Camp Genesis
By Emily Lyons, Chair of Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry
September is Prison Awareness Month in the Diocese of Arizona. Throughout the month, Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry invites you to learn more about ways that members of this parish and others throughout the diocese provide support for incarcerated people and their families.
This Sunday, September 15, is Camp Genesis Sunday, so this week’s article highlights this diocese-run summer camp that serves children and youth with family members in prison.
A Week of Fun and Fellowship
Last May, Saint Philip’s parishioners raised over $1,000.00 to help cover the cost of supplies for this year’s campers. Upon arriving at camp this past June, each camper was welcomed with a brand new backpack stuffed with summer fun essentials: a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, a beach towel, sunglasses, and more. This kicked off a week full of art, music, and outdoor adventures in the beautiful pine forest. One highlight for this year’s campers was a 4th of July picnic complete with traditional games, a cupcake eating contest, and sparklers.
More Than Just Memories
Camp Genesis is a special experience for kids who live with the pain and stigma of having a loved one behind bars. But Camp Genesis is about more than making memories. It provides kids in need with the ongoing support and encouragement they need to thrive. A network of volunteers from churches throughout the diocese checks in with campers and their families throughout the year, sustaining the connections made at camp.
The Angel Tree Connection
This year, Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry aims to do more in support of Camp Genesis. One way is by bringing Angel Tree to Saint Philip’s. This is an initiative of Prison Fellowship that connects incarcerated parents with volunteers at a partner church to provide Christmas gifts for their children.
According to Prison Policy Initiative, nearly half of people in state prisons are parents with at least one child under the age of 18. The vast majority of these parents will eventually leave prison. However, the years they spend separated from their children can place tremendous strain on these relationships and cause lasting emotional harm. Angel Tree helps to relieve the strain on these families and gives these parents a way to stay in their children’s lives and show their love.
More than a one-time gesture, Angel Tree can be the start of a journey toward healing for families touched by incarceration. Another part of that journey? Camp Genesis. Many future campers first learn about Camp Genesis through participating in Angel Tree in their local communities.
If you want to learn more about how you can join Saint Philip’s Prison Ministry in supporting Camp Genesis, Angel Tree, or both, contact Emily Lyons at elyons@arizona.edu or Kyle Kim-Hays at k2hays@gmail.com.
Next week…
11:30am Sunday Forum with Innocence Project Director, Vanessa Buch
Dr. Buch is a law professor, human rights lawyer, and the founder and director of the Innocence Project at the University of Arizona. We hope you will join us for what is sure to be an eye-opening conversation about the realities of our criminal justice system.