Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC and One Heartland: Cedar 4 works in Willow River, Minnesota

Cedar 4 members pose at the amphitheater at One Heartland.

By: Samantha Janda 

For their current project, the AmeriCorps NCCC team, Cedar 4, has been working with One Heartland in Willow River, Minn. Arriving on July 15, the team is stationed in Minnesota until August 3.

Cedar 4 has been integrated into the camp counselor staff for Camp Heartland, as well as Camp One Futures and Camp Oasis. There, they are working with kids of all ages on special skills such as canoeing, arts and crafts, rock climbing and various other activities. They participate in things such as nighttime campfires, all meals, and group sports as well. On the days when camps are not in session, the NCCC team does maintenance work around the site. They have done mowing, scraping and staining cabins, organizing closets and numerous other tasks.

NCCC members are thoroughly enjoying their time interacting with new people, seeing the Minnesota wildlife, and just being amongst the inspiring staff and children. 

One Heartland is the site for many different overnight camps that focus on children and teens and acceptance. Their mission is to create community, offer respite and to build lifelong skills by providing an accepting environment for children and youth so they may lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. The camp was started twenty years ago to help improve the lives of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Since then it has expanded to include camps focusing on HIV/AIDS, Type 2 Diabetes, homelessness, and LGBTQ among others.