Advot in action
By: Annie Kee, Managing Director
January 2026
In the fall, we began teaching at Camp Kilpatrick, a newly renovated juvenile detention site. I hadn’t taught regularly in probation settings since the virtual classes during COVID—an intense, pointed experience in its own right.
We led classes for two small groups of young women. Stepping foot into the juvenile camps feels like stepping into an alternate reality. There’s a whiff of normalcy, but the details tell another story: heavy plastic furniture with rounded edges, dining tables bolted to the floor, clear bags passed through metal detectors. Cameras and mirrors are everywhere. Bathroom doors don’t have locks.
Our goal in that environment is simple but intentional: to create moments of fun, enrichment, and connection.
One way I stay grounded in this work is by defining indicators of success before I enter the space. Do the students use our names? Do they volunteer? Is there laughter? Does a usually disengaged student speak up without being prompted?
On our second visit, it was pouring rain. Our first week had gone well—the students played, laughed, and leaned in. As my co-teacher, Jarvis, and I approached the first cottage that second week, we saw one of the girls from the week before. Bundled in a beanie and poncho, she called out as she passed us: “Don’t start without me!” My heart swelled. She was looking forward to being there and didn’t want to miss it.
Inside, the girls leaned in again. They laughed. They played. They didn’t want to stop. We played our Gibberish game, and as we were leaving, I heard one of them call out, “OK, let’s play Gibberish again!”
Later, Advot was invited to attend Kilpatrick’s Winter Fest. We brought gingerbread house kits and word games, along with pizza, cupcakes, and soda. We knew we’d be the most popular table. It was soul-filling to sit with these young women as they excitedly built their gingerbread houses. One student, new and shy, was immediately welcomed by a veteran student who invited her in without hesitation—an act of kindness and real leadership. Another student told us she was being released and that she would miss us. I hope she reaches out once she’s settled in her new placement.
This session, Jarvis and I have leaned heavily into interactive play, constantly asking how we can make the material more engaging and participatory. We “gamified” the lessons, kept the energy moving, and worked to build a real connection with the students.
At the very least, I hope we created moments of joy, enrichment, and connection in a place that too often lacks them—spaces where these young people deserve far better.