a program of

620 SW 5th Ave.
Suite 300
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-223-5907

Camp Starlight 2007

Thanks for considering a donation! Money raised for CAP is money raised for Camp Starlight!

Friends and co-workers! On Sunday, October 14th, I will take a stand in the fight against AIDS as I join with 10,000 people for the 21st annual AIDS Walk Portland presented by Nike.

I’m writing to you today to ask for your support as I walk the 5k (3.1 mi) route and raise much needed funds for HIV and AIDS prevention, services and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Your donation will help Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) continue their important work in our community: Camp Starlight is one of the largest programs of CAP. Having just returned from another amazing, yet challenging week at Camp, I’m certain the need for programs such as ours is greater than ever.

Please help me reach my goal of $2,000.00 by making a donation today; any amount helps! You may give me checks made payable to Cascade AIDS Project, or donate to me & Team Camp Starlight online by using the link below.

Your donation will make a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. Thank you for your support! Warmest Regards, Kevin

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Cascade AIDS Project.

Camp Starlight 2006

After my wild year of job changes I was more than ready for this year’s week at Camp Starlight! As always, the week opened my eyes to the world around me while being exclusively surrounded by a small community of about 120. Priorities are reexamined and pent up frustrations let go. The returning kids are getting older and bigger and the new kids are typically shy at first, ending the week as exuberant as the rest. 

The dynamic group of volunteers hit it right on the target yet again! This is always one of the most amazing parts for me, how complete strangers can instantly bond over a day and a half orientation and become the strong family for these kids. We had volunteers join us from across the country, representing all age groups and diversities.  It’s always so great to be reunited with the friends I’ve made over the past 5 summers and then add to that the new friendships that are immediately formed. 

This year we added a new category for our older teen campers. Our kids are growing up so happy and healthy, the teen group needed to be split, there are so many of them now! We also added fishing to the schedule and everyone really enjoyed that! None of my guys caught a fish, but my friend Janet from Portland Monthly did make the first catch of the week! 

Of course there were the usual tears as we all said good bye at the end of a very fast week. It’s always so endearing to see the growth these kids experience throughout the week. It’s also heart wrenching to consider the real world we are returning them to. They always say things like “thank you”, “I’ll miss you”, “I can’t wait to come back next year”….and the younger ones ask “why do we have to leave? I want to stay here!” . Very sweet and sad all at once. 

Thanks, as always, to everyone for their continued support of Camp Starlight and CAP. It gets harder and harder raising funds and with everyone on a volunteer basis, there’s only so many hours in a month that can be allocated to Camp and raising the money needed. Throughout the year we rely on donations from generous community members and organizations……if you are able, I’d love to chat with you about a donation from you or your company. 

Thanks again everyone, Camp Starlight couldn’t happen without great folks like you!   ~Kevin

Camp Starlight 2005

Sometimes there just aren't words.....

I can’t believe I came home from Camp Starlight 18 days ago, it feels as if I just left there, while at the same time, like it was months ago, as bizarre as it may sound. I know many of you have e-mailed and called asking for my web update…but try as I might, it just can’t escape my fingers. Those of you that were there with me can understand…..it’s difficult to put into words. But trust me, the experience was the perfect blend of emotion, reality, fantasy and as always, very inspiring. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider volunteering your time and joining us in 2006, our 8th year!

As I find myself drifting in and out of real life….it seems clear to me, that this world should be run by 8-10 year olds!

Thanks again to all the fine folks who donated to us this year……we appreciate your generosity. When we came back Labor Day weekend, the dollars began rolling in for next year already! Several members of the Camp Starlight Family are also associated with the La Femme Magnifique International Pageant……the audience there has always been very supportive of Camp Starlight and VERY generous. Several of the evenings entertainers donated their tips, and one of our new volunteers, Willie, entertained at the pageant as Whitley Lexington, and he and I auctioned off the gown he had created for his 10 year Anniversary of winning the pageant. We were thrilled to have the bidding close at $2200.00!!!! Just awesome! Thanks to Willie and the lucky winner, who’s $1200.00 outbid the $1000.00 of another friend….and even still, that “one grand” terrific man, donated his bid anyway! How’s THAT for amazing?

That next weekend, Carlos (Meesha) and I drove to Pasco, Washington for their annual fund raiser for Camp Starlight. The event was so very fun, we’d not been there before, and we certainly enjoyed ourselves! The nice folks at the Out & About know how to treat a queen! J Around $2500.00 was raised from a combination of the show, a car wash and a Beanie Babies sale….thanks so much to Empress Eunice and Bonnie Marche for putting together such a great and profitable event for us!

This weekend’s AIDS Walk is our next Camp Starlight related event…we have a mini reunion planned after the walk, with lunch generously provided by Elephant’s Deli…I can’t wait to see the gang!

