When Deb Kottel addresses Rotary on the subject of Camp Sky Child, she leaves us with full hearts and a deep desire to help, and her presentations at both evening and noon meetings in the last 10 days were no exception.

 

Since 1989 Camp Sky Child has offered children of incarcerated parents the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities at Camp Rotary. Operating out of what is now the University of Providence, Camp Sky Child has served more than 1500 students in that time.

 

At Camp Rotary these children enjoy a safe place in nature for self-discovery, reflection, and connection. They engage in activities that allow them to form meaningful relationships with peers and caring adults. They build skills in stress reduction, anger management, and conflict resolution. Perhaps most importantly they experience nourishing ways of living – swimming, camping, hiking, making music – that offer them healthier choices when they leave the camp.

 

“Many of these children have never gone camping, never gone fishing,” Deb reminded Rotarians. “The only thing they’ve seen adults do with their spare time is drink, do drugs, pass out. We want them to make better choices, but you cannot choose what you don’t know exists.” Deb thanked us profusely for allowing Camp Sky Child to use Camp Rotary free of charge. “Without your generosity,” she said, “we wouldn’t be able to do this work.”

 

It is good work. We can all be proud of the lives we are changing through Camp Rotary. Like Camp Francis, which helps children grieving the loss of a loved one at Camp Rotary, Camp Sky Child makes use of our resources to help traumatized children heal … and to see choices they never knew existed.