PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Every day, nonprofits, community groups and individual heroes like Traci Carter are fighting to steer at-risk youth in the city away from gun violence. The Philadelphia native believes a change in environment can make a world of difference in a young man’s life.
Anchors Camp, he says, is that change in environment.
Carter might count himself fortunate. He was great at basketball, and he was able to go to college after high school to further his education. His younger brother Samaj, however, didn’t have that opportunity.
“Anchors Camp was started because of the untimely demise of my little brother, passing due to gun violence in Philadelphia,” Carter said.
Samaj Carter was just 21 years old when he was shot and killed near Kingsessing Park in 2020.
“He was very smart. He had an engineering mind — where you can take things apart, put them back together with no know-how or knowledge. And, you know, unfortunately, he got wrapped up in a war.”
Such is the case with so many young Black men in Philadelphia, Carter says, and he doesn’t want to see another young life snatched away by street violence.
He created Anchors Camp to give at-risk young men an escape from the street wars of Philadelphia and the opportunity to learn something new in a safe environment.
“You can't truly learn till you feel like you're in a safe environment where you can lock in,” says Carter.
Anchors Camp is a one-week excursion at a beautiful 200-acre farm, overlooking miles of rolling hills, in upstate New York. For a week at a time, a select few young men from Philadelphia have a chance to grow, heal, build trusting relationships and get a glimpse at an alternative to the grim future predetermined for so many young men like Samaj.
The purpose of Anchors Camp is to give the young men exposure to a trade. Professionals from SUNY work with them to show them HVAC, mechanics and carpentry — as well as more pastoral activities, such as horseback riding and golf.
“So these kids will be actually getting taught by professors from college, where they have everything from auto mechanics, aquaponics, marijuana growing — everything.”
He says the young men are truly transformed by the experience.
“It's such an amazing moment for us to be able to open up their minds. … There's a lot of bad stuff there going into the world, but there is a lot of beautiful and amazing stuff that goes on in this world as well. And what my job is to do is to teach kids what to focus on.”
He says the young men come away learning lessons in teamwork, leadership, communication, accountability and community.
This year there are eight spots for the camp. There is no charge, but parents are asked to give whatever they can to help.