Camp 1 Rootz offers children, families and communities a holistic, loving and nurturing environment in Port Gibson, MS, that fosters self-determination, self-sufficiency and sustainability through adventure, learning and building skills. In the state Time Magazine calls “the embodiment of neglect, of collapsing infrastructure, of environmental injustice at its most extreme,” Camp 1 Rootz offers eight-day residential camps for youth ages 7-17. Programming includes nutrition education, agriculture, building trades, martial arts, outdoor recreation, and entrepreneurship training. Through hands-on learning in sustainable living practices—from urban gardening to water purification—participants develop the knowledge and confidence needed to create positive change in their communities. Transforming challenges into opportunities, Camp 1 Rootz is helping residents become architects of their own futures while building stronger, more resilient communities from the ground up.
During Camp 1 Rootz’s eight-day sleep away camp, children ages seven through 17 participate in a variety of activities, including horseback riding.
The West Jackson Organizing Committee of Camp 1 Rootz serves residents of rural Claiborne and Jefferson counties and West Jackson, Mississippi – predominantly Black communities where 40% live below the poverty line and face severe environmental challenges in a state where climate change has brought more frequent storms, floods, and droughts. This Black, women-led organization owns 15 acres where it operates an annual youth sustainability camp, teaching practical skills that build confidence and capability among young participants. With support from a board, staff, nine-member planning council, and over 30 volunteers across the US, Jamaica, St. Croix, and Belize, the organization also runs water sustainability projects and food gardens, addressing critical needs in a region known for lack of access to clean water. These programs help residents develop solutions to environmental crises while giving youth the skills and confidence to become community leaders.