Stories From 2014

(Selected Stories from our Director of Clubs & Mentors) 

How God is Using The Camp Movie

    Hello. My name is A---- I am 13. I just watched your movie about your camp. I was abused part of my life and I never want that to happen to another child. Obviously I can't stop abuse but I hope I can help kids who have been when I'm older. I don't want to bother you but I just wanted to say thank you. What you guys are doing is GREAT! You guys are changing kids lives you are a true blessing to the world. You give them hope, dreams, love. You make them smile. I hope one day I can be a counselor at your camp. Again, thank you so much for everything you are doing.

From A Parent in WA

    God bless you and your entire organization!  Last week was the best week in B------- life.  What a rewarding experience for our little guy.  I asked if he wanted to return next year and he said...next WEEK!  We have noticed a calmer, more flexible B-------- since his return.  You folks are winning the battle in rehabilitating children that normally aren't fortunate enough to attend such a positive summer camp.

A Quote From A Santa Barbara Camper

    As the bus was approaching Camp and the kids on the bus could see all the counselors and staff waving their name signs and cheering for the approaching campers a “returning camper” turned to a “new camper” and said, “Those are the people who love us.”

Emails From An Alumni Campers

    Hello, my name is R-------, I ran across a girl who posted on her Instagram that she volunteered at the Royal Family Kids camp recently, and it reminded me of when I attended. When I was little I had no idea it was a camp for abused children, I just thought it was a camp that my adopted parents wanted to send me to just have fun for a week. 

    I remember always being scared when first getting there due to the fact that I didn’t know anybody. But once I got off that bus, we were always greeted by our leaders with signs with our names on them. I remember the love and hugs our counselors greeted us with, I remember the activities (dressing up, tie dying shirts, building bird houses, playing basketball, the talent show) I remember one year I was picked to light the torch, I remember a lesson on God knowing the amount of hairs on our head, and I was picked to count the hairs on a person’s head!   

    I remember getting t-shirts, and cassette players and I even remember the theme song (and our water bottles had the theme song on them) it’s crazy that it’s been 7+ years and I still remember everything about the camp, that’s how much its impacted my life. 

    I am now 21 years old with a son, our own place, and with a great job for my age! I started working for the court house at age 19 and joined the Juvenile Service Department. I’m going to school, majoring in criminal justice I have only 1 year left. 

     I’ve grown so much, but one thing I won’t forget or grow out of….are the memories of the Royal Family Kids Camp!

Thanks for all that you do!

Alumni Camper Email’s Continued…

   My name is K-----. I was a foster child from the age of 7-12. I attended a Royal Kids camp during one of those years. God has always loved and protected me. I remember this camp, although it was just a week, as a great time of growing my faith and just being able to be a happy kid. 

    I remember a lot of my fellow foster siblings going too and hearing about Jesus for the first time. Thank you for this camp. I actively serve in my church and my husband and I will hopefully soon [be the] directors of our mission and outreach at church. 

    I would love to get some of the foster kids involved in this camp as well as get people to help at camp if needed. Please let me know. And thank you for giving to the LORD.

    Hi my name is T------. I went to Royal Family Kids Camp when I was younger. To be honest I don't remember too much of it because I have blocked out a lot of memories, but I do remember that if it weren't for this camp I never would have become the person I am today. I never would have been able to have the strength I have now. 

    Honestly if it weren't for the camp I probably would have ended up hurting myself. This camp has blessed me with the ability to turn a low point in my life into a positive. I am now attending an online university to get my Psychology degree to become a psychologist for foster kids along with becoming a social worker. 

    Through the camp I had the ability to get a glimpse at who would become the man that God wants me to be with. My fiance R------- also attended the camp. I only remember seeing him with my little brother a few times. I am very thankful for all the work this camp does for the children most people forget about and tend to ignore. 

    Thank you. I would like to see if there would be a possibility of me becoming a counselor at the camp? God Bless and thank you for your time.

How Club & Mentors are Changing Camp

From a Camp Director in Indiana

   I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much club has changed the dynamics out at camp.  

    For the first time ever, 25 out of our 33 campers were returning campers and/or siblings of returning campers that had just turned old enough to come to camp.  We have never had a number so high!!  Due to club we are able to stay in contact with the kids and their caregivers.  

Also, because most of our kids were returning we started on Monday at Wednesday's speed.  The kids hit the ground running on Monday.  It was great to see them become comfortable with us so quickly.
    We had a great week at camp this year and a lot of that was due to club.

Thank you for all you do for us to keep us organized and giving us the tools we need for club!

Training Testimonies

As the Director of Training, I spend about 40% of my time on our training programs of one kind or another.  Here's what a

few people are saying about their RFK Camp Directors' Training experience?  For those who support RFK, you are making an investment into the lives of Directors like these.

“Great, informative, on-the-job training.  A great mix of classroom and in-the-field training.”

John Comery, San Diego, CA

“It was extremely helpful to go out in the camp and observe what we just heard about and learned in class.”   Linda Case, Montgomery, AL

“This camp provides extra purpose for already successful people.”  

Bob McGuire, Missions Pastor, Vancouver, WA

“A great week of God working our hearts, of learning how RFKC is unique (how to make a camping experience work for these kids), and of equipping to lead.”  Jennie Thengvall, Omaha, NE

“This is God directed!  God needs us for the children.” Deborah Kimball, Beaverton, OR

“GREAT!  It was absolutely required for us to have a successful camp!  Worth far more than we spent.”  Steve Fox, Hilliard, OH

Email from Foster Grandmother - 2014

Mikki and Will,

A great email received from Camp Directors Will and Mikki L- Arvada CO. 11-04-2014

(Names have been changed)

I wanted to write and say another huge thank you.  As always, Joey and Anthony had an amazing time at camp!  I had to let you know, Anthony seems to have had a very powerful spiritual experience at camp this year.  He said every time "I will change your name" was sung he cried.  He said he didn't know why but he couldn't help it.  

In the car on the way home, I said something about how much I had missed them, but that I was not in a hurry to get home because I had so much work with laundry and cleaning and catching up.  Anthony started crying. He said he felt so bad because he knew he never helped at home and he realized how he never tried.  He has since really been trying to behave better, to help without complaining when I ask, and to be loving and caring.  

He also had a most touching insight; he said that he thinks Paul, the man that plays the guitar and sings is an angel in human form sent by God to bless all the kids.  He said he can feel the goodness and love from Paul and that he seems like he really is an angel.  I would love if you would pass that on to Paul.  

Thanks to all of you, so many dedicated volunteers.  Your hard work truly pays off, even when you don't know about it.  

Anthony doesn't open up to many people but he has at camp. He also, and this is huge, said he shared with others his personal history.  He never does that, even at school, when they're asked to do a paper or share, he plain out refuses!

Joey delighted in camp as well and they are each so excited for next year already.  God Bless all of you!

Your Sister in Christ,

Pat P-