AIDS Activist youth HIV/AIDS educator & long-term survivor Bob Bowers' Harley Davidson & Buell motorcycle photos
HIV positive speakers-Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate-Youth HIV/AIDS education-United States and Madison, Wisconsin

Camp Heartland photos from Willow River, Minnesota

HIV positive speaker, AIDS activist, youth HIV/AIDS education by long-term survivor Bob Bowers Da Pirate-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

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

 
Camp Heartland welcome sign photo
Camp Heartland
Willow River, Minnesota-July, 2006
 

Camp Heartland's new ampitheatre

Ah, home again at last! This is Camp Heartland's new amphitheatre

A wet and sticky time on Molliter field!
Photo of Ann and Da Pirate at Camp Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota
Ann and Da Pirate enjoyin a photo op...Thx girl!
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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.

 
 
 

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!

 
 
 

> Back to Photos of Da Pirate <

 

 

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

Hi Bob!

I never met you but I know a lot about you. My son got to know you about 3 years ago when he was attending ITA. That day he came home , and all he did was talk about you. You are such a huge personality who can make a difference in people's life. Thank you again and I wish you the best...and I hope that one of this days I can meet you and your wife.

~ Martha
 

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

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**Please note. Due to confidentiality, I am only able to show a few of the campers. I truly hope you enjoy the 'glimpse.' **

 
   
 

Please enjoy the slide show

Camp Heartland sign photo
 
It has been another awe-inspiring year to work with the amazing administration team, counselors, staff and campers of Camp Heartland. I have found an extended family of extraordinary proportions. It is with great pleasure that I share these photos and experiences with you all. I drove directly to camp in Minnesota after speaking at my friend Mike McKinney's memorial service. It was a difficult time emotionally to say the least. However, the love, compassion and understanding I was welcomed with, was nothing short of healing and very much needed. I absolutely can't say enough about this organization and all involved. You could not find more compassionate and selfless folks. This year I was the boy's youth counselor for the 8-10 year olds. We were in cabin 5 and named "The X-Men." Our cabin had two individuals in wheelchairs. Their courage and determination alone, was enough to deeply humble and inspire me. The brave stories and smiling faces are endless and etched in my heart and soul. One of the many highlights of my stay in Minnesota was packing both kids to the top of the climbing tower (over 30 feet up) with my co-counselor Johnnie. My other co-counselors were Chauncey and Logan. I was grateful to spend time with these awesome young men. They are long time returnees to camp. Our cabin was co-winner of the cleanest cabin and we were treated to ice cream with all the works in the camp parlor. Cleanest cabin is no small feat and bribing the cleaning team inspectors (mop and glow) doesn't hurt. As many of you know, we were in the grips of a horrific heat spell during July. Needless to say, I was quite pleased to have canoeing as my skill to teach. There is truly something calming and magical about "Lake Noodle" which is named after Founder and CEO, Neil Willenson. I was also quite excited to re-unite with my special friend Kalee Garland once again. I had helped her to connect with MTV for the upcoming special on August 18th, "Think HIV--This is Me." It was way too fun to film footage of her for it while at camp. I can now add videographer to my resume. :) This was also my first live radio spot for my monthly show on WORT Radio, "In the Know." Marlena did a spectacular job being interviewed live and I'm quite grateful for her willingness and the admin staff for accommodating the time. SheA Journey of Hope book from Campheartland described to listeners how vital Camp Heartland has been in her young life. Thank you Marlena for being such an eloquent spokesperson for us! Amongst her other accomplishments, Marlena is also pictured on the cover of "A Journey of Hope." I highly recommend that you procure a copy of this priceless book! It lends a touching insight to the campers and Neil Willenson's inspiration for founding camp. You can click on the photo (right) to learn more or purchase a copy. She is also a passionate speaker for The Journey of Hope tour. Before I had even arrived at camp, the admin staff had sent me some amazingly wonderful e-mails. The love, gratitude and excitement they shared prompted me to accomplish another long time goal of attending camp in Malibu, California. So, my journey this year will continue with many more photos and stories from Malibu. I will also be reporting live again from camp for "In The Know." I'd like to extend a special thanks to my friend Mitch Weber of ABC's channel 27 for reporting on camp and our dear friend and fellow counselor Dylan Ferhman. Again, my deepest thanks to the entire Camp Heartland family for their tireless commitment to improve the young lives of those impacted by this dreadful pandemic called AIDS. Namaste you fearless warriors!
 

