This year’s camp was a huge success!
Listen to some of the beautiful work created during the camp:
Sung by campers age 9 - 11
Sung by campers age 12 - 15
Keys to Life has created a unique no cost opportunity for children of previously or currently incarcerated parents. A special summer camp filled to the brim with fun activities. Urban and Rural children are invited. All expenses paid!
July 27-August 1, 2025. Camp Gorsuch in Eagle River.
Reach out to keystolifealaska@gmail.com with questions.
-
July 27-August 1, 2025
VISION
Sun Rise Camp for Children of Incarcerated Parents is a newly established initiative to foster a positive and supportive atmosphere. The primary goal of the camp is to encourage healthy communication among children whose parents are currently or previously incarcerated. The camp aims to create a secure and nurturing environment, offering trauma-informed activities such as visual art, music, pottery, poetry, puppetry, and workshops to help children develop resilience skills and navigate their emotional well-being.
Sun Rise CAMP Activities:
Hip Hop Dance - Engaging and empowering high-energy dance class, youth will explore Hip Hop, Caribbean, and West African styles while learning to channel emotions through powerful movement. From heavy beats to bold steps, every session is a chance for self-expression, confidence-building, and collective healing — all through the art of dance. Darla Roundtree, Sankofa Dancer Theater
Art and Poetry
Plein Air painting with watercolors will involve different watercolor techniques to paint a landscape inspired by the natural surroundings of the area. The following session includes writing a poem to help bring the landscape to life.
Julie Graham, Art by Julie GG.Puppet Making: Puppetry is a unique powerful activity for children of incarcerated parents because it allows them to express emotions safely through characters, helping them process trauma, build empathy, and develop a sense of control and creativity in a non-threatening, playful way. The students will develop a story to be performer the last day of camp. Puppetry is a very valuable tool in education. It's powers to express, to heal and to connect are boundless and speak to all cultures and ages. It allows us to move with ease from the head to the heart. Professional Puppeteer Salila Kubitza will teach you to bring Puppets to life. She will guide participants to create 4 string Marionettes and props. Students will work together in small groups. Join the fun while being immersed in the art of Puppetry - Salida Andrea, Krambambuli Puppet Theatre
Pottery: a therapeutic engagement for children because it provides a sense of self, promotes mindfulness, and provides a calming, hands-on way to express emotions and build self-esteem through creating something tangible and lasting. Children pottery will be fired and glazed and give to children. Erin Cockreham, Turnagain Ceramics
Day One: Pinch pot vessels. Feeling the clay and getting to know it. Students can customize their vessels to create a cup, bowl, or even a little planter. This is mostly an exercise to get them feeling the clay seeing what it’s all about. Students are welcome to keep or squish this piece. - Erin Cockreham, Turnagain Ceramics
Day Two: Pinch pot monsters (Pt 1). Clay monsters! Students will take the time to create the monster of their dreams (or nightmares). This will take the most time so students will have a multi-day experience most sculptors work with.
Day Three: Pinch pot monsters (Pt 2). Finalizing the monsters! If all pieces are attached now is the time to start carving into them and giving them texture.
Day Four: Pocket Pals. Making small animals that they can keep tucked away in their pocket as a good luck charm or worry stone, but they will also have the option of adding a loop into it and turning them into a charm or necklace.
Overall students will be able to keep 2-3 pieces depending on their own preferences and standards. We'll collect their glaze preferences from the options we'll bring for each project and they can expect their pieces back in 3-4 weeks.
Song Writing Just for Fun - Just for Fun! is an evidence-based treatment to help children deal with abuse and depression and teach coping skills (my.clevelandclinic.org). Music can access the part of the brain that builds emotional intelligence and releases pent-up stress. Music will be used to support children’s access to their trauma experiences, to comfort them, and to give language to non-verbal outlets for emotions. The children will write songs expressing their feelings. Jonathan Heynen
Mobile Museum: The mobile museum without walls program and dream big for our future. It's another step in our journey towards children seeing future for themselves. The children can give voice to their experiences. Brennon Lands, Anchorage with museum without walls
Drinking Water Workshop: Hands-on planting activity to learn how to do self-care. Kendalyn Mckisick, Creative Space
Talking Circles – This activity is a planned therapist session designed by a license practitioner.Children will have an opportunity to share anything fun that’s happening in their lives.
Talent Show and Karaoke: Children can sing, share stories, appropriate jokes, skits, read poetry, and juggling activities. Simply a fun appropriate evening.
Structured Outside Activity (Nature Hiking) This will allow children to disconnect from screens, connect with nature, and discover themselves.
Note: Behavioral Counselor will be a part of the staff to support children.
Eligibility Requirements: Ages 11 to 13 years children with parents currently incarcerated or previously. There will be some 14 years old included.