsin and throughout the United States through Bob's public speaking and its AIDS awareness poster contest, "What if it Were You?" Mr. Bowers is a leading and well respected AIDS advocate and leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As a long-term survivor of HIV/AIDS, and someone who has lost dozens of friends to AIDS, Bob is wholeheartedly committed to educating today's youth and young adults about the realities of HIV/AIDS, as well as living with AIDS long-term. Mr. Bowers is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life.
 
 

 "Compassion is our cure." ~Bob Bowers

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