This year’s Camp Agape may be on hold – originally planned for President’s Day weekend – but the work is still underway, according to director Charlotte Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, who is married to the camp’s founder and pastor Roy Yamamoto, told Aloha State Daily that the nonprofit based on the North Shore of Oahu will continue to put on weekly and monthly events, as well as year-round mentorship for youths ages 7 to 17 across the Islands who have incarcerated parents.
Of the more than two million people in prisons and jails nationwide, "70% of [their] children will follow in the footsteps of their parents and enter the juvenile and/or adult criminal justice system,” per the U.S. Department of Health. Since 2006, Camp Agape has focused on providing programs for 8,000 kids nationwide, from which half were from Hawaii, Yamamoto said, adding that only 5% of local kids from camp have followed in their parents footsteps.
The organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity that offers activities like surfing (Roy Yamamoto’s favorite thing to do), horseback riding, games, worship services and more. The camp accommodates 300 people – 200 angels, or what they call the campers, and about 100 trained volunteers who commit to a year of service, she said.
Host sites on Oahu have included YMCA’s Camp Erdman and Aloha Council’s Camp Pupukea, and this year, it'll be at The Salvation Army’s Camp Homelani. Camps also run on Maui and Hawaii Island, according to Yamamoto.
“It’s free for the kids. We do fundraising the whole year with a budget of about $150,000, and everything that comes in goes right back to the local community,” Yamamoto said.
She added, everything from planning to execution is intentional. "We aim to share a positive message for them, allow them to grow – in faith or in other ways – and instill in them consistency.
“It would not be possible without God giving us direction because I know his heart breaks for these kids. This is why we do what we do – it’s for the kids’ lives to be transformed,” Yamamoto said. “It’s worth it even if just one kid can become an incredible role model for their family and choose to make a positive difference."
Volunteer perspective
For Gordon Kor, who volunteered for Camp Agape in 2024, one highlight was talking to kids about the Bible, he said.
He told ASD by email, “I had known about Camp Agape for years through friends who were involved and had always wanted to be a part of it. I believe Camp Agape is doing a good thing for the children of Hawaii, and it is worthwhile to support such a cause. It's really amazing to see how a weekend can change their lives!”
Kor added, Camp Agape “changes the lives of a marginalized and, oftentimes, neglected group of the future generation by providing them rare experiences of radical generosity, love and truth. ... It offers people a great opportunity to positively invest in the next generation."
The Greek word “agape” translates to mean “unconditional love.”
Stay up to date about camp at campagapehawaii.org.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
