Milwaukee's All People's Church has kids "feeling empowered" at 'Camp Umoja'

MILWAUKEE -- Dozens of Milwaukee students are having summer fun with summer school. They are part of a new, free day camp called "Umoja."

On Friday, July 1st, some 50 Milwaukee students were inside Milwaukee's All People's Church, where they were completing the first week of the first-ever Camp Umoja.

"What we really need is our youth to feel part of the community, feel empowered, feel like they can make a difference," said Allen Ruppel.

Allen Ruppel is the creator of Camp Umoja. He is also the executive director of the camp's umbrella organization, Unity In Motion, which started offering karate and other activities to Milwaukee school children 16 years ago.

"Our scholars started graduating, and a lot of them felt like they needed to move on; they didn't want to come back to Milwaukee," said Ruppel.

So Ruppel developed this six-week camp experience, with a focus on the history of civil rights and their current applications.

Along with daily classroom lessons, Camp Umoja also offers a variety of field trips and guest presenters.

"The natural thought was, if we build this community and empower, they'll feel a natural connection, and a way to come back -- with their degrees -- and make a difference in their neighborhoods," said Ruppel.

"It's diverse. You learn about your community. It teaches you how to work as a community and work together," said Kesha Jeter, Camp Umoja scholar.

"It's like a big community that allows you to come together as friends and as family -- at the same time to learn and succeed together," said Michael Harris, Camp Umoja scholar.

The camp is offered for free -- funded entirely through private gifts and could use additional donations -- or both items and time.

"Camp Umoja is not about charity. It's about justice. We really believe this is what is needed to make Milwaukee whole, again," said Ruppel.

Response to Camp Umoja is so positive that a waiting list has been established. In fact, a second location has already been designated for next summer, and camp creators say they're already considering the addition of a third.