Royal Family Kids' Camps

News




Happily Ever After	(04/07/2008)


My first year volunteering at RFKC, I was the Woodman. And on the very first day of camp, I was working with a small boy on a bug box kit. As we finished it up, he turned to me and said, “I wish I could stay here forever!!” Full Story



New Sneakers	(03/24/2008)


Kristi, my little eight-year-old camper, came wearing sneakers that were too small. After the first day of very sore feet, we knew we would have to send our faithful “runner-to-Walmart-many-times-a-day” staffer on yet another trip for some new shoes. Full Story



My Favorite Book	(03/10/2008)


Kevin had come to camp last year and, like all the other children, received a Memory Bag™ packed with souvenirs, a children’s Bible, and other stuff to help him remember his camp experience. Full Story



Nice Manners	(02/25/2008)


Stephanie had asked me to sit with her group for dinner the night of the picnic. Full Story



A Box Full of Memories	(02/11/2008)


In October, camper Chris who had been to all three of our summer camps, came to the Graduate Retreat at our church for the first time. Full Story



The Best Hugger	(01/28/2008)


Chris said he felt God telling him to kneel down to eye level with this boy and just talk to him. Full Story



The Littlest Princess	(01/14/2008)


The Royal Banquet is a tradition at the Delphi, IN camp. Thanks to wonderful community support, Royal Family Kids’ Camps girls get to choose a fabulous gown, have their hair swept into fashionable up-dos, and don sparkling tiaras. Full Story



From a Camp Grandma	(12/10/2007)


Excitement, anticipation, and a little anxiety were evident as the campers were traveling the 45 minutes to camp. When I saw Tommy’s seat mate cause some commotion and then watched a small ball catapult over their heads and land several seats back, I asked Tommy if he would like to sit with me. He came quickly. Full Story



Remember me when your watch goes off	(11/26/2007)


Anthony, an eight-year-old camper, received a wristwatch in his “Birthday Box.” It showed the time in big numbers and had a light so he could know the time when it was dark. The watch had different types of alarm sounds, and could be set to go off whenever he wanted it to. After playing with it for a while, it was clear that Anthony was very happy with his new watch. Full Story



Memory Book	(11/12/2007)


11-year-old Abby received her photo album on the last day of camp. Her expression was one of "This can't be true" and then one of absolute delight as she exclaimed, "There are photos of ME! I don't have ANY photos of me!" Full Story



Jewelry Box	(10/29/2007)


Grandpa Art, a long-time Camp Grandpa, remembers a redhead 8-year-old girl who came into his woodshop activity center. Full Story



What is in Your Hand?	(10/15/2007)


Camp starts out pretty much one sided. The children arrive needy. Counselors and staff are there to give the much needed time and attention. Food is plentiful and there is no shortage of activities. Full Story



God Doesn't Make Junk	(10/01/2007)


Jimmy came to camp very withdrawn and obviously wounded. Upon arrival he asked questions about where he’d sleep, where he’d shower, and who would be there? Full Story



Former Camper Story	(09/17/2007)


Our volunteers work tirelessly to provide hundreds of precious moments for the special children at our camps ... moments that truly change lives, as hurting kids feel loved, cared for and treasured. Full Story



What Love Can Do	(09/03/2007)


One of the returning campers had made quite a reputation for herself the year before. Just the mention of her name caused those who knew her to groan. Full Story



Everything!	(08/27/2007)


The last night of camp, around the campfire, the kids were asked what their favorite thing about camp was. Full Story



Bird Houses and Bug Catchers	(08/23/2007)


We didn't walk along the path much at camp because we were usually running or chasing butterflies or trying to catch bugs. Full Story



Worth a Thousand Words	(08/06/2007)


I have had foster mom’s tell us how much the pictures mean to the children. Full Story



Potential Uncovered	(07/23/2007)


The campers put on a variety show on Thursdays. Sometimes the Counselors will try to come up with something that the campers can perform for the show. Full Story



Birthday Blessings	(07/16/2007)


The last night of camp, we celebrate “Everyone’s Birthday.” Some children have never had anyone celebrate their birthdays – some don’t even know what day they were born. Full Story



A Little Princess	(07/09/2007)


Little “Danielle” was quite a handful. She didn’t want to use any silverware at meal time, she couldn’t decide whether socks or shoes went on first and there was never a moment that some part of her body was not moving. Full Story



