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Because of You
A Heart Turned to Truth
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Royal Treatment for Abused and Neglected Children
Because Julie was tormented by fearful thoughts, her counselor and other Royal Family Kids' Camp staff took extra care to make sure she felt safe. The following year, it was obvious Julie had gotten the message. 365 days later, she climbed into the same bunk bed in the Idaho mountains for a second go-round at camp. After settling in, she sighed in relief and said, "It's so good to be home." This summer, 5,500 abused and neglected children, ages 6-11, will attend a Royal Family Kids' Camp in one of 140 locations in the U.S or internationally. All of them, like Julie, will be shown that they are not throw-away children, but rather, a part of God's "royal family." The royal treatment starts with love. Each child attends camp free of charge, is typically referred by social services, and receives special attention. The ratio of counselor to child is usually 1:2 and sometimes even 1:1. "A main component of camp is to connect each child with an adult in a healthy relationship," says Tom Turco, director of the Boise, Idaho RFKC. Ruth Ann, a counselor who started with Boise's camp thirteen years ago says, "The camp is about loving on these kids—end of story." "Sarah," a six-year-old who was bounced in and out of fourteen foster homes during a one-year period finally understood RFKC's goal after her third year at camp. "I finally figured out what this camp is about—it's about love," she said. How it started Wayne Tesch, founder and president of Royal Family Kids Camps, started the camps twenty years ago because he had a burden for abused children. As a children's pastor in Orange County, one his church members asked, "Wayne, what are you going to do about the abused children?" Later, someone confirmed the vision when someone told him, "You need to have a camp for abused kids." As a result, RFKC was born. Since then, the camps have been duplicated across the country and internationally. How the love is shown Every summer, the kids load onto buses and are met at camp with hugs, hollers and cheers. There is no secret about how much they are loved. Throughout the week, each child is also celebrated through a large group birthday party. Because many of the campers come from low-income families, birthday gifts may be a privilege that many parents can't afford. So, at RFKC each child receives a box of birthday surprises. Turco says, "I never realized how some kids have never had something like the items that we see in a dollar store, such as pencils and barrettes. Some of them get so excited. This year, one seven-year-old boy yelled, 'Look at what God gave me!'" At the end of the camping week, a ceremony is held to recognize and award each camper for special talents. If there is a child who is best at shooting a bow and arrow, blowing bubble gum, or walking a straight line, he is recognized. Every child receives an award. No one is left out. Does it really make a difference? Turco says, "We've had foster parents come forward and say, 'This is the best thing that happens to these kids all year.' Some of them even start packing for camp in January," says Turco. The hearts of the staff and counselors, like the children's, are enlarged with God's love. Many adults who think they will give more than they get, are pleasantly surprised. And what if you decide to volunteer at a Royal Family Kids Camp? Turco says that there is no guarantee you will ever be the same. "If you come, plan on getting your heart broken." But, it's a brokenness born out of the joy of compassion. Julie, along with many other abused and neglected children, are glad thousands of volunteers have been willing to receive a broken heart for the sake of sharing Christ's love. Would you like to get involved? Counselors, new directors and other RFKC staff are needed each summer. In addition, financial resources are required to keep kids coming to camp. For more information or to help, you can log onto www.rfkc.org
Shana Schutte is an editor in Focus on the Family's Internet department.
Copyright © 2005 Focus on the Family All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
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