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
 

 
 
Neil Willenson-Camp Heartland-One Heartland Founder and CEO
 
With Neil Willenson a.k.a. "Noodle" (Camp Heartland Founder and CEO)
Thank you for the opportunity to be of service Neil!
 

 

 

Camp Heartland - One Heartland

 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
Photos from Camp Heartland's ampitheatre
 
 
 
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
 
photo of cabin 5 the X Men
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
sidewalk chalk at Camp Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
One Tough Pirate Logo - www.onetoughpirate.com  
Photos from Camp Heartland
Luke and La Toya havin fun w/ campers at carnival
Photos from Camp Heartland
And I LOVE Camp Heartland! Thank you Vanessa!
Photos from Camp Heartland's dance-Tis good t' be a PIRATE!
It's good to be a Pirate-At the Under the Sea dance with La Toya and "Queen"
Camp Heartland photos from Willow River Minnesota
I'm truly humbled! Thank you LIT's!
Photo of Da Pirate and friends at Camp Heartland
It's mutiny time at Camp Heartland!

Neil Willenson showing campers how break dancing is done!

Da Pirate at Camp Heartland Lake Noodle Willow River, Minnesota

Da Pirate chillin on Lake Noodle during canoe skill period at Camp Heartland

Camp Heartland One Heartland

O.K. Izzy and Lynsey are a little afraid!

 
 
 

aids unity peace love camp heartland

AIDS-LOVE-PEACE-UNITY Thank you Lucas!

Camp Heartland ampitheatre

Thank you Dar and Jeanne for your tireless commitment to Camp Heartland!

 

hiv aids honor garden

Pierre is amazing! He has gone from camper to counselor and it's a pleasure to know him!

camp heartland

Da Pirate enjoyin a mug with one of our cabin 5 gang. We were the X-Men this year!

Camp Heartland photos of Da Pirate and friends

An inspiring story and amazing young man I was fortunate to have in our cabin! Camp Heartland rules!

 
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 

More photos from Camp Heartland:

 
Photo of Rey and camper at Camp Heartland
 
summer days at camp heartland
 
water fight photo from Camp Heartland in MN
 
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
love hand sign
 
aids history shirt
 

Kimberly Locke Supawoman

VISIT KIMBERLEY LOCKE'S SITE

 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
pin the patch on the pirate at camp's carnival></font></b></td> 
hope ribbon at Camp Heartland
 
bear minnesota
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
one heartland campheartland sign
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
 
Photos from Camp Heartland's playground
 
Photos from Camp Heartland-sidewalk chalk
 
playground photo at camp heartland
 
life is good poster
 
mohawk hair cut

 

club meds
 
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
photo of the owl in the totem pole at Camp Heartland
 
lake fishing Camp Hearltand in Willow River, Minnesota
 
peace and love
 
Photos from Camp Heartland
 
 
One Tough Pirate Logo - www.onetoughpirate.com
 

camper in my pirate costume at Camp Heartland-Willow River, MN

Look out folks, there's a NEW Pirate in town! Another cabin 5 inspiration!

camp heartland honor garden photo in willow river, minnesota

With Lucas and Chauncey in the Garden of Hope. Chauncey was my co-counselor
See more photos and learn more about Lucas by clicking here
trail of hope sign photo at Camp Heartland
The Trail of Hope at Camp Heartland is a touching trail to reflect and remember
and leave hand crafted memories
nile sandeen bob bowers hiv aids survivors
Nile Sandeen and Da Pirate. Nile was the inspiration behind Neil founding Camp Heartland. His story is one of courage and triumph. Thank you Nile! SURVIVORS rule!
Kimberly Locke from American Idol Camp Heartland's ampitheatre
Approving of artist Kimberly Locke's performance for the campers-Thank you!
Steve Popowitz and Da Pirate at Camp Heartland in Willow River, Minnesota
Arm Wrestling with Steve Popowitz (Director of Facilities) OK, this guy is tough! My FIRST loss! and I WILL be back for a REMATCH! Thanks Steve!
photo of Hammer and Da Pirate at Camp Heartland's carnival
The tireless and devoted Hammer-Thank you!!!
Photo of Camp Heartland admin staff at closing camp fire skits
The amazing admin staff from Camp Heartland at closing skits
Photos from Camp Heartland
Doing some overtime work as bouncer for the ....boys
classic jukebox
Bob and Logan enjoyin some chill time for having the cleanest cabin
Go cabin 5!
Nathan Henry and Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland
With Nathan Henry in Club Meds
Nice to meet you Nate!
summer fishing at camp heartland
Fishing on Lake Noodle is a must for campers!
Dylan Fehrman & Bob Bowers at Camp Heartland
With Dylan (counselor) who was inspired to attend Camp Heartland after hearing Rey and me speak on World AIDS Day at the UW-Madison campus in 2004. Thank you Dylan for your ongoing commitment to Camp!
Photos from Camp Heartland
Thank you Andrea!
kissing fish on Lake Noodle at Camp Heartland
My canoe and fishing buddy kissing his twentieth fish for the day!
self portrait
We have way too much fun at camp...Thank you Angela!
Photo of Bob and Kalee at Camp Heartland
Bob and Kalee together again at Camp Heartland
See more photos and learn more about Kalee by clicking here

