2008 Camp Week Needs List

 

 

Royal Family Kids' Camp

June 8-13, 2008

Creating Hope and a week of “Positive Memories” for abused kids living in Foster Care
Mission: Through a one-week summer resident camp grounded in Christian values, to create hope and positive experiences/memories for abused, neglected, or abandoned kids living in foster care within Willow Creek Community Church’s neighborhoods.
Background Founded in 1985 by Wayne and Diane Tesch, Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. is a national 501(c)3 organization created to provide a positive experience for children of neglect, abuse or abandonment. Today Royal Family holds more than 180 camps in 40 states and 5 foreign countries. Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. serves nearly 7,000 campers per summer. Each camp is a partnership between a church that provides the volunteers; the communities’ social services agencies that provide the kids; local businesses, foundations, service clubs and friends that provide the funding; and RFKC which provides the critical training and proven format.
Who are our campers?? Boys and girls 7-11 years old that live in “our” communities. Children, unlike our own, who have been neglected, abused, and separated from their siblings living in Foster Care or group homes. Children whose only memories are of distrust, perpetual anger and low self-esteem. Children who are victims, longing to be accepted and loved, who would not normally have the opportunity for a camp experience.
How “DOES” Royal Family Kids’ Camp make a “DIFFERENCE”? For one week, our Campers experience unconditional love and fun. Counselors and staff are screened and trained in one-on-one interactions with children of neglect and abuse and how to relate to their special needs. For each Counselor there are only two campers which allows “Royal Family Kids” to receive positive interaction. Each camp has a Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, Coach, Nurse and Social worker. Their roles . . . to give lots of hugs, encouragement, read stories, and most importantly listen. Each camper receives a very special take home Memory Bag and participates in an Everyone’s Birthday party during the camp week.
Activities and Curriculum model: Centers around a successful Royal Family Kids’ Camp format encompassing twice a day chapel time (providing a Promiseland type experience with worship song, drama and Biblical life lessons/values teaching), outdoor recreation, multiple crafts, and other experiences designed to promote success and self-esteem in the campers. Volunteer opportunities: Approximately 50 at camp (and many others behind the scene) made up of Willow volunteers who choose to dedicate a purposeful week in a compassion serve (James 1:27, Matthew 25:40). Will include counselors and staff screened and trained in one-on-one interventions with these special children and how to relate to their unique needs; nurses and social workers; worship, drama, and Bible leaders; recreational activity and craft leaders, photographers, Grandpa/Grandma and Aunt/Uncle role models. To learn more about Royal Family Kids’ Camps, Inc. go to www.rfkc.org Ministry leaders: Barton Francour (Director), and Karen Francour, Dan and Linda Silverman (co-directors); Tim VandenBos (Staff Advisor). For information regarding participation in Royal Family Kids’ Camp, contact Barton Francour at 847-382-0884 or e-mail: rfkc_lakecook.il@sbcglobal.net.