Take care everyone! Thanks for your patience, support and friendship! Remember you can keep up on local events benefiting Camp Starlight and many other wonderful organizations here at poisonwaters.com . And it’s STILL not too late to join Team Camp Starlight for the AIDS Walk or make a donation!

This is me, loving you…..over and out! Kevin

Camp Starlight 2004

So the question is, as always, “How was Camp”?

Thanks to everyone who has been patient this week, it’s taken me a few days to formulate my thoughts…and even now, I’m not sure I have the words to describe last week. Just when I think I’m ready to let go and rejoin the real world (?), something pops into my mind and I’m right back there again, where I constantly long to be….among the precious children and amazingly caring adults…at Camp Starlight.

I’ve tried to convince myself that, yes, indeed, each year the Post Camp Blues are easier to handle. But in all actuality, they are getting tougher, with each Camp session bringing more and more to the surface, and more and more out of me. Fortunately, the “blues” don’t hang around as long each year, they are only heavier.

Here it is, Friday, an entire week since we left, and I caught my eyes welling up with tears on the my way into the office, only because my mind started singing the “Donut Song”! Come on! Get a grip! That’s what I tell myself…but do I really want to? All the kids this year were just fantastic. There were several new Campers who’ve left their mark in my heart. There were also many returning Campers who’ve grown so much in one short year, I hardly recognized them. They are all growing into such great people…a few struggle, but then, didn’t we all? My little men, are now practically teens….yikes! Watch out world…here they come! (Yes, I gave them the shaving cream to “get” the girls cabin with……but it was THEIR idea to retaliate after last years water balloon attack!)

Of course, we’ve already begun planning a fundraising for 2005…..which may prove to be a bigger challenge than in years before. With the closing of the Women’s Intercommunity AIDS Resource last Spring, we were “taken in” by The Research & Education Group. We are extremely grateful for their generosity, and all of their employees time and energy. Unfortunately, our agreement with them ends on September 30th. Of course there are several options, and we will consider them all. One thing for certain, Camp will continue!

Often I’m asked how much it costs each year. We work within an annual budget of about $50,000.00, about ½ of which is just to rent the camp site. We are all volunteers, with the exception of a Camp Coordinator that is hired from around early Spring through Camp, to do all the organizational stuff the rest of us can’t get to. We rely only on donors, grants, and the various fund raisers held throughout the Northwest.

During Darcelle XV’s La Femme Magnifique International Pageant last weekend, Darcelle and I chatted briefly about Camp and urged everyone to consider Camp Starlight when donating to local charities. We also challenged them to brainstorm possible sponsors for Camp. Everyone has a connection SOMEWHERE! With that, $1125.00 was raised during one number by Seattle’s Whitley Lexington. Her employer pledged to match the first $1000.00. The generosity in the room that evening was overwhelming.

Another check was sent in this week by a friend who attended the pageant for yet another $1000.00! What a great way to begin our years fund raising efforts! Thanks to everyone who donated, and thanks to all who WILL keep Camp Starlight in the hearts and minds…we really need your help and appreciate all you do for us throughout the year!

As for me, I’m ready to face the music……Camp Starlight 2004 is now over and I have lots of work to do. I have many photos, star grams and of course wonderful memories to get me through until next August. Thanks for being patient with me…geeze, is this what menopause is like? I should be nicer to my mother! Happy end of Summer Gang! It’s going to be a BUSY and eventful Autumn! Get ready…..and don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted on the happenings!

Love, Kevin

Camp Starlight 2003

C is for the sense of Community the many volunteers, old and new, helped to create this past week at Camp Starlight.

A is for the Amazing dedication everyone brought with them.

M is for the *MAGIC* we experienced that cannot be verbalized.

P is for the PARTY that continues in my heart and soul with the memories of another terrific Camp experience.

S is for the Songs that helped to express our feelings, moods and SILLINESS!

T is for the Triumph of witnessing a child come out of his/her shell and really shine!

A is for the Attention the kids so long for, yet rarely get in their non-Camp lives, that the volunteers so readily make available.

R is for Respect we have for these kids, for their strength and their resilience!

L is for the Laughter of child and adult ringing through out the Camp, and still in my ears.

I is for the Individuality these kids represent, that special something that makes them unique, whether they know it or not.

G is for the many Goals that were set and met at Camp. A good time WAS had by all!

H is for the HILARIOUS moments that kept us in stitches.

T is for the Tears that flowed, both of joy, and sadness…………all of which were very necessary.

