A chance to be kids

BY GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
6/19/12 at 7:19 AM

Jeff Mauldin has been part of the New Hope camps since age 9. Now a camp counselor, he credits the camp experience as life changing.

"It's so much fun, and it's done so many good things for my life," he said. "Through high school, it helped me stay positive."

All the children in the New Hope programs have or have had at least one parent in prison. The nonprofit organization New Hope Camp Inc. offers the summer camps and after-school programs for free.

"A lot of camps aren't going to address the whole incarceration issue," Mauldin said. "This helps you know you are not alone. No one is going to judge you, and you can be yourself."

Having a parent in prison can be isolating and can affect a child's self identity, Mauldin said.

"It made me question if I did something," he said. "Why did I have to have a parent in prison and other kids don't? Here I realized it was not my fault."

New Hope started as a mission of the Episcopal Church in Oklahoma out of a concern for the children left behind as parents went to prison. The first camp, in 1992, had a handful of volunteers and about six children between ages 8 and 12.

By 2000, the camp had grown to 40 children, and a counselor-in-training program began for 15- to 17-year-old campers. New Hope added after-school programs and special events such as holiday parties.

Five years ago, the mission broke off to become an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization.

This year, more than 400 students will be served in the camps and programs. For the first time, a waiting list was needed for the summer camps, which host 200 students in residential camps in Tulsa, Guthrie and Wewoka.

Also for the first time, a day camp was added this year for young elementary-age children. It is held at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Tulsa.

Statistically, children of incarcerated parents are more likely to face a variety of at-risk behaviors, from higher dropout rates to criminal activity, said Lindsay Fry-Geier, director of programs for New Hope.

The organization encourages the campers to participate in its other programs, as well, which also gives workers a chance to help families find needed community support. Even after parents return from prison, children can remain in the programs.

"The more points of contact we have with the kids, the better the outcomes, and we see the changes in them," said Fry-Geier. "We're giving them positive adults and a safe environment. They are getting to have fun and be a kid, especially since some of them have to grow up too fast.

"At the same time, we have an evidence-based, best-practices curriculum to help them with anger management, conflict resolution and other skills to help them overcome all those statistics they are going up against."

On the day camp's first day, Monday, only about 13 of the 25 enrolled children arrived, so staff members began calling guardians of the missing children.

"Transportation is a huge issue," said Fry-Geier. "We are going to see what we can do for them. We want the kids to be here."

At the same time, several teenagers who had been campers were waiting at Trinity Episcopal Church for a ride to the counselor-in-training program.

Seventeen-year-old Tomeshia Smith has been involved in New Hope since age 5 for a simple reason.

"We're all going through the same thing," she said. "I want to help kids and show them they are not alone. But we are also not all the same."

Rachel Hess, 16, has been a camper and participant in other programs since age 8 and said she wants to give other children the same opportunities she received.

"I thought a lot of adults thought I was a hoodlum," Hess said. "Just because we're kids doesn't mean we don't know and understand what is going on around us. This made me a stronger person."

She plans to become a marine biologist or mechanical engineer and jokes that she "isn't humble" about getting top grades in school.

"Without this, I may have been more rebellious toward my mom and foster parents," Hess said. "This definitely made a difference. I would probably have made other decisions, and they wouldn't have been good ones, either."

The residential camps have days filled with activities ranging from archery to swimming to games to arts and crafts. At night, a campfire sets the tone for reflection and discussion.

"This opened our minds to see the opportunities and that there are greater things out there different from our parents," Hess said.

Ginnie Graham 918-581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

E.J. Grant, 7, is chased by his brother, R.J. Grant, 6, during a game of Duck Duck Goose at New Hope day camp at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. The camp is for children of incarcerated parents. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

Kiaryn Taylor, 6, plays with a balloon at the New Hope day camp for elementary-age children, held at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

David Martin, 6, enjoys coloring at New Hope's day camp for young children of incarcerated parents. This is the first year the 21-year-old program has offered a camp for young children. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

Kiaryn Taylor, 6, plays with the hair of volunteer Rhonda Geier at New Hope's day camp. At left is Amaya Rivers, 7. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World