What do you remember about summer camp? Roasted marshmallows? Endless rounds of “Kumbayaa”? Mosquito bites the size of Frisbees?

You’ve never understood why the other kids liked it so much.

Now you don’t really have to. Not when it comes to donating your time or resources to Camp Laurel. The HIV-positive kids who attend the camp — which has sessions at various locations during winter, spring, and summer breaks — are grateful to be able to enjoy the outdoors, take part in games, and socialize in a stigma-free zone while resting easy with the knowledge that medical staff are always nearby. Open to children ages 6 to 16, Camp Laurel promotes confidence through independence-building activities like archery, arts and crafts, hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, and sailing. (You know. What the other kids called “fun.”)

Expenses are paid in full for every child, which means the organization is pretty much always in need of donations. And the staff is made up almost entirely of volunteers, so there are many, many ways to get involved. You can even give airline miles, which they use to fly in kids from all parts of the country.

See? Your ideas about camp are changing already.

Now, come on. Sing with us: “Kumbayaa, m’Lord …”

For information on volunteering, go to camplaurel.org or call 323-653-5005. Too busy to volunteer? You can still help. Check out Camp Laurel’s wish list.