Global Camps Africa changes the lives of South Africa’s vulnerable children and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through high-impact residential and day camp experiences and continuing education, equipping young people with the life skills that will support them in becoming safe and productive adults who have hope for the future.

Global Camps Africa was founded on a belief in the power of camp.  Veteran U.S. camp owner Philip Lilienthal, brought together his belief in the transformational nature of camp and his passion for helping people around the globe to create a powerful force in the lives of South African children.

Lilienthal learned about camping first-hand as the owner and director of Camp Winnebago in Maine.  Prior to taking over the camp, Lilienthal experienced the challenges and triumphs of Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer.  In 1966, he established Ethiopia’s first residential summer camp.

After 30 years of camping in the U.S., Lilienthal decided to draw on both experiences to pursue a new goal, to help children affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa.

GCA was founded in 2003 to create an enduring foundation and a prototype camp dedicated to changing attitudes and behaviors of South African children and youth about HIV/AIDS and their future.   By the next year, Global Camps Africa had established its first residential camp program in South Africa, Camp Sizanani.

What began as belief in the power of camp has become a model for changing the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

VISION

Children of Africa free of HIV/AIDS and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

MISSION

Global Camps Africa changes the lives of South Africa's vulnerable children and youth by providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and training through high-impact residential and day camp experiences and continuing education, equipping young people with the life skills that will support them in becoming safe and productive adults who have hope for the future.

NEED

South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 6.3 million people living with HIV and over 200,000 deaths due to AIDS.
There are about 360,000 children, aged 0-14, living with HIV and over 2.4 million orphaned children, aged 0-17, due to AIDS virus.
Even with the high prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS, the majority of the population, particularly in Soweto, have never been tested for the virus.
Women in sub-Saharan Africa are twice as likely to acquire HIV via unprotected heterosexual intercourse than men, this can be attributed to many reasons including violence against women, inequality within the family, or having no say in condom use.