(BOP) - FCI Cumberland, in partnership with the Hope House of Washington, DC, and in collaboration with the Bureau's Women and Special Populations Branch, hosted a week-long summer camp for children of incarcerated fathers. This event was held August 16, 2021 through August 20, 2021 and focused on structured family programming and interaction, key components of the Bureau's National Parenting Program.
The Hope House is a 23 year-old organization that provides programs and support for children of incarcerated parents. The summer camp program provides the children of incarcerated fathers the opportunity to develop communication skills, obtain emotional support and a memorable, program filled week that strengthens family ties. The camp provides the opportunity for the incarcerated fathers to spend 5 hours a day for 5 days with their children. The children, and Hope House volunteers, stayed at a nearby campground for the week allowing the children to enjoy additional recreational activities and form lasting friendships.
Each day the children arrived at the institution to participate in activities in the visiting room. The activities were designed to assist the fathers and their children in getting to know one another better and strengthen their family bonds. The activities included arts and crafts, creative writing, mural design, music, and dancing. The Education Department oversaw the summer camp program and did an excellent job in preparing the fathers for the week.
On Wednesday, August 18, the current Miss USA, Asya Branch, attended the summer camp for the day. Asya shared her experience of also being a child of an incarcerated father and mentored the children in one on one interactions. She spent the remainder of the day completing arts and crafts and bonding with the families. Several lucky children were able to wear the Miss USA sash and pose for photographs with Asya.
The camp ended on Friday, August 20, with a celebration of birthdays. It was an opportunity for the children to celebrate all of their missed birthdays with their fathers. The staff at FCI Cumberland, and the volunteers from the Hope House, did an outstanding job making the summer camp a successful parenting event - as seen in the video provided by Miss USA capturing the highlights from her visit.