Camp 2022
Each camper gets a personalized cake with their name on it. This year we asked if they wanted to share their cakes with their favorite volunteers. All the kids enjoyed sharing. What was left was worn.
Day One
All your support and prayers are in full bloom and feel amazing! Our crew showed up at camp Sunday afternoon, after we fixed the flat on the trailer. When God is doing great things, the enemy starts getting nervous and begins to flail around wildly. Every once in a while they get in a shot. Regardless, we got to camp in no time at all. We got unloaded and right to work decorating, setting up the stage and organizing the activity center. Thank each and every one of you for all that you do for the kids!!!
In my first year not being a cousin and having a camper with me 24/7, I’m getting my first glance at what life on the other side of camp looks like.
On Monday morning we got to go back to church for registration. All the kids were signed in and their luggage was loaded on the bus. We got to hang out with foster parents, meet siblings and new campers. We have a really great group of kids, and really wild bunch of boys who are going to make this years water gun fight really special.
On the bus ride home I was reminded that not only do the staff love these kids, but the kids feel the same way in return. Another great moment on the other side of camp life is being able to see the kids faces as we arrive at camp to all the fanfare. One of the cousins had made the coolest sign yesterday with his campers name on it and the best drawing of Abe Lincoln I’ve ever seen. I was totally impressed! As we pulled up to the red carpet another camper noticed the sign and said, “Cool Abe Lincoln!” The camper who’s name was on the sign was sitting next to me. He stood up and scanned the crowd, smiled a huge smile and said, “he’s here.” Not only did his cousin come back, he came back for him and he remembered everything about him. Moments matter!!
We’ve met King Xerxes and his new wife Ester. We’ve learned from Princess Judy that, if your Father is the King of Kings then you are princes and princesses. Then we ended the day with 9 square and pool noodle tag and reading our very own author Judy Pickrel’s new camp adventure book to the kids in bed. Day one was a great day!! Making moments matter.
We have the privilege of having our first camper come this year as a staff member. It has been such a blessing to have her here and like me, she gets to see a different side of camp too. Although, she’s shared many quotable thoughts so far, I’ll just share one. As she was helping set up the activity center she said, “I never realized how passionately you guys cared about this camp and the kids.” Even these moments matter!
The campground director said last night that “The long and the short of it is this: the kids are safe and they are loved, isn’t that what God wants for us all?”
Day 2
In the Bible the Apostle Peter was a fishermen who became a fisher of men. At Royal Family Kids Camp Cousin Peter doesn’t want anything to do with fishing. The kids however love it!! I was told they weren’t fishing today they were catching. I’ve been fishing before and sometimes one fish is a good day. Today one camper caught 17 fish and all the others campers caught multiple too. Our Fishing Coordinator said if the kids would have focused better they would have doubled what they actually caught. That’s a good day of fishing!
A storm moved through after breakfast and put a damper on the water gun fight, but the tea party was a huge smash. The girls had professional hair stylists and make up artists come in to give them all makeovers. They all looked so beautiful as the were escorted to the party and they all received sashes that read RFK Princess. The daughter of the King of Kings is a Princess!!
The boys took to the gym since the water gun fight was postponed and ran off some of their unending energy playing dodgeball, basketball, football and keep the ball afloat. A couple of the boys figured out that the Kings Royal grapes were real grapes and made off with all of them.
After lunch the sun showed up and the swimming and activities were back on. After swimming I ran into one of my favorite little campers having a snack. I was invited to join her for a delicious cinnamon pizza square covered in cream cheese icing. Yes, it was delicious! My friend waited on me impatiently to take a bite to see if I liked it. So, I made sure I drug it out as long as possible. Then, I just played it out like it was the most delicious thing I ever tasted. I didn’t have to play it up much because it was! We continued to have a great conversation, then she said, “you sure have a lot of icing on there?”
I said, “yes I do” then I would take a big bite. Finally, I tore the piece with the biggest blob of icing off and gave it to her. She shoved the whole thing in her mouth. It’s fun to have fun! Moments matter.
We are reminded in our skits of where the kids have come from and we sometimes get commentary from the kids throughout. The story of Ester is a story of a girl taken in by her first cousin. She went into care with Mordechai when her parents died. And Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were taken from their homes to live in a strange place. These are just a couple of scenarios of the lives of our campers and a great reminder of why this camp is so important. The little moments we have, whether in a conversation or an activity we share together really do have a huge impact on these great kids. Their smiles tell the story. Sometimes they try to put on a tough front, but the smiles always break through.
Day 3
Today started up right back on the shore of the lake catching fish. One young lady caught 13 as the other girls reeled in multiple. God provides!
After breakfast and getting my nose stolen several times, the boys got to make up their water gun fight. The girls went canoeing. When the boys had run out of water they headed over to the archery range. We had some great shots in camp this year. Several bullseyes, with one camper who got four in one round. The boys and girls then switched archery and canoeing. We were told that only one canoe had capsized all summer. Today there were 5. It’s fun to have fun!!