Camp Starlight - 2002

It's quite funny to me, how many of you have called or e-mailed anxiously awaiting my "after Camp" e-mail. It makes me feel good to know you actually read my (often lengthy) ramblings! :-)

The truth behind my hesitancy to write this week is kinda strange (?), maybe. Have you ever experienced something so phenomenal, and personal, you weren't instantly ready to share it with anyone else except for those involved? Everyone has been asking me "how was Camp?", and there seems no way I can briefly say ALL that it was, ALL that it meant, and the tremendous personal growth I experienced. In a selfish kind of way, I needed to hold on to all that this week, to better understand the significance of this past week. Last year I was thoroughly caught off guard by my Post Camp Blues, and I think holding onto my thoughts and feelings a bit longer, and "easing" my self "back" has helped alleviate some of that this year.

I in no way wanted to keep you all "out" of the Camp loop, in fact, just the opposite! It is my hope that MANY of you will answer the call and become volunteer Camp Counselor's with me this next Summer. I'm quite proud to mention that this years MVC (Most Valuable Camper) award went to one of my "Silverado friends" Randy. (Okay, this isn't really an award, I just made it up BUT…..he was the BEST new Volunteer, EVERYONE loved him!). So, I've been asked to bring "many more like him" with me next year, and that is ALL of you! These kids need to benefit from the love, imagination, motivation and enthusiasm that you all possess! :-)

NOW, this years Camp was (again) such an amazing experience for me. The spirit and innocence of these beautiful children reminded me to laugh, play and enjoy being ME. It renewed my positive outlook and sense of individuality. I realized when I came home that the spirit of Camp, that we try to get the kids to carry with them throughout the year, was something I needed to hold on to as well. In our day to day lives, we need to remember it's okay to RUN, LAUGH, SHOUT, GET DIRTY and giggle when someone says "bootie"……………..

Just believe me when I say, there's nothing like a week at Camp, specifically Camp Starlight!!! The time is NOW to plan your attendance, and NOW to raise the $$$, and NOW to involve your Community!

Thank you SO much for your continued support, Happy Labor Day! 

Kevin/Poison/Whomever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Camp Starlight - 2001

As many of you know, I spent the last week of August 2001 at WIAR's "Camp Starlight". Camp Starlight provides children whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS the opportunity to enjoy a caring, safe, spiritual and FUN camp experience." It was the best thing I've ever done for myself or others.  I can still hear the sounds of this amazing experience.  I made so many new friends, both children and adults, I can hardly wait until next year!

I was in a cabin with 8 boys, ages 8-10 years old. There were 6 of us counselors, so that was a pretty nice ratio, giving the kids lots of individual attention. There were about 60 kids total at this years Camp, ages 5-17 years old..........I was worried about the age group I'd been given, but the little guys were (almost) perfect angels! We had so much fun, hiking, swimming, playing, doing arts and crafts, music, camp fires, sleep outs and LOTS of running, singing and eating! In a weeks time, it's amazing to me how closely we all bonded, again, the kids as well as the adults! I miss them all and hope they are all adjusting well to life after Kevin! Ha Ha!

The kids were from Oregon and Southwest Washington, but the counselors were from literally, all over the country! I was blown away that these folks came from New York, Ohio, Kansas, Washington and all OVER California! It was very cool to see how committed these people are! This was Camp Starlight's 3rd year, and it's just going to get better and better! Although, I can't imagine it being a greater experience than it already was.

After I got home, I was at Darcelle XV showplace to visit my friends, and Darcelle got me on stage and we both talked about Camp to the audience. (I first learned of the Camp after participating in a fund raiser for them earlier this year at Darcelle's.) Besides how wonderfully fantastic the Camp is, we talked about how more $$$ was needed to let more kids attend (they are there at no cost to their families), as well as more volunteers to continue the great specialized/individual attention these kids really enjoy. Members of the audience began coming up to the stage with money and I had $183.00 in my hand when I went back to my seat!!!! I was blown away!

But WAIT! There's more! The next night, at Darcelle's La Femme Magnifique International Pageant, Darcelle and I spoke again about the Camp, and announced that all of my tips from my performance would be donated to Camp Starlight. I was blown away by the response we received, $1042.00!!!! Combined with the previous nights $183.00 brought us to $1225. Thank you SO VERY MUCH to Darcelle and especially to all who gave so generously!

There were a few pledges made as well (One for $500!), I hope they all come in, I know the folks at Camp Starlight will appreciate it!

I've rambled on enough, it's just so hard to express what I'm feeling after the week with the greatest group of kids and adults.

Lots of you have expressed interest in knowing more about Camp Starlight, perhaps to donate or volunteer. I've requested informational packets be sent to me, if you're interested, respond to this e-mail, I'll get the info. to you. Or you may call WIAR (Women's Intercommunity AIDS Resource) at 503-238-4420. That is the great Women's organization who puts on Camp Starlight. They'd be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know about this very worthwhile cause.

Take care.............thanks for reading! xoxo Kevin/Poison