Best Week Ever	(06/18/2007)


It was nearing the end of the week at our camp when counselor Rob asked his camper, “What was the best part of the week for you?” Full Story



Metamorphosis	(06/04/2007)


The Two Sisters, "Amy and Amanda," almost didn't make it to camp. They had missed the early morning registration and when our registration coordinator called the house, she was told they would not be coming to camp. Full Story



What's In a Name?	(05/28/2007)


Every camper and every adult on the premises at RFKC must wear an RFKC badge with their name on it. Otherwise you are considered “unsafe.” Full Story



This is the Life	(05/21/2007)


When Sam got off the bus and joined our cabin group, he was already smiling. Full Story



A Safe Nest	(05/14/2007)


First, we were at Breakfast Club and noticed a bird’s nest over the back door of the chapel. I told the children that if they were quiet, the bird would come to sit on the nest... Full Story



Cherished Memories	(05/07/2007)


As we were sharing about the week we were interrupted by a foster parent who returned with Serena. She proceeded to tell me her story. Full Story



A Simple Walk	(04/30/2007)


Late Thursday night, our last night at camp, and long after everyone had fallen asleep, one little boy lay quietly in his bunk sobbing continuously. Full Story



A Fatherly Influence	(04/19/2007)


At camp last summer, we were arranged in cabins of 12 – which included eight kids and four counselors. Full Story



Lasting Changes	(04/02/2007)


Nicholas came to camp last year as a nine year old. He was definitely one of our challenges for the week. His foster dad was concerned about him being gone for a week and needed lots of reassurance. Well, we began to see small changes in Nicholas as the week went on. Full Story



A Kid Again	(03/19/2007)


At the beginning of the week, while passing morning meds, I asked a little boy his name in order to verify that I was passing meds to the right child. Full Story



Something Special	(03/12/2007)


During the fall months, we visited with each of the six social services agencies that provided the kids for our camp. Full Story



New Shoes	(03/05/2007)


One of our campers came to camp with shoes that were way too small for him, and his feet were really hurting. As soon as his counselor discovered the problem, a member of our camp staff went out and bought him a new pair of shoes. Full Story



Lifted Up	(02/26/2007)


One of the unique features of a Royal Family Kids’ Camp is that we operate on a strict ratio of no more than two kids per counselor. Full Story



Enough to Make any Dad Proud	(02/20/2007)


One of our most outgoing kids at camp last summer was Jay, the oldest of three siblings attending camp together. He wanted to know if he could be a counselor some day Full Story



Modeling	(02/05/2007)


It was hard to communicate with this little girl. Arms folded in front of her, a permanent pout fixed on her lips... Full Story



You Don't Know What You're Missing	(01/22/2007)


Jay was so excited to get called to camp. He was the first alternate on our camp’s waiting list. Full Story



Photo Album	(01/15/2007)


Little Steven attended Royal Family Kids' Camp just after he turned seven. He had a wonderful time at camp and was thrilled to take home his photo album to his foster mom, Kathy. Full Story



No Ordinary Camp	(01/08/2007)


Camp staff member Leslie knows that camp is a truly special event for one family. Ten of the family’s 14 children live in a single hotel room, where they sleep squished into the same beds. Full Story



Veronica	(01/01/2007)


"Veronica" comes from a sibling group of eleven children. Five of them were at 2003 camp. Until several weeks ago, Veronica was in a foster home of one of our acquaintances. Unfortunately, she was moved when the fourteen year old son of the foster parents committed suicide. Full Story



What Do You Want to Be?	(12/11/2006)


On the last morning at one of the camps, the kids were asked what they want to be when they grow up. Full Story



Jessica	(12/04/2006)


Jessica found a new life at Royal Family Kids’ Camp! When she first came to camp, her foster mom said she was so traumatized by the abuse in her past, she would hardly speak. Her foster family never heard her laugh, or saw her play ... she was completely withdrawn. Full Story



A Safe Haven	(08/21/2006)


It was the time of the year when I would contact all of our previous campers to see it they still qualified to come back to camp. I received word that six siblings were returned to their mother. (The same mother for all six but two different fathers, and had been divided into three placements.) She had now met the required demands of the State but was still under the supervision of the Foster Care System, so five of the children were able to return for one more year of camp. They loved camp! Full Story