During lunch a graduating camper came to me asking if I had gotten mail. Obviously, he had sent me a letter. His letter is below. You gotta give him credit for his originality.
After lunch the rain came in again. We’ve rolled with the distractions and “improvise” had become the catch phrase of the week. There has been no lack of enthusiasm though. We continue to have fun. Since the pool was now off limits because of the lightning, the girls watched a movie and the boys went to the activity center. They did crafts and worked on their acts for the variety show.
In the play King Xerxes allowed Hamman to pass a law to kill all the Jews. Princess Judy talked about the courage of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. How they made a pact to always stay true to the one true King. That even in the fiery furnace God protected them. He even stood in the fire with them!
After dinner it was back to the gym for games with Coach Lisa. I think everybody had a really good time.
Moments that matter is more that a catch phase, it truly is a way of life at camp. Every moment is spent getting to know each other better. A smile, helping a friend, learning a name, discussing likes and dislikes. Moments eating something disgusting that a camper has whipped up in the cafeteria. We know the names of campers pets and campers stuffed animals, their hobbies and favorite tv shows. And we’re up for an impromptu game of tag or masterpiece theatre.
It really is a million tiny little (what seem like) insignificant moments that really aren’t. At camp stopping to help a camper and his cousin catch fireflies really is a big deal!
Day 4
Today started out just like every day this week. The kids caught more fish than they can count. Our Camp Cousin Wendi actually held and threw one of the fish back. It was a very courageous and brave thing for her to do. At camp we learn to step out of our comfort zones. God gives us strength!
After breakfast we get to dance with Andrea and do minute to win it games with Coach Lisa. We are also following the puppet saga of Leroy. Will he ever find his blue notebook?
After Breakfast Club the campers got to alternate between canoeing, archery and activity center until lunch.
After lunch is Chapel. King Xerxes kingdom is in disarray as Queen Esther tries to save her chosen people, while the King is trying to get a nap and the Royal Scribe is falling over backwards trying to get a raise and a vacation. Tension is high in camp too as Michelle the Royal Scribe tries to influence the King by using campers to do her bidding. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
Meanwhile, Princess Judy tells the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions den. His only hope of survival is to remember that God is:
1. A God who loves us
2. A God who chooses us
3. A God who has a plan for us
4. A God who will never leave us, No Matter What!!
Camp Director Mindy brought up one of our graduates to help with the Bible verse lesson. That camper stole the show. It’s always great to see the wonderful personalities of our kids break out of their shells to shine!
After Chapel the campers changed into their swimming suits and headed over for their Birthday Party!!
Some kids come to camp with no idea what a birthday party looks like. At RFK it’s, Captain America, Spider-Man, bouncy houses, swimming, cotton candy, popsicles, and pop corn. Every kid receives their own personalized cake. This year they got the option to share their cakes with anyone on staff. They were all quite generous! Sometimes they share with a cake to the face of someone they love. Pastor Steve and I now know how it feels to have a nose full of icing. Then they get personalized presents picked out just for them.
Meanwhile, the cannonball competition is heating up over at the pool. After crowning the champion of the campers it has now come down to three staff finalists. Cousin Tori, Pastor Steve and me (Director Jimmie). After a two year slump I regained the title. It was a great comeback story, although there were grumblings that it may have been fixed. Anyway…It’s fun to have fun!
After the competition we had the best supper yet. Even after all the cotton candy and cake we enjoyed hot dogs, brats and burgers, then some 9 square and games with Coach before it’s back to our rooms to clean up and pack up because tomorrow we go back home.
Thursdays are always a combination of joy and sadness. I always feel like the greatest connections are made during the birthday party. Both campers and staff know that tomorrow is our last day together for a year and they both want to take in as much of each other as they can. I wish I could tell you about my favorite new Queen and every moment that a camper said they couldn’t wait to come back. Campers asking cousins if they will be here when they come back next year. Campers saying that they want to live here at camp with us. There are always a few tears as the realization of Friday comes sneaking around the corner.
Day 5: Goodbyes
With all the kids packed up we gave them the option of one more day of fishing. So, we had a big group down by the lake. The kids caught lots of fish again. The kids along with the staff also learned about the different types of fish they were catching. Grandpa Darrell is quite knowledgeable about fishing. It was another great start to the day.
Next was breakfast. The cafeteria staff are great cooks and we always get plenty to eat. The kids received cards and letters from Mail Lady Sandra. Which reminds me, yesterday, one of our campers received and apology letter from Pastor Steve. He had played a trick on her the night before and she couldn’t figure out who did it. So, she called me over to show me his apology note. I asked her if she forgave him and she said yes. I said, you know I got a spare water gun? She said, “I like where this is going.” So, at pool time with a loaded water gun, she headed over and sneak attacked Pastor Steve. It was pretty glorious.
After breakfast, was a combination breakfast club and chapel service.
