Kids Across America (KAA) is a special camp for inner-city youth, allowing them to experience a week of fun and fellowship in the Ozarks. KAA welcomes approximately 4,000 campers, along with 1,500 adult mentors, divided into nine one-week sessions each summer, with a goal of building Christian leaders by encouraging, equipping and empowering urban youth through camping and education.
A special group of campers recently joined in the fun at Kids Across America.
"We partnered with Prison Fellowship to host children participating in Angel Tree Camp, and other youth from our region from June 23-27," explained KAA CEO Randy Odom. "We welcomed 45 Angel Tree campers during session four. During this session, we had a total of 553 campers and 83 Kaleos, the adult mentors who bring campers to KAA. Campers, including Angel Tree campers, ages range from 10 to 18."
The Angel Tree campers are youth who have a parent—or parents— incarcerated. The program allows the children to experience fun and fellowship and the love of God.
Odom explained how youth are chosen to attend the Angel Tree Camp—or any of the KAA sessions.
"Campers, including Angel Tree campers, are selected on a first-come, first-served basis," said Odom. "Adult mentors, called Kaleos, recruit youth from their respective areas, register the campers, and bring them to camp. Dee Miller, a KAA Board of Directors member and long-time Kaleo, organized Angel Tree campers from Muskogee and other parts of Oklahoma. Dee retired from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 2019 and has a heart for prison ministry. In total, she brought 45 Angel Tree campers. She worked through a school that serves kids of incarcerated parents and a ministry of Muskogee."
While this group of Angel Tree campers were from Oklahoma, Kids Across America campers and future Angel Tree campers will travel to the Branson area from literally everywhere. Said Odom, "This summer we will have 27 states and 305 cities represented."
Campers may choose from many activities, depending on their likes.
"KAA offers swimming pool activities such as water slides, blobs, trapeze bars over the pool, basketball, baseball, football, golf, volleyball, cheer, pickleball, team challenge courses, high adventure ropes courses, archery, bicycling, frisbee golf, tubing, canoeing, fishing, slip-n-slides, zip lining, climbing walls, team competitions, evening parties, art, dance, singing and tons of opportunities for devotionals and biblical teachings," said Odom. "The Angel Tree campers experienced the same activities as any other campers. We hope that Angel Tree campers gained a renewed sense of hope, faith and joy. We want them to leave KAA feeling empowered and encouraged, ready to positively impact their lives and communities."
Odom said that the recent Angel Tree camp was a success.
"It was a positive experience for the campers," Odom noted. "Their Kaleo, Dee Miller, called me Friday evening at 9 p.m. to report that all made it home safely and that the kids sang and laughed all the way back to Muskogee and Oklahoma City."
Odom also shared some comments he heard from one of the Angel Tree campers.
"Kylee, age 15, experienced her first time at camp. She is hesitant to go to new places, but shared she was proud of herself for 'getting out of her comfort zone.’ Kylee admitted she thought it would be 'kind of boring' since it was a Christian camp. After spending a week at KAA she said, 'It was beyond my expectations.' Kylee loved 'celebrating Jesus while having so much fun,’" said Odom. "Kylee said 'KAA has helped me get closer to God. I literally felt like I had a weight lifted off my shoulders. KAA is a place to bring you closer to God and other people. You'll make new friends. You'll have great experiences. You'll feel joyful. You'll get hype—and you can take all of this back home and share with others how to learn the love of God and celebrate Him.'"
Located in nearby Golden, KAA employs 43 full-time staff members and 440 summer staff to handle the many youth who have the opportunity to experience Kids Across America.
Odom noted, "KAA's week of hosting Angel Tree campers was a huge success. We were honored to have the opportunity to pour into and encourage these young people for the entire week. KAA and Angel Tree are just scratching the surface. We hope to welcome hundreds of Angel Tree campers next year."
While Angel Tree Camp is over for this summer, there are still opportunities for youth to enjoy KAA.
Said Odom, "There are still a few camper spaces left for this summer, and KAA will open registration this fall for summer 2025. If you know of campers that need this experience, please reach out to marlene@kaakamps.org for more information."
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