TRAC was founded in 2000 by Tim and Serena Howell in Sherwood, Oregon to create a safe and challenging environment for abused, abandoned and neglected children that are in the foster care system. The 3 day camp, for youth aged 12 to 15 encourages, promotes and produces hope for the future through healthy role modeling and life changing activities. It is amazing what can be accomplished in only 3 days. The campers are encouraged, through challenge courses, counselor-camper relationships and new friendships to ‘tell their stories’ and begin the process of healing. In my whole life, I have not cried so much as when I saw these neglected and abused children open up and blossom like beautiful flowers.
Three days does change lives.
TRAC is a national organization that currently has 48 separate gender camps (24 locations) in the United States. In 2014 TRACBoulder will represent two more camps, location number 24, and the first in Colorado. Our mission is to break the cycle of abuse, incarceration, welfare dependence and provide these children an opportunity to trust, to love, to hope and to become successful in life. The hope is that TRAC will change the lives of foster kids forever….
TRACBoulder
John Parsons Director
John Parsons graduated from the University of Texas with an MS in electrical engineering. He worked for Intel Corporation as an electrical engineer, a salesman and a marketing manager and retired after 20 years. In 1998, after retirement for the work force, John embarked on his next mission—to give back. He started the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Humanitarian Grant with the American Alpine Club, built homes, for over a decade, in Mexico with Amor Ministries and is now the President of CampForChange.org, that is a 501c3 umbrella organization for RFK, Royal Family Kids Boulder and TRAC, Teen Reach Adventure Camp Boulder. He will be the Director Of TRAC Boulder and is married to Sharon Parsons, the TRAC Boulder co-director. Sharon is also a mentor to the homeless in Boulder, with Boulder County Cares. The Parsons are honored and dedicated to giving back.
Sharon Parsons
Co-Director
Sharon was born in Houston Texas in 1959. For several years she volunteered in youth ministry Boulder Valley Christian Church and has been involved in helping the homeless in Boulder and Denver. An athlete, she qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon and completed several ultra-marathon including the Leadville 100.