About Our Chapter
We are camp # 354
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Mission
Our Mission is to give hope to foster kids throughout Macoupin and Montgomery Counties. To show them that they are worthy and loved. We want them to be able to experience Gods love and the childhood that in many cases has eluded them. In one week of camp they learn that they matter and that they will never be forgotten.
Vision
Our Vision is to see the kids through to the next stages of their lives. To build relationships through Mentoring and possibly a Teen Camp and beyond.
The possibilities are endless!
We hope to equip our kids with confidence and the strength they need to succeed and thrive throughout their lives..
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Value
Our Value comes from the guidance provided by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Every move we make for camp has been prayed about. Every gift, every event, every move, even the campgrounds are covered in prayer. The kids are shown that Jesus loves them and is with them through everything they will face in their lives.
Our Story
By Jaime Armentrout
In 2011 my sister Megan worked at a campground facility in Idaho for a summer as staff. While there she witnessed a Royal Family Kids Camp. The story of seeing those kids get off the bus onto a red carpet brought tears to my eyes. I immediately began looking for an RFK for my kiddos, but there wasn’t one close.
Fast forward 5 years. Pastor Steve and I were having a conversation about fostering and adoption. I asked if he had ever heard of RFK. He said that he had. Then he said, “we should do one”. We talked about how we had a great facility right down the road (which we later found out we couldn’t use it due to RFK guidelines). Anyway, I said OK! Then he said, “and you can be the director”. Again, I said OK! Little did I know all the work that goes into it.
I made some phone calls and got all the information on starting a camp. John Schwider, our local ambassador met with us. So we did some fundraising and next thing you know, Melissa, Denise, and I are heading to Virginia for a weeklong directors training.
I can’t believe that was 6 years ago! RFK has changed me in a lot of ways. It’s definitely strengthened my faith in God after seeing Him move again and again and again. The people He has brought into my life through camp is something I will always be grateful for.
Then there are the kids! Each one’s story would break your heart, but we teach them that is NOT what defines them. We show them love and compassion and that there is a God that loves them and walks with them and they are NEVER forgotten.
407,000
Kids in Care
There are approximately 407,000 children in the forster care system in the United States. With an estimated 34% of them living with family. Leaving 140,000 children in need of a home.
380,000
Churches
There are around 380,000 churches in the United States. This is the solution to the foster care situation. There is nothing like the church when the church is being the church.
7
Years
Our Camp #354 is preparing for Camp #7 in 2023. We plan on sticking around until all kids in care are in a loving home and the need for camp is gone.
Volunteer Stories
This takes me ALL the way back to our very first year. I had no idea what to expect. We had this camper who was nervous, wouldn’t smile much and definitely not with her teeth. She had shared that she was told her teeth were ugly and that she didn’t have a pretty smile.
How sad that made me.
Everyday I would catch glimpses of her having fun and smiling but never with her teeth. On Thursday we had our variety show and she started singing “This is my fight song” and I had this overwhelming feeling that we needed to cheer for her like she was a rock star. So, a couple of staff members and I went up front of the stage and started screaming for her and the whole camp followed suit. Let me tell you, I can’t begin to describe the smile that was on her face. A big toothy beautiful smile! I will never forget that moment.
That’s why we do what we do.
— Jaime (Assistant Director)
One of my favorite moments, and there are lots, is when my camper and I were out on the canoe. There is a campground close by that has an outdoor sanctuary and they have cross with some wooden benches. My camper says is that the cross Jesus died on? I said no not according to the bible. She said but wouldn’t that be cool? I said yes, but you know what I believe? Jesus has walked right there because we carry him in our hearts everywhere we go. I love the moments that God speaks through us to our campers. Because moments really do matter.
— Mindy (Co-Director and former cousin)
The week of RFK was amazing. Watching the kids start to feel relaxed and loved after a few days, without fear was life changing. I feel that RFK makes a huge impact in those kids lives and if I can even be a little part of that, I want to. We were put here to make a difference in others lives, and RFK does that in a wonderful way
Lisa (Camp Coach)
Same Heart, New Name, Bigger Impact.
We are now For The Children and here’s why.
For 30 years, volunteers, churches, businesses, local municipal partners and Royal Family Kids staff have dedicated their time, talent and treasures to help transform the lives of vulnerable children across the US, and world.
While RFK has formally overseen our camps and mentoring programs, the breadth of our work has evolved far beyond these two programs. Today we provide direct trauma intervention, advocacy, fostering, adoption, support to parents, and other crucial wraparound services.
While we acknowledge the expansion of our work across our 252 chapters, COVID-19 has profoundly increased the needs of children and families. Extreme gaps in fulfilling these needs cannot be overstated.
In order to address the systemic issues surrounding child welfare today, our organization must respond.
Consequently, as of November 2020, Royal Family KIDS, will officially be renamed For The Children. This transition will bring clarity to new opportunities, from providing laptops and shoes to needy children, to assisting overburdened social workers, to providing temporary shelter.
The teaching and example of Jesus in caring for “the least of these” will remain our motivation. As For The Children, we are also eager to focus on the systemic issues facing children, around the globe.
