About Us

Hello. Camp David has been serving children of prisoners for 22 years.

Through prisoners’ families we have come to know the love and wisdom of God in a deeper way then we ever imagined. Although families of prisoners are likely the most fragile families in America, they also have the greatest potential because God’s power is most evident in our weakness. The greatest nuggets of truth throughout human history have been forged in the flames of adversity. We hope you will join us in unleashing the full potential found in prisoners’ families.

OUR GUIDING PHILOSOPHY

We are committed to extending grace and value to the children we serve, meeting their emotional and relational needs with tender care. Whether it's a patient counselor, an encouraging wrangler, or the cooks ensuring they are well-fed, our staff creates a place of healing. Every activity—from games and group sessions to one-on-one time—is designed to build the hope of Jesus in their hearts, giving these children the fortitude to face their challenges.

WHO WE SERVE

We serve some of the world's most fragile families and at-risk children, including foster kids, orphans, street kids, single parents, and, critically, children of the incarcerated.

Over 2.7 million children in America currently have a parent in prison—a ratio that rises to one in nine for African American children. This is just the beginning; 10 million children have been impacted by parental incarceration at some point in their lives. The emotional impact is shattering, as one mother summed up: "When my husband was sentenced to prison, I wasn’t broken—I was shattered.”

CORE CHALLENGES

Families affected by incarceration face profound obstacles:

Lonely Grief: Unlike other losses, communities often pull away, leaving families to grieve their loss (which can span a child’s entire adolescence) in isolation.
Overwhelming Shame: Shame is not "I made a mistake," but "I/we ARE a mistake." These families desperately need to be treated with dignity and respect.
Severe Financial Strain: With no safety net, families face a sudden, significant loss of income, legal fees, and the risk of eviction.

HOW WE HELP

Curriculum & Coaching: We develop quality, theme-based curriculum and training resources tailored for children of prisoners and foster kids, making it easier for communities to launch and run successful camps.
Local Summer Camps: Our camps directly address the challenges children of prisoners face through team building, fun activities, and specific sessions that equip campers with tools to succeed.
Family Retreats: Special retreats offer respite and vital group support for mothers and caregivers raising children with an incarcerated parent, allowing them to process pain with others who truly understand.

Indomitable Survivors and Bearers of Hope

Despite these profound challenges, we have watched countless families of prisoners overcome the odds and become beacons of hope to others. They rise up as leaders—modern-day Moseses and Harriet Tubmans—to guide others out of sadness and despair and toward their promised land.