Parent & Social Worker Gratitude

We recently captured some information from both Foster Parents and Social workers.  Here's what they are saying about RFK.

My son who is adopted from foster care attended his first RFK camp in June. He LOVED it. It was a very healing experience for him. - Adoptive Mom

 

We sent three foster daughters to the camp. They truly had an amazing time and camp was a really fabulous experience, that may be a once in a life-time thing for them. I am very grateful to the caring volunteer staff and donations that helped make it possible. – Foster Parent

 

"I am so thankful that he got to go to camp! I thought for sure you would be calling me in the middle of the week to ask me to come pick him up for behavior challenges. I am amazed he stayed all week!" – Foster Mom

 

The whole atmosphere, designed to make them feel special and like the most important kids in the world, really was amazing for their confidence and self-esteem and has shown in how they carry themselves. – Foster Parent

 

God bless you and your entire organization!  Last week was the best week in Braden's life.  We have noticed a calmer, more flexible Braden since his return.  – Foster Parent

 

What a rewarding experience for our little guy.  I asked if he wanted to return next year and he said...next WEEK!  – Foster Parent

 

You folks are winning the battle in rehabilitating children that normally aren't fortunate enough to attend such a positive summer camp.  – Foster Parent

 

Our current foster child comes from a very rough background and does not have many good experiences in her life.  But to this day she still talks about all of the fun she had at camp this past summer and can't wait to return the following year.  – Foster Parent

 

My wife and I are extremely grateful for organizations like Royal Family Kids that invest time and resources into innocent kids who are enduring difficult circumstances.  – Foster Parent

 

The relationships they developed with their "cousins" were also very important to them. – Foster Parent

 

I believe that RFKC has created a structure that invites and supports safety and healing.  -  Social Worker

 

the design of the camp is well-conceived and structured, and when staffed with loving people who share a vision of God’s love, then you have a recipe for success.  -  Social Worker

I just wanted to thank all of the Royal Kids Camp staff and volunteers for all that you do for kids. I’ve had a few kids go to the camp and all of them LOVE the experience! -  Social Worker

How Well Do You See Potential in Others?

I came across a training idea years ago and finally created a video and PowerPoint for our Chapters to use during training this year.  It's geared specifically for our group but it can be adapted to any training environment to help people see beyond today, to see the potential for tomorrow.  

If you just want to jump ahead to the "reveal" moment, just watch from 5:48 - 9:40 and you'll get the training concept.  

Also, there's an intriguing rags to riches "potential" story at 14:30-18:40.  One of my favorites!

Our methods have changed but the Mission stays the same.

It's been a crazy year for everyone.  I'd love to write a long narrative of just how amazing our Chapters have been at planning and replanning and replanning again to make something happen for the children we serve this summer.  

We gave them options from the national office and they let their creativity fly and found ways to stay connected with the Foster Children of their community.  

Some were able to hold camp under challenging conditions, others held one-day events, others mailed care packages, others sent "Camp in a Box," others did a "Drive Through Camp." 

Below are some of the pictures I captured from our internal Facebook page of how these amazing volunteers made a difference in a COVID summer.  

Like most of you, we're all exhausted.   

Thanks for continuing your prayers and support during these critical days.

Camp Goes On!

With Covid-19 straggling our efforts this summer, about 65% of our camps are unable to go to the 5-day traditional camp this summer.  Many are still connecting to kids in other ways.  One Camp in Ohio was able to go, here's a little about their week.

St. Clairsville, OH chapter directors were informed seventeen days before the scheduled camp week that Ohio’s foster children were released from the shelter-in-place orders. Camp was on! 

The work normally completed by May had to be done in 2.5 weeks, but they knew this would not be a ‘business-as-usual’ 5-day residential camp week.

Adapting required adherence to guidelines seasoned with creativity. The chapel was set up according to Ohio/CDC guidelines. Taped boundaries on the floor surrounded ten chairs per square to accommodate social distancing. In the cafeteria, 5 chairs surrounded the separated table with additional seating outdoors. Ten hand-sanitized people were let in at a time to pick up their trays from masked servers and head to tables. In a normal year, they would serve one hundred and twenty diners. Accommodating ninety this year was comfortable within the space.

