Kids Across America (KAA) recently held a summer camp in Golden, partnering with Prison Fellowship to host a five-day camp experience for children of incarcerated parents.
KAA, a Christian sports camp located on 240 acres on Table Rock Lake, features three camps and a leadership development program for youth, ages 10-19. Campers experience outrageous fun with a healthy dose of encouragement and leave knowing they truly can do all things through Christ, who strengthens them.
The KAA experience provides healthy outdoor activities such as zip lines, challenge courses, climbing walls, water sports, and athletics along with great food and campfires. Randy Odom, KAA president, said Kids Across America (KAA) is a one-of-a-kind, life-changing Christian sports camp dedicated to youth from urban cities across America.
“It provides a joyful and faith-filled environment where kids can be free from electronic devices and social media for five days,” Odom said. “KAA offers these young people unexpected pathways to success in a constantly encouraging environment.”
All Prison Fellowship Angel Tree participants receive scholarships and attend free of charge for the full summer camp.
“Prison Fellowship Angel Tree equips churches to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children and support the families of incarcerated individuals year-round. Angel Tree provides an opportunity for local congregations to extend the hope of the Gospel and enfold Angel Tree families into church life through delivering Christmas gifts on behalf of incarcerated parents, sending kids to summer camp, facilitating one-day sports camps, and more.
“The Angel Tree partnership is crucial because many children of incarcerated parents feel at fault for their parents’ situation,” Odom said. “KAA has a heart for these kids, especially those who have lost hope or given up on themselves. Through this partnership, KAA lets these children know that Jesus loves them and so do we.
“The partnership with Angel Tree came about organically. KAA recognized the demographic it serves and the issues these children face. By reaching out to Angel Tree, we believed that working together could impact many more kids in need.”
The overall goal of the camp, Odom said is to minister to the future leaders of the country.
“The urban areas of America shape the culture, and these kids are the future leaders,” he said. “By ministering to Angel Tree campers, we help them lead hopeful, positive lives that can impact their families, neighborhoods, and cities in meaningful ways. We hope that Angel Tree campers gain a renewed sense of hope, faith, and joy. We want them to leave KAA feeling empowered and encouraged, ready to positively impact their lives and communities.”
Prison Fellowship, KAA’s partner, is the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit equipping the Church to serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and to advocate for justice and human dignity both inside and outside of prison. With nearly 50 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society. Find out more at PrisonFellowship.org.
“We appreciate our partnership with Kids Across America (KAA) summer camp, which provides kids of incarcerated parents with the opportunity to experience five enriching days of faith, friendship, and fun in a beautiful environment,” said Betsy Wright, senior director, Angel Tree Every Day.
