County seeks proposals for camp for children of incarcerated parents

Lewis and Clark County has opened a competitive request for proposals to develop a one-week day or overnight camp with monthly follow-ups for local children ages 6–17 who have incarcerated parents. The county is seeking organizations that can design and deliver programming tailored to the emotional, social and practical needs of these youth.

Complete solicitation and related documents are available on the county 'Related Information' section (COIP-Camp-RFP.pdf and required forms). Interested parties must route questions only to Casey Hayes, Procurement Officer, at chayes@lccountymt.gov. A cone of silence is in effect for this solicitation; communications about the RFP are restricted to the Procurement Officer. Proposals must be delivered in a sealed envelope to the County Commissioners’ Office on or before 4:00 PM local time on March 2, 2026. The sealed envelope must be labeled: “Camp for Children of Incarcerated Parents RFP Proposal Enclosed”. Late proposals will not be accepted. For additional contact, Casey Hayes can be reached at 406-447-8200.

The county retains discretion to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities, postpone the solicitation for up to 60 days, and accept the proposal deemed in the county’s best interest. Those conditions mean applicants should ensure their submissions are complete and responsive to the RFP requirements and forms provided in the Related Information section.

For Lewis and Clark County residents and service providers, the solicitation creates a tangible opportunity to build supports where family separation and the ripple effects of incarceration are felt most. A one-week camp with structured monthly follow-ups can provide continuity, peer connection and targeted skill building for children navigating stigma, instability or caregiver strain. Local nonprofits, youth-serving organizations, outdoor education partners and tribal or faith-based groups are among the potential applicants that could adapt local assets to meet the needs outlined by the county.

Viewed in a broader frame, programs for children of incarcerated parents reflect a growing emphasis on restorative and preventive approaches to public safety and child welfare seen in other jurisdictions worldwide. Community-based interventions that combine recreation, mentoring and follow-up supports aim to reduce long-term harms and strengthen families, particularly in rural settings where services can be sparse.

Next steps for residents are practical: potential proposers should review the COIP-Camp-RFP.pdf and required forms on the county’s Related Information page, direct inquiries to the Procurement Officer, and prepare sealed proposals labeled exactly as instructed by the March 2, 2026 deadline. For the broader community, the solicitation signals a county-level commitment to targeted youth supports and opens a path for local organizations to shape a program that keeps Lewis and Clark County children safe, seen and connected.