The puppet saga ended with Leroy deciding to be Ronald’s friend even though Butch might beat him up for it. Then, Hannah told Leroy that she had a cousin who was addicted to drugs and alcohol and had other problems but they continued to pray for him. She gets discouraged and wonders if praying will ever help. But, after Leroy prayed to find his notebook, Zoey found it. That encouraged Hannah to keep praying for her cousin.
Meanwhile, in Persia Queen Esther confronted Haman and got King Xerxes to allow Mordecai to write a new law to save the Queens people and to get rid of Haman. As a special add on to the law, the Royal Scribe received her raise and a vacation!! The kids went absolutely crazy. Hawaiian music began to play as Michelle the Scribe put on her Hawaiian shirt and proclaimed she was going to Hawaii!! She danced out as the kids cheered. They had been routing for her all week. It was a great day for Persia, Gods people and Scribes.
Princess Judy told how just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out of the fiery furnace without a mark or scent of smoke, Daniel walked out of the lions den unscathed. Because the one true God is:
1. A God who loves us
2. A God who chooses us
3. A God who has a plan for us
4. A God who will never leave us, No Matter What!!
Director Mindy finished her scripture lesson with more great graduate assistants. We learned in 1 Peter 2:9
1. We are Chosen people
2. We are a Kingdom of Priests
3. We are God’s possession
4. We proclaim God’s goodness
5. God has called you from darkness to light
Then it was time for my favorite part of camp.
The Variety Show!!
So many great acts! We started it off with a great voice impersonator. We had a pro baseball strike thrower, (5 in a row!) A basketball showcase that rivaled the Harlem Globetrotters, and a soccer skills display Pele would be jealous of. (Did I just date myself with a Pele reference?) we had a fisherman catch a Peter fish that got thrown back, a make up artist, and a push-up challenge. We got a skit from an up and coming director, and we got an amazing rendition of “Let It Go” from frozen. We had a dance lesson from a highly gifted ballerina, and an evil Batman with a maniacal laugh that would make the Joker run in terror. We went high tech this year too, with a time lapse video of an up and coming artist drawing a beautiful rose and a magician who was so good she also needed video to slow down how she performed her trick. We had junior staff with a cheer to their favorite cousin Peter and the nurses and social workers remade the hit song “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah”. The RFK 2022 version will be available on vinyl soon…
We had so much fun!!
Soon it was time for lunch then we all loaded up on the bus for home.
The bus rides home feel so heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s hard to explain. It’s like any camp I guess, you meet people that could be your best friends for life and then you have to say goodbye to them. The difference for some of our campers is that at camp they find peace from a life that isn’t always peaceful. All we ever want for our kids is for them to be happy. We get to see an amazing transformation in just 5 days. Like our campground director said, they’re safe and they’re loved and that allows them to get to be the kid they’ve had to hide away from for way too long.
I got invited to sit next to a Queen on the bus ride home. (She said she was a Queen, who am I to ague?) We handed out their MP3 players and photo albums. The graduates got stuffed dogs that everyone could sign. At the end of the variety show my wife and I were given a signed blanket from the staff. (It has a great story too, maybe another day.) My Queen on the bus was confused by the blanket. She thought it was a going away gift, and asked if this was Mindy and my last year. I said, “no way, we love you guys and we’re not going anywhere.” She said, “Yay! Because I love you guys too”. Then she said I reminded her of her Dad only sillier and squeezed my arm. Did I mention I love these kids!! My Queen then popped in her headphones and serenaded me and everyone within earshot for the rest of the ride to the church.
At the church we had a short presentation with dancing and a graduation service. Many tears from graduates and staff alike. Some of these kids have been here since the beginning. When you’ve been friends for 6 years goodbyes are hard! We said goodbye to seven graduates, but we welcomed in a new completely awesome bunch of kids. We are so encouraged by our new amazing staffer who was once a camper. How cool will it be for these graduates to come back and serve along side of us too. Plus, we have our eyes on a teen camp that For The Children offers. More to come on that.
After graduation we got to debut a video we made to the music of Mercyme’s - Dear Younger Me. The song asks if you could go back and tell the younger you anything, what would it be? God had his hand in this video because it was the easiest project we’ve ever done. It’s also the most beautiful because of our AV superstars Yeshua and Andrea. You guys are amazing. I don’t think it helped dry any tears, but it definitely filled some hearts.
After some tearful goodbyes we loaded up their care givers cars and waved goodbye to our kids. Then it was back to the sanctuary to debrief. Debriefing is necessary to talk about all the hard that happens at camp. Everybody has baggage, but these kids are carrying bags they can’t handle and have no business picking up. We all got to talk about the hurt, but we got to embrace the joy too. We also got to embrace each other and lift each other up. We opened up training with a quote and heard it from a staffer as we were getting ready to leave. A lot of feet were washed this week. It is hard but it is worth it and we can’t wait to get back in there and do it again.
Lastly, we got to break bread together. We have a wonderful welcome home crew who spoils us with a great meal every year. After lots of hugs and tears we all say goodbye and go home.
Royal Family Kids Camp is a gift from God and it can only be successful by the hand of God.
