Growing Beyond Fishing Trips

Camp Xhongo Peace Father Son and Friends Retreat started with a quote, a dream, and a promise. In 1995, The Million Man March took place in Washington D.C., to challenge negative stereotypes of Black men and advocate for uplifting the Black community. A speaker during the demonstration, Minister Farrakhan, stated that if a million Black men went back to 10,000 cities and did one positive thing, it could change the perception of themselves in America.

Those words resonated deeply with Djdade Densons’s father, Ron “Xhongo” Johnson, and his friends. The group decided to begin bringing their sons on annual fishing trips for some time to get away and connect not only with one another but with nature as well.

The annual fishing trips turned into Camp T.J., named after a member who had passed away. Eventually, the camping retreat was renamed Camp Xhongo Peace Father Son and Friends Retreat to honor Johnson after his passing.

Denson is now camp director and has spent his childhood watching the development of his father and his friend’s impact. 

“What started off as something local quickly transformed into something that could transform the community and get them out into the community,” said Denson. 

The mission began with over 25 participants and now draws over 100 annually. 

Connecting with Nature and Community 

The 28th camp will be held on August 9-11, 2024 bringing Milwaukee boys to Blackhawk Park in De Soto, Wisconsin to spend time by the Mississippi River with their closest male role models and friends.

Campers will play sports, build tents, fish, talk by the campfire, and enjoy the open sky. 

“For a lot of the kids…this is their first time camping ever, or their first time ever actually seeing a constellation or a pure night sky with no light pollution, and that’s all important in growing up,” said Denson. “We think ultimately that once you get kids out of the city, and out of the hustle and bustle of everything, and take a moment to sit back and reflect, they get back to being kids again.”

Denson said the camp is open to boys ages seven to forever. Campers often become counselors or help in other positions to ensure the camp’s success for future generations of young men.

Fundraising for the Camp on July 25

The camp is free including transportation, food, outdoor equipment, and materials. 

The organization’s annual fundraiser is on July 25, 2024, to ensure the camp stays free. The Milwaukee community is invited to Coffee Makes You Black located at 2803 North Teutonia Avenue for food, live music, and activities.

To donate to the camp’s fundraising efforts click here.