Angel Tree Camping Gives Prisoners' Children a 'Safe Place'

Angel Tree^® treats thousands of prisoners’ children to Christian summer camp for a week of great fun, new friends, new experiences—and new hope that profoundly impacts their futures and their families.

For the nation’s 2.7 million children with a parent in prison, camp is more than just a fun experience. Angel Tree Camping^® helps send children to Christian camping partners nationwide, where they have opportunities to fellowship with their peers, realizing they are not alone in their struggles. Caring counselors really listen, and campers have a safe place to share their heavy emotional burdens and find healing. Each camper receives their own Bible, and many children will make a first-time decision to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or deepen their commitment to Him.

In June 2019, children in Texas attended Frontier Camp—one of 188 experienced, Christian Angel Tree Camping partners in 42 states. Campers there learned to ride horses, memorized Bible verses, jumped in the lake, and praised God during chapel services.

Oscar, a graduate of the Prison Fellowship Academy^® and a former Angel Tree dad, volunteered as a counselor and worship leader at Frontier Camp. “When I was a kid, my mom sold drugs,” says Oscar. “A camp like this would have helped me stay on the right track. … For me, the biggest blessing, year after year, is to see these kids grow. To donors, I would say it’s definitely worth it.”

This year, your generosity gave more than 6,000 children of prisoners a pathway to camps like these.