Friends who Understand

Cathy is only 10 years old, but already she knows terms like “class A felony,” “sentencing hearing,” and “the possibility of parole.” Her father‘s imprisonment has strained her relationship with her mother and left her with low self-esteem and feelings of shame. To make matters worse, the kids at school treat her differently now and her family‘s recent financial strain further alienates her from her peers. So Cathy tends to keep to herself and doesn‘t make new friends.

Cathy isn‘t alone. Her struggles are typical of the thousands of children all over the world who suffer silently because one or both of their parents are in prison. Prison Fellowship Australia‘s Kamp for Kids seeks to help such children by bringing them together in a positive, nurturing environment. PF Australia has been operating this unique camping programme in New South Wales and Western Australia, and now it has recently been launched in Victoria.

The first Kamp for Kids held in Victoria late last year included 23 children of prisoners ages 8-11 and 15 volunteer camp leaders. After the kids filed out of the bus that took them to a scenic campground on the Victoria coastline, they immediately became immersed in the non-stop activities PF had prepared for them.  The children took part in physical challenges, including an “Olympics” events programme and a Tai Chi session, specially designed relationship building exercises, and classes on Christian living.

The activities proved immensely successful, filling an innate need the kids had to relate to others in their same circumstances.  “I like the kids in this camp heaps better than kids at school,” said one happy camper, “we got on straight away.” The children were also given the opportunity to create crafts to give to their parents in prison. Some took the extra initiative of writing heartfelt letters to their incarcerated parents, which they left with the volunteers for delivery.  And one of the most lasting benefits for the kids was the opportunity to form strong friendships with others. “So many phone numbers were exchanged between the kids at the end of the camp,” noted one of the volunteer leaders.

With statistics demonstrating that children of prisoners are six times more likely than other children to be imprisoned themselves one day, PF Australia‘s Kamp for Kids could not serve a more important purpose. Providing such children with a positive experience in which to build good relationships will help them overcome their challenging circumstances. “In conceiving the idea of Kamp for Kids, our dream was to provide an opportunity for the children to experience the love of God and the love of others in a new environment,” explains Richard Whaley, PF Australia‘s Executive Director in Victoria. And now children like Cathy are benefiting from that dream.