Normally, 55 children would be cared for by the team of volunteers. This year, of the thirty-three campers in attendance, all but 2 were returning campers- the 2 being siblings coming for the first-time.

Sleeping arrangements were also socially distant. In dorm rooms designed for sixteen, there were 8 accommodated. The sleepers were head-to-toe with an empty bed between. During the day the game of 9-square on land or in the water naturally separates the participants. The most creative naturally social distant event was the drive-in movie.

During activity time, each child decorated a large box with automobile-like features. Once done they were parked for the evening activity. After dinner their boxes were “driven in” to the auditorium, and with pillows and blankets, children leaned back and watched The Robinsons, an animated film about foster care and adoption. How much was spent? $1.48 for each box at Walmart. Chapter directors said it was just like Christmas when kids get toys and want to play with the box instead. He gives Heidi credit for the brilliant idea, but I suppose she would agree that this has the sweet scent of the Holy Spirit.

The campground is peppered with Purple Maple trees. Each year at the closing ceremony the children write upon a note a private message to God about something of tragic significance. The notes are dropped into a large hole after into which is placed a Purple Maple sapling. If you knew where the campground was, you could look at a satellite photo and see how they stand out; but as all directors know, that information is kept private.

What does stand out is the eternal impact the St. Clairsville, OH chapter directors have with their passionate and committed team are making upon the hearts of children from traumatic backgrounds. The St Clairsville chapter has been transforming the lives of attending children for twenty-five years. With the integration of mentoring and TRAC, they Keep Moving Forward!

This is the heart of God. This is the heart of our volunteers!

Camper Memories that Matter

Ryan Michelle Wall, RFK Camper Alumni (1995-1997):

“When I was a child, RFK's camps made me feel important and engaged me in a way that my foster homes never did. I remember the first couple days of my first year being super timid but by the end of the week being fully engaged and trusting of my leader. Each year just got better. I saved my birthday boxes up until my mid-twenties! They were my fondest childhood memories.”

Our Australian Camp letter

Camps in Australia have had to cancel like many here in America.  Many of our volunteers have been sending letters and care packages to the kids at their homes. 

This camper received such a gift and wrote a nice thank you letter

Recent Email Received from a Former Camper:

Hello, I am a former camper of this camp!!! 

I wanted to try and find some of the counselors who helped change my life and shape me into who I am today!!! 

I don’t remember their names, however, I do have pictures of some of them!!

This camp really makes a difference in a darkened world and shows the light of Christ to

hurting children thank you so much for continuing this opportunity for others!!!

Dropping Camp is a difficult decision!

With many camps having to cancel or postpone this summer, I thought I'd share a letter from one of our Directors about how difficult the decision was to make.

Good morning Team!

It comes with a super heavy heart that I inform you,  the Leadership Team for Camp #304 out of NW Iowa  met last night and made the difficult decision to cancel camp 2020.  We have been meeting and waiting, hoping and praying something positive would happen in the world we are living in today.  While there are good things happening, there are still a lot of unknowns.  The logistics and protocols that would be put into place for us and our camp location could potentially have a very negative impact on our camp.  For example, all attendees would be required to have their temperature taken daily, in the event someone had an elevated temp, that entire dorm would be closed and everyone sent home leaving their personal items behind for 48hours.  We as a team could not fathom what that would do to our campers, and the lasting impact it would have on them. 

So, this year we are going to focus on showering them with love by providing them written mail from all volunteers who participate, a poster board with their name.  In addition, a backpack filled with school supplies, MP3 players, tennis shoes, hygiene kits, bible or devotional and a shirt.  Stay tuned for pictures and possibly a video.  We will also be planning a gathering later this year when restrictions have been lifted.  Our hope is that the Guide/GITS will help deliver the items to their campers from 2019.

While our hearts are super heavy today, we know that we serve an amazing Father, and one day (hopefully soon) we will be able to serve these amazing kids and our volunteers in the beautiful cathedral of the outdoors!  Blessings to all of you, thank you for all you do!

Blessings

Jenni B. | Director

Royal Family Kids of NW Iowa

Christmas Letter 2019

Here are the photos from Juhala Christmas Letter 2019 and more.    Enjoy.