Children of incarcerated parents often lead lives that are severely disrupted due to loss and separation of the family unit. These children, often scattered throughout the country and placed in care of foster families, can suffer from patterns of misdirected anger and behavior problems. The arts are often overlooked as an healthy alternative to leisure time activity. Participation in Camp Share arts activity has the potential to stimulate interest in arts adventures beyond the exposure provided by this proposal. Camp Sunrise, a youth bereavement camp for 40 children suffering from separation and loss.
Bereaved children have a very limited access to art resources.
Without the ability to express their feelings access is very limited. In school the creative nature is very structured, at a bereavement camp the focus would be feelings and expressing those feelings. Accessibility is limited by financial issues and parent validation. Children 7-14 haven't the financial resources and most parents don't identify the arts as an important part of the child's development and expression. Due to limited access and successes of previous arts programming at PWCC and Camp Share this proposal addresses the need to develop sustainable arts activities for at risk populations.