Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Good Stuff in TEC: South Carolina


Special Camp For Kids

As we head into the summer months - many parents look for summer camps to send their children to while out of school..but for some families the cost of camp may not be an option - especially if one of the parents is incarcerated. Now there’s a camp that could give those kids a chance for some summer fun free of charge. Summer camp - it’s almost a rite of passage for a kid…but not every child has that opportunity. It can be especially difficult financially for kids who may need it the most…those who have a parent behind bars. “So often that’s not what’s part of their life story or situation and so they get a wonderful experience. We use a vacation bible school format and we have a lot of activities - it is a campground that is just wonderful.” The Reverend Cheryl Parris is talking about Kamp Phun - a one week summer getaway for children who have a parent incarcerated or recently released. “It doesn’t matter their class or color or story - if they’re between the ages of 9 and 12 - we have a camp for them.

It’s a camp dedicated to fun - not the home situation. Children get to sample things they may not otherwise experience. Best of all - it doesn’t cost the family a dime. “Churches in the Episcopal Diocese are giving us - they’re sponsoring children - they’re paying for the food - they’re paying for gifts for the kids,” says Rev. Parris. Held the last week in July at the Honey Creek Conference Center in Waverly - it’s open to 40 children from throughout the state of Georgia. Reverend Parris says last year no family from Savannah applied - she’s hoping that changes this summer.

More here-

http://www.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/special_camp_for_kids/12630/

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