Experiencing a warm loving atmosphere is common for many children. Yet for some children, victims of child abuse and neglect, who end up in the foster care system, those loving touches may be few and far between.
Royal KIDS Camp offers children ages 6-12 in foster care the opportunity to experience a completely loving environment for a week at time during the summer and to introduce hope. Offered for the first time last year in central/western Kansas, there were 26 children who experienced the week. Camp is also planned for this summer.
“We’re hoping to have more kids this summer,” said Melissa Widiger, program director. She added it gives kids a chance to be kids in a healthy, safe environment.
All children participating come through the recommendations of St. Francis and are given a one-to-one adult mentor volunteer. A licensed psychologist is on staff as well as a nurse. There is no charge to the state or to the child.
“We want these kids to have one-on-one attention,” said Widiger. “We give them some good memories.”
During the residential camp, kids will experience a birthday party with their own cake and gift, daily chapel and recreational activities.
“The kids love it,” said Widiger. The idea is to create life-changing moments for children of abuse.
It was rewarding as a volunteers as well. “I loved it,” too, said Widiger.
Statistics listed on the Royal KIDS Camp website show that 50 percent of foster care girls will be pregnant by age 19, many are in prison, with a substantial portion being incarcerated within two years of aging out of foster care. In addition, a high percentage of inmates on death row were in foster care.
Royal KIDS Camp began in 1985 in California and is a Christian based camp. Over 70,000 kids have attended a camp and it is a 501 c3 nonprofit.
Widiger said that the Assembly of God Church in Great Bend identified a need to bring this camp to this part of the state. In Kansas, there are Royal KIDS Camps in the following areas: Lenexa, Manhattan, Topeka and Wichita.
Royal KIDS Camp is a Christian based privately funded camp. They are in need of more volunteers and donations as it costs about $500 per camper.
For the twenty-six kids in last year’s camp, it took 50 or 60 volunteers and more are needed for this year. All volunteers will undergo background checks. Those interested in volunteering should call Melissa at 620-786-0687.