RFK in Australia

Here is an update from RFK Australia.  Their name is Southern Cross Kids' Camps.

                                                       

2016 is underway and three SCKC camps have already been held. On New Years Day, SCKC Knox kicked the year off with around 30 campers attending camp. This was followed by SCKC Casey starting on January 10th with over 30 campers. Camp Directors Peter and Suretha Moore have been involved with SCKC Casey for many years, however this was their first year as  Directors, taking over from Christine Smith and John Lynch.  Peter described the experience as 'highly rewarding, but quite exhausting'.  As soon as Casey camp finished  South- East Sydney was on, with more kids who need love and attention receiving just that.  Three camps down, eight to go. 

Keep Moving Forward

One of the values we try to teach the kids we serve is, Keep Moving Forward.

I found this and thought it was  a good reminder.

Our Story in a New Book

Hello Friends,

RFK has a new book and Janet and I have Our Story as chapter 14 pg. 123.

The book is a collection of stories from many volunteers who have had their lives transformed by the RFK experience.

In our chapter, we describe our journey as volunteer Camp Directors, some miracles along the way and our eventual call into full time ministry at the RFK National office.

It all started with a Trash Can, p. 124-125.  You 'll have to read it.

I can only get 5-10 copies to send out right now.  I'm hoping to have our chapter made into a booklet by next year and get it into more of our donors hands.

Until then, if you are interested in the book, it's $12.00 with shipping, just let me know.   A Legacy of Hope.

                                       

It really is full of great stories, very inspirational stuff of changed lives.  There are a few campers, but it's mostly volunteers who have been deeply changed by the children we serve and felt a personal, and a God calling to jump in the deep end and do more.  It's a lot like Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

What Does a Director of Training Do All Year?

Here's our training schedule for 2016.  Yikes!!!

Club Training              Fullerton CA              Jan 7-9

Regional Training       So Cal.                        March 5

Regional Training       Portland OR                March 12

Regional Training       Madison AL                April 2

Regional Training       Fort Wayne Indiana    April 9

Regional Training       Waxahachie TX          April 9

Club Training              Fullerton CA               May 12-14

Camp Training DTI     Omaha NE                 June 4-10

Camp Training DTI     Costa Mesa CA          June 25 – July 1

Camp Training DTI     Cedar Hill TX            July 2-8

Camp Training DTI     Dublin Ohio               August 6-12

Camp Training PST     Colorado Springs       June 4-10

Camp Training PST     Costa Mesa CA          June 25 – July 1

Club Training              Midland MI                September ??

CLUB Training January 2015

Here we are training another great group of people to start two New Clubs and add leadership to a third.

Clubs and Mentoring have added an incredible level of depth to helping our volunteers connect with kids in Foster care.

How Do You Feel After Camp?

From one of our Texas Camps.  The Camp Director posted this on his facebook account.  

We created the debriefing cards you see on the table as a quick way to help volunteers debrief their emotions from a week of camp.

With her permission, I'm sharing this post written by one of our counselors at our time of debriefing. This college student beautifully captured how we all feel at the end of the week - and beyond.

"Sad" because I may never get to see my girls again. "Prayerful" because I will always be praying for my girls. "Unprepared" because it's always hard to say goodbye after 5 short days with them. "Humble" because I know that no matter how hard I think my life is, these children have been through so much worse. I am absolutely in love with this camp. I will be doing it every year for the rest of my life. This is my passion, this is my calling. I love all these sweet children with all of my heart and it never gets easier saying goodbye to them. Just 365 days til next camp!" - Emily Fenton

Adoptive Parents of the Year in NE. adopt RFK Camper

Hi Friends,

Here is a story coming out of Nebraska.  This family met their daughter at RFK and are being honored as adoptive parents of the year!

Kids like Joy are getting opportunities at Camp and Club and some even get adopted through the relationships built.

Thanks for your support to help kids like Joy.

http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/newsroom_newsreleases_2015_December_adoption.aspx

Missions Convention

Working the Table at the MVCC Missions Convention.

While there I met this former RFK Camper.  She had many fond memories of being a camper and has been adopted into a wonderful forever family.

Jonathan's Cross Country

Jon at Mt. Sac. Relays and League Finals.

November Training Trip

I had an opportunity to do some extra training for our South Dakota group in November.  I needed to stop by a camp ground in Wisconsin and one in Colorado to see if they would be a possibility for training sites in the future.  So I bundled all that into one trip and went to Wisconsin, South Dakota and Colorado in a 6 day period.

I was also able to meet several Camp Directors, and other camp enthusiast on my journey, including Jessica at UCCS.

It's a good thing I upgraded to an all wheel drive car at Denver as I got caught up in a little blizzard.

Some fun.

South Dakota Training Group

Colorado Camp Site

My All Wheel drive vehicle.  Very necessary!!!

Wisconsin Camp Ground

RFK in Australia video

When RFK started in Australia, they changed the name to Southern Cross Kids Camp.  Here is a recent video they have produced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEknLGJRS_U&noredirect=1

RFK is coming to Sacramento!!!

Friends of Royal Family KIDS in the Sacramento Area

We have trained our first group from the Sacramento area and we are so excited to see that metropolitan area catch the RFK fever.

The trainees are young, energetic and all trained up ready to go, but their church size requires that they reach out to the community at large for volunteers, contacts and resources.

I’m going through my address book and providing some names and emails of some RFK friends who may be able to help the Roseville camp get launched. 

Sacramento could easily have 10 camps running and still not meet the need.  We pray that this camp will integrate into the community and rally many churches to get involved and maybe get new camps launched in the future.

You may or may not be able to volunteer yourselves, but maybe you can help open some doors for them to get Sacramento’s Foster children to camp next year!

Seriously, if you know Pastors, Foster Parents, Community leaders, Civic groups or others in the Sacramento area who may be good contacts for this new camp to get launched successfully, please let our Roseville group know about them.

The new Directors are:

Phil and Jody Ebsworth

Phil 916-626-0791 phil.ebsworth@gmail.com

Jody 916-626-0737 jodyhamric@gmail.com

Open House Church Roseville CA

Here's the group that I had the privilege to train this summer in Texas.