Teen Reach
Adventure Camp
What can happen in 3 days? Lives Can Change!
Teen Reach Adventure Camp is HOPE. TRAC is a national organization, with camps represented in several states. TRAC Tuscaloosa focuses on providing a foundation of God’s love and provision to at risk youth in the foster care/DHR community. These youth hold trauma, abuse, neglect, and more; but when they leave camp, they know they are not alone. Our savior walks with them. They learn to depend on teamwork to accomplish their goals, how to overcome adversity, and how to excel. They also get to have fun. Campers fish, climb, paint, boat, swim, play, and just get to be kids.
Through the mentorship program, the positive relationships built at camp are able to extend into their daily lives as needed.
Stories From Camp
He was not scheduled to come to camp. He was found 2 days prior to camp while visiting another home I work with. The only “family” he knew had been shot and killed one year prior. It was the drug dealer he was a runner for. He was put into a home placement with 5 other kids. There is not enough food. The family placement is never home. He is in trouble with the law for theft of food and property to provide for the kids. He hadn’t bathed in weeks and hasn’t slept in a bed in years.
He wouldn’t eat a plate of food because he felt undeserving. At camp, the first thing he did was get a shower and we washed his clothes. Someone sat and ate each meal with him, off the same plate so he would feel he wasn’t taking too much. He slept in a bed and self reports being so proud that he didn’t soil himself in the night like he usually does. He found out who God is and that he isn’t alone. He prayed for the first time.
Camper J has spent his entire 14 years under repeated sexual abuse and exploitation. Mother is a drug addict and let her son be abused by the males she brings in to the home to provide for them. He is in and out of DHR. No family will take him. His most recent abuse ended in March. He soils himself to attempt to make himself no wanted. He has attempted suicide multiple times. He is alone in the world in his mind. At camp, he showered. He slept through the night. He made a friend and saw what a healthy older male should treat him like. He accepted Christ. He laughed and smiled which is something I haven’t seen in 1 year of working with his family.
Adopted 2 years ago. Unable to deal with her past trauma and unable to refrain from physically hurting others. She faced 36 placements in her 12 years in foster care. Her sexual abuse started at age 3. She has a juvie record a mile long. Already an avid drug and alcohol user to self medicate. At camp, she slept through the night. She stood up for a smaller younger camper and used her words and techniques to help that camper. She broke completely and committed her life and her story to God to help other kids. She said she knows she is to use her story to help others one day. She went 3 days not physically negatively touching anyone.
She was not scheduled to attend camp. The case worker came up to me and told me she knew I wouldn’t say no if she could just get her there. She is under protection and going by an assumed name. We took her to camp of course! She immediately latched on to learning all she could about God. After Hue shared her testimony so many campers were facing so much of their trauma, the staff were truly overwhelmed trying to tend to every camper. She calmly walked from camper to camper and asked to pray with them like we had taught her. She ushered peace with an act of worship that she had learned just 24 hours ago. She has committed her life to Christ.
How Can You Help?
- Who attends T.R.A.C.? What ages?
Youth who are in or have been in foster care between the ages of 12 thru 15. This includes youth who have been reunited with biological families or adopted. - When and how long is T.R.A.C.?
We have two separate camps – one for boys and one for girls. Each camp is three days (early Friday morning through late Sunday afternoon). - Where is T.R.A.C.?
We prefer to keep the exact location limited to only those that must know. This is for the safety and confidentiality of the campers. Case workers can be provided this information if deemed necessary. - What does T.R.A.C. cost?
We want to provide this camp as a service to the youth and foster families and therefore we do not charge to attend our camp. - Is T.R.A.C. a religious camp? If so, do campers have to share the same views to attend?
We are a faith-based camp. However, we do not proselytize and we welcome campers of all religious views. We respect their right to believe as they choose. Our curriculum provided by the Teen Reach National Headquarters is based on characters in the Bible to encourage, inspire and grow character in the youth who attend T.R.A.C. The curriculum offers positive life lessons in overcoming difficult circumstances regardless of their belief system. - What activities are available for youth at T.R.A.C.?
Activities include but are not limited to; archery, hiking, caving, activities/crafts center and challenge course. The challenge course is an integral part of Teen Reach Adventure Camps as this is a place where campers are challenged to greater trust and teamwork. They have fun and it allows them to connect more quickly to their fellow campers and counselors.