Micheal's Radical Transformation Began at Angel Tree Camp
“I was on my way to probably ending up like my dad. If it wasn’t for those opportunities as a counselor up at camp, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.” —Micheal
As a child, Micheal loved to argue. This frustrated the adults in his life.
To deal with the instability in his mother’s home, Micheal figured out early on that arguing with her made him feel better. He argued with his grandmother to get her to change her mind to let him go out with his friends. He argued with his teachers, challenging them constantly on the smallest points.
His father’s incarceration and the environment in his mother’s home led to Micheal’s grandparents stepping in to care for him. All of this instability created a combativeness in Micheal. His behavior showed no signs of improving, and in third grade, he began attending a disciplinary school.
It was in sixth grade that Micheal received an invitation to attend an Angel Tree camp for free. He was excited. It took some arguing with his grandmother to allow him to go, but she eventually agreed.
Before we know it, summer will be here! You can make a difference in the life of a child with your gift. For prisoners’ children, camp is a safe place to experience the great outdoors, make new friends, and just be kids! But most importantly, camp is where they can hear the Gospel and learn about our Lord and Savior. When you give today, you’ll make it possible for a child with a parent in prison to experience camp.
At the Academy, participants learned their purpose. Now, through an Academy graduate program, they have the tools to live out that purpose and impact their prisons from the inside out. See their impact.
