Angel Tree Sports Camp Offers Fun, Training for Children with Incarcerated Parents

First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Family Life Center was filled with children coaches and bouncing basketballs on Saturday, May 25, during the Angel Tree Sports Camp, sponsored by Prison Fellowship.

Founded in 1976 by Watergate conspirator Charles Colson, Prison Fellowship has worked with more than 250,000 students ages 7-to-17 and on Saturday there were many testimonials mixed in with basketball drills, Nike shoes, and gift bags filled with bibles and other items.

“Coming here to serve children with incarcerated parents with prison fellowship is so significant to me,” said  Dr. Carmelle T. Norice-Tra. “It happened to me more than 30 years ago. I had  a  dad who was serving a 99-year sentence.”

Despite her plight, Norice-Tra said to herself, “All things are possible to those who believe,” and kept pushing herself to graduate through college, graduate school and medical school.

Heather Rice-Minus, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, also attended the camp at First Baptist Church Saturday with a group of volunteers from National Community Fellowship in the District.

“Today is exceptional for me because when I look at those kids, my nephews are playing,” said Rice-Minus. “Today, I not only got the privilege to lead Prison Fellowship, but my family benefits from the programs while their dad is behind bars.”

She talked about the challenges youth of incarcerated parents face and explained the benefit of programs like Angel Tree Sports Camp, in helping to make a difference in children’s lives.

“When you have an incarcerated parent, it can be a very lonely experience,” Rice-Minus told The Informer. “We rely on  local churches to not just give at Christmas but to Be a ministry presence all year round.”

About Prison Fellowship Angel Tree

Across the country, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree hosts sports camps where children with an incarcerated parent gain skills in various sports and learn about God’s love. 

“I have the blessing of being a former incarcerated person who had utilized Angel Tree for my children,” said the Rev. Dr. Johnathan Queen, minister of Children and Family Services at First Baptist. “Now, through our Prison Ministry program, I get to take Angel Tree gifts to families.”

Through lessons, drills, and fun competitions, kids who might not otherwise have a chance to attend a day camp are treated like champions. It’s an opportunity for youth of all ages and abilities to learn from seasoned college players and former professional athletes.

According to the organization’s website, Prison Fellowship is the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit, equipping churches to serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families and advocate for justice and human dignity inside and outside of prison. 

One person featured at the clinic was former University of San Diego player  Brandon Johnson. He was recruited by the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards until he was indicted and sentenced to six months in a federal prison in a sports betting scandal.

After his release, Johnson played for six years overseas in a professional league, and now he works with a nonprofit group he started called AWAKE. Johnson and other coaches were present to instruct the children.

In the closing message, Collin Savage, youth pastor of National Community Church told the campers that life is about choices and they had the opportunity for freedom and an abundant life.  

“God wants you to know him in a new way,” Savage said. “You want to experience freedom found in a relationship with God. You loved it so much you wanted your son to die.”