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A Ministry of the |
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Val Hymes Task Force Coordinator valhymes@aol.com 410-224-2478 |
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Camp Amazing Grace, Class of 2009 |
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To enlarge group photo, click here |
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To read all about the 2008 camp, plus links to hundreds of pictures and stories of all the past camps, |
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CAG 2009 Campers Plant Love
By Val Hymes
Twenty-three children at Camp Amazing Grace 2009 said, “Yes I Can!” to a new, more diverse staff team, new activities and new experiences because of our partnerships with the parishes and the community this year.
In its fourth year, this ministry to children with parents caught in the criminal justice system was held at the Bishop Claggett Center June 28-July 3. For the first time, a Back-to-School Reunion was scheduled Aug. 15, not only for the children but for their families at the Diocesan Center.
While the camp’s partnership with the Bishops’ Appeal is a cornerstone of support, churches and individuals from the diocese and the community stepped up to help this year, not only with donations and scholarships for campers, but also with volunteers.
The 18-member staff team was led by Will Pass, administrative director, Rick Conover, staff director, and Holly Pass, program director. Deacon Patrick Arey, 2008 director, served in an advisory role.
A dozen more activity leaders came from a dozen more churches to spend one day “spreading the ministry even farther through the diocese,” said Conover. ”We had a well-structured, excellent staff.” Other staff members also represented different denominations in new partnerships. They included three teachers, a former principal, a social worker, a guidance counselor, two deacons and a priest.
For the children, it was a kaleidoscope of new, bright experiences and old familiar favorites. For the first time, they paddled canoes on the pond, went on a nature hike with Maryellen Bodnar, took a tour of a farm on a hayride, and learned about a slave family that lived there from Orion Jones, St. Philip‘s, Annapolis. Fishing with Ken McElroy, swimming and the ropes course were perennial favorites.
The children built bluebird boxes with Deacon John Martin Jr., who brought with him wood prepared by youths he teaches at a juvenile facility.
They planted a tree and made stepping stones for the garden. “They left their mark at the Claggett Center for years to come,” said Pass. They also learned a new camp song from the Rev. Ken Phelps and Deborah Watson; they danced with the Nu World Ensemble and served each other meals. Each day‘s activities were based on the letters from I CAN: including others, communicating courteously, accepting responsibility and noticing others’ uniqueness. The children were rewarded with beads and a chance to douse the counselors with water balloons at the end of the week.
“I feel like one of the children when I’m there,” said Marshella Riddick, social worker. Joel, 8, said he most liked “kunwing on the lake.”
The closing Eucharist celebrated by the Rev. Glenna Reed, St. Luke’s, Baltimore, included blessings with a branch and holy water. Conover based his homily on Philip 4:13: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” He told the children, “God is always with you.” |
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Mother Nature Will Reign at CAG 2010 The children at Camp Amazing Grace this summer will focus on the environment during the week of June 27- July 2 at the Bishop Claggett Center. Craft projects will be designed to show the campers how nature can work for them.
The camp for children of prisoners is in its fifth year of working to break the cycle of children following their parents into prison. Returning campers have reported reaching honor rolls and gifted and talented classes and earning scholarships.
Daily themes will include the environment, communication, listening, team building, decision making and leadership. Planned activities include the ropes course, a nature scavenger hunt, canoeing, fishing, music, sports, astronomy, juggling, acting, dancing and worship.
Camp leaders will also call on Michael Jackson for the camp theme, “I can make a change” using the song, “Man in the Mirror,” with lyrics saying, “I'm starting with the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways … ”
Camp Amazing Grace is sponsored by the Prison Ministry Task Force and is led by the executive team of Rick Conover, St. John’s, Ellicott City, and Linda Rines, St. James’ Parish, Lothian. Camp director is Will Pass, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore. -- Val Hymes |
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A dedicated staff brought special skills plus caring to camp. For the full story about the diverse and dedicated staff, plus pictures, click here. |
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S’mores and Slaves
The program for the children was based on the theme of “Yes I Can” with each day based on a lesson in civility from the words I CAN. It was designed by Program Director Holly Pass, Crafts Director Susan Yurek and Lisa Stone, a teaching colleague of Holly’s.
The themes were I to include others, C to communicate courteously, A to accept responsibility, and N to notice others uniqueness. For example, when building birdhouses or planting a tree, the children had to communicate in order to work successfully as a team. And when they went on the field trip to a farm, they were asked to accept responsibility for their behavior. They were rewarded with a bead when they displayed a characteristic of the theme, earning them the chance to douse the counselors with water balloons.
In crafts, said Will, “They made various items that also demonstrated a form of civility throughout the week. From the birdhouses with John Martin, to the stepping stones, to planting the CAG tree. They left their mark at the Claggett center for years to come!!”
Messages about the dangers of gangs were part of the Nu World Ensemble of city teens who danced, sang and drummed in the barn. Magician Hugh Turley sprinkled his magic with words of safety advice, and the songs of the Rev. Ken Phelps and Deborah Watson of All Saints’, Sunderland. “We had a great time,” said Ken. They wrote a new song – but the kids remembered and requested some of the old ones.
The children on the nature hikes led by science Maryellen Bodner, Epiphany, Odenton, left messages on the trail for the next team. And Orion Jones, St. Philip’s, Annapolis. Made the story of the slave family who lived there come alive.
Then there was just plain fun. There was a campfire and S’mores treats, the Water Olympics in the pool, kickball, dodge ball and touch football. On the last night, they performed skits.
“The skits that I saw were really cute and funny,” said Pass. “The best was that they were all focused on the theme for the week, I CAN. After the skits and the graduation at the closing ceremony we went outside and they had a water balloon battle with the counselors. It was so funny! They really liked that!” |
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For an extensive photo gallery of the 2009 camp, click here |
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Mission and Goals Camp Amazing Grace is an oasis of care for children 8-12 years old whose parents are incarcerated. They are: ▪ loved and accepted; ▪ given the gift of a week away from the routines of everyday life; ▪ invited to spend restorative time enjoying the beauty of God's creation; ▪ encouraged to embrace their own creativity and develop life skills; ▪ offered new supportive friendships; and ▪ given the opportunity to share the love of God for all people. |
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Downloads are available for staff and camper applications and promotional materials |