In Milwaukee children grow up without ample opportunity to build trust, understanding, and empathy with those who are different from them. Camp Kindred is an intentional summer camp community that brings together children of different race, ethnicity, and economic advantage. We create a safe environment where children separated by segregation can build meaningful and enduring relationships.

Our Mission
At Camp Kindred we believe that we are better together. We work together to disrupt the cycle of racial and economic segregation in Milwaukee by building meaningful and enduring relationships with children, families, and communities of different race and economic advantage.

How?
We will bring together children, guardians, and camp counselors from the city of Milwaukee who currently lack ample opportunity to connect. Through an intentional overnight camp experience, we will learn to build confidence in who we are, and to celebrate the diversity of others. With this foundation, we will then provide countless opportunities for children, parents, and staff to build meaningful relationships with their new friends. We will partner closely with schools and youth serving programs so the relationships built at camp can continue to thrive back home, disrupting the current pattern of insular relationship building within segregated communities.

Why Summer Camp?
Because we don’t have a lot of time. Many children in Milwaukee will spend most of the year with other children who look and live like them. The overnight summer camp experience is a potent catalyst for meaningful relationship building and emotional growth. In a novel and natural environment, where the field is level, children quickly begin to reach out to and rely on their cabin mates. They play and test and question their new environment. They respond to challenges alongside new friends. This is a recipe that is difficult to achieve in other youth development programs, and one that facilitates the relationship building necessary to counteract the effects of segregation.

Our Outcomes

• Self-Esteem: The first step is exploring and building confidence in our own single story, and learning to love ourselves for exactly who we are.
• Empathy: We will learn to truly Know one another with a capital “K.” We will learn to listen to other’s stories. We will work to appreciate others for exactly who they are, and to celebrate our infinite differences.
• Relationships: We will start by having tons of fun together at camp. We will play together, learn together, eat together, and share a living space together. We will think and tinker and laugh together. We will re-encounter each other, one true self to another.

Our Inputs

• People: Campers of different race and economic advantage. Caring adult role models who guide and don't judge.
• Place: A safe, beautiful, natural environment, that provides common ground for genuine connection.
• Program: Programming that maximizes opportunity to connect, share stories, have fun, and create memories together.