COMMENTARY: A heavenly retreat for inner-city kids

c. 1998 Religion News Service GOLDEN, Mo. _ The hand-painted signs tacked to rural fence posts are the only indication the dusty country road leads to the Kids Across America camp. These understated introductions belie the state-of-the-art sports camp that sits just over another hill. Most of the kids have traveled hundreds of miles on […]

c. 1998 Religion News Service

GOLDEN, Mo. _ The hand-painted signs tacked to rural fence posts are the only indication the dusty country road leads to the Kids Across America camp. These understated introductions belie the state-of-the-art sports camp that sits just over another hill.

Most of the kids have traveled hundreds of miles on school buses to reach this place. While driving over the gravel roads they must have wondered if the long journey would be worth it. But after entering the camp gates, they will be light years from their typical summer experience.


The Kids Across America camp lies in the midst of the rolling hills and endless waterways of the Ozarks. It is a camp for inner-city kids more accustomed to concrete and street lights than lakes and forests.

This haven teaches athletics and gives young people an opportunity to explore the great outdoors. But, more importantly, the camp experience helps inner-city young people come to the knowledge that they are children of God.

But the task is made difficult because most of the children, who range in age from 10 to 18, have never really had the chance to be children at all. They have been made adult-tough, struggling to survive in their poor and often violent world.

Some have already joined gangs; many have dabbled in drugs; and some of the girls worry about getting pregnant. “Most of them walk off the bus with a real attitude,”says T.R. Santos, the camp director.”It’s amazing to see them get back on that bus a week later with tears in their eyes, hugging people they once glared at.” The transformation that occurs during their stay at Kids Across America comes about through a heavy dose of love and a relentless breaking down of the walls that have imprisoned these children.

Typically, the kids come to camp as a group from a particular city. But as soon as they arrive, they are separated and assigned to cabins according to age groups, staying with kids from other cities, backgrounds and ethnic groups. Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and white kids live, learn and play together. Some experience for the first time a friendship with someone outside their circle.

They learn to depend on one another as they participate in physical activities designed to build trust. Courage here is measured differently than in the streets. They learn to wrestle and sail, canoe and play tennis. Along the way, they learn to trust people they hardly know, people they might have once thought of as enemies.

And they learn about God, too. They see how valuable they are in the greater scheme of things. They come to understand that gangs are not the only way to gain a sense of belonging. And they learn Bible verses to help them resist temptations when they return home.


The colorful posters adorning the camp include street-hip sayings that get the young people to think about what they value in life. The current theme _”Whatcha lookin’ 4?”_ is explored through rap music, high-energy skits and pointed talks given by leaders who have lived on the streets and know the score.”This is not an easy place to work,”Santos admits.”We try to bring in counselors who really know what life is like for kids in the inner city. People who haven’t been there have a hard time dealing with the kind of pressures these kids face.” At the same time, the camp offers a little rest and relaxation for the youth leaders who have accompanied the kids from the city.

Working with the leaders _ or”kaleos”as they are called here _ means giving them some much needed time to study, regroup and problem-solve with leaders from other cities. And they are counseled on ways to follow up on the camp experience, keeping the kids on the straight and narrow path when they return.”Kaleos means `called one’ in Greek and that’s how we view these folks who give their lives to work with inner-city kids,”says Santos.”A very important part of our mission is supporting these leaders.” Kids Across America is nondenominational but decidedly Christian: The heart of the camp’s philosophy is that without spiritual transformation these kids don’t even have a chance at survival.

And in its eight years of operation, the camp has some impressive success stories. Some kids have left gangs. Others who never thought they would finish high school are now going to college. And others who came to camp as kids on the verge of destruction have returned as counselors and role models for a new generation of campers.

Kids Across America is supported mostly from private donations, with some funds coming through foundation grants. Still, every summer the staff wonders if there will be enough money to finish the season. But each year”the Lord provides,”says Santos.

No matter what struggles Santos and the rest of the staff face, they know it pales in comparison to what each of these kids goes through just to survive one day in the city.

And as the kids reboard their buses and pull out onto the dusty rural road to return home, most are on a journey back to a life that can seem hopeless and unfair. But for one extraordinary week, they have glimpsed heaven.


Eds: Contact Kids Across America at 417-271-4503, or write Route 1, Box 1288, Golden, Mo., 65658.

MJP END BOURKE

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