Camp Reunite

Restoring The Family Bond

Origin

Camp Reunite was inspired years ago when Co-Founder Neil Willenson served as a foster parent to a young boy whose mother was incarcerated. Willenson witnessed firsthand how emotionally difficult, logistically challenging and rare prison visits could be, especially for families who lived far from correctional facilities and lacked access to meaningful, child-focused time together.

Recognizing this widespread need, Camp Reunite was created through a partnership between Hometown Heroes, Inc. and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. What began as a challenge for one foster child has grown into a transformative program serving youth across Wisconsin.

Approach

Camp Reunite serves children and teens who are navigating one of the most complex and emotionally challenging experiences a young person can face, having a parent incarcerated in the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System. These youth often shoulder responsibilities and emotions far beyond their years, and Camp Reunite offers them a safe, understanding space to simply be kids again.

Camp Reunite addressing basic needs by providing children with basic needs offerings, including school supplies and backpacks, shoes, hygiene items, clothing, blankets, water bottles and more!

Many of these young people experience isolation, confusion or stigma surrounding their family situation. At Camp Reunite, they find peers who truly understand, caring staff who walk beside them with compassion and a community that recognizes their courage and strength.

Children with incarcerated parents rarely get the chance to spend relaxed, meaningful time with mom or dad and almost never in a space intentionally designed for healing. Camp Reunite changes that reality. This one-of-a-kind program combines traditional camp fun with emotional wellness support and guided parent–child visits within correctional facilities, creating transformative experiences for both children and their parents. Here, connection becomes possible, communication becomes healing and families experience moments together that would otherwise never occur.

Swimming, hiking, games, sports, arts, outdoor challenges, campfires and more, allowing kids to be kids while building confidence and friendships simply.

Age-appropriate sessions that strengthen emotional awareness, resilience, stress management and healthy communication, all delivered through a trauma-informed lens.

Multiple days at the correctional facilities allow children and parents to:

Share meals
Create art projects
Engage in guided conversations
Play games
Read together
Build communication skills
Strengthen emotional connection

Father and daughter holding hands walking.

Grounded in trauma-informed care, Camp Reunite creates an environment where children feel secure, understood and empowered to navigate the complex emotions that accompany parental incarceration. Our approach weaves therapeutic practices into every part of the camp experience, ensuring each child has the safety, structure and emotional tools they need to heal, connect and grow. This framework is brought to life through key elements that support both individual well-being and family reconnection.

Camp Reunite addresses basic needs by providing children with basic needs offerings, including school supplies and backpacks, shoes, hygiene items, clothing, blankets, water bottles and more!

Camp Reunite extends its impact beyond the summer session, offering continued opportunities for connection, healing and family engagement during the holidays in conjunction with our partners at Kapco’s Kids2Kids Toy Drive by presenting toys to the kids at our Winter Camp Session.

This camp is one of the most rewarding camps I've ever seen. May God bless you for making a difference in the lives of many.

-Camper's Father

Impact

At Camp Reunite, every moment of healing, every skill learned and every family connection rebuilt contributes to meaningful, long-term change, helping interrupt the cycle of intergenerational incarceration and creating a foundation for brighter, more stable futures.

Camp Reunite helps children:

Build emotional resilience
Strengthen or restore bonds with their incarcerated parent
Gain confidence and trust in supportive adults
Learn coping strategies for life outside of camp
Feel less alone in their experiences

Camp Reunite Kids & Counselor dressing up and posing

Emotional & Physical Safety

Predictable schedules, safe environments and supportive staff help children feel grounded.

Coping Skills & Emotional Expression

Youth learn tools for anger management, stress reduction and healthy communication.

Connection & Community

Being surrounded by peers with similar experiences helps reduce isolation and stigma.

Family Bond Strengthening

Camp activities create space for positive family interaction, helping rebuild trust, improve communication and strengthen relationships during and after incarceration.

It also helps parents:

Camp Reunite provides a rare and powerful opportunity for incarcerated parents to reconnect with their children in meaningful and nurturing ways, often for the first time in years. Through structured visits and guided activities, parents can reconnect with their children in a supportive environment that reinforces their role as caregivers and strengthens their motivation to remain positively involved in their child's life.