 

 
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

"We are not lepers or indispensable; we are brothers, sister, sons, daughters, parents, and yes, even grandparents who for one reason or another were infected with the AIDS virus. The “H” in HIV stands for Human. If we can unite to end AIDS, we will hopefully put right many other divisions that face us as a world." 
flaming skull logo OTP One Tough Pirate

~Bob Bowers a.k.a. Da Pirate

 
 
joel goldman camp heartland bob bowers
 
Da Pirate with Joel from Camp Heartland's Board of Directors. Thank you Joel!
 
Hi Bob,

Please do not take my slowness to respond as any damper on my enthusiasm of finally meeting da pirate. It is really amazing that our paths have never crossed. I've known about you, but just never in the same place at the same time. Crazy, huh? Well finally we meet and I look forward to spending some time together up in Malibu.

Thanks for all you do....I am in awe of your boundless energy and the organization and website you run. For sure let's work together on something.

Peace,
Joel
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 

Camp Heartland campers doin' some slip and slide during cabin time together

Photos from Camp Heartland slip and slide Photos from Camp Heartland slip and slide water fun at Camp Heartland

Photo of Da Pirate at Camp Heartland

I think this camper exceeds the size and age limit? What's a Pirate to do?!

Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 

scooby doo costume at camp heartland

cross dressing fun-Camp Heartland style

It's all about da Scooby snacks...Thanks Zon

Who says real men don't cross dress?!
Cross dress dinner is always a riot!
Thx Luke & Ben

 

Photos from Camp Heartland

A photo with one awe-inspiring young man from our cabin!
Thank you Camp Heartland!

Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 
   

Bob Bowers "Da Pirate" w/ Milwaukee Brewer Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and my incredible friend Neil Willenson Founder/CEO of Camp Heartland

 
 
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 

camp heartland news

 

Please take time to learn more about these remarkable campers, Jonathan and Ashley

hiv aids survivor jonathan swain nbc dateline
Jonathan Swain
Click here or above photo

 
 

A friend featured on OTP is Ms. Kalee Garland. I met Kalee while at Camp Heartland's Youth Retreat last Fall. I couldn't be prouder to say she was featured in length on the recent  MTV special "Think HIV-This is Me." The show was amazing and if you missed it, you can click here to view it online. Just click "Channels" then "News" and then click on the title of the show. I'd like to extend a special thanks to David Gale, Executive-Vice President of MTV Films for being so gracious with Kalee, me and others at camp! Thank you is not nearly enough.
 

Camp Heartland

Click above banner to see some amazing Time photos from Camp Heartland

Click here to read a story from Time about Camp Heartland

 
Journey of Hope from Campheartland On Sale Now! A Journey of Hope:
Inspiring Stories of Courage and Unconditional Love

This powerful and beautiful 132 page full color book by Camp Heartland founder Neil Willenson includes a collection of more than 100 gorgeous photographs by award winning photographer Katja Heinemann. Edited by journalist Kurt Chandler, "A Journey of Hope" features the stories, poems and reflections by and about the children of Camp Heartland.

Click photo (left) to read more and or purchase.

 
Photos of AIDS survivor Bob Bowers-Youth HIV/AIDS educator and AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
 

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 26 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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HIV positive speakers-Youth HIV/AIDS education-Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate-Madison, Wisconsin-United States