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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.