
Urban Youth Ministry
Great Oaks Camp was established in 1972 as a ministry to the urban youth of Peoria.
We believe that building a child’s self-confidence, improving their attitude, developing their civility and citizenship,
and helping them take personal responsibility first begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We nurture this relationship by offering a free week of camp to low-income children during the summer
follow-up programs throughout the year.
About our Campers:
- Most of our campers come from low-income, single-parent households in Peoria.
- Most of our campers attend schools that have been reprimanded by the State of Illinois for substandard performance.
- Many of our campers are in foster care.
- Many of our campers have experienced physical abuse or neglect.
- Many of our campers live in homes where drug and alcohol abuse are present.
- Many of our campers have been sexually abused.
- Nearly all of our campers live in neighborhoods where drugs, sexual promiscuity, and gang violence are a daily issue.