The first year this little camp launched, way back in 2014, we hosted 20 children from the foster care system and transported them to a place with the hope and intention of allowing them to rest and just be kids for a week. Our goal was simple, create a place where the following statements are true:
- A space where kids do not have to worry about the current state of life.
- Provide an easy to follow schedule that provides structure around meals, snacks, and a wide variety of activities for having fun.
- Build trust to know they will not be judged or measured harshly by how they speak or act.
- Campers are allowed to express their feelings with an understanding that reconciliation is always the best option.
- Never shamed for asking for help with anything real or imagined, regardless of the hour (day or night).
- Will not be made to feel anything but unconditional love and support when sharing their past experience or current pain.
- Will be encouraged to explore their creative mind through all fun activities options available at camp (arts and crafts, talent variety night, Camp Banner, Cosmic Bowling, etc).
- Never forced to do or go without and that staff and cousins will provide multiple choices to allow freedom of expression.
It is our intention to let them be as carefree as possible in the limited time we have with them in an effort to make memories that will last a lifetime.
While it was not always true that I personally trusted the current homes our campers came from, I have grown to trust that our current roster of campers are in homes where they are now provided love and support. Many, if not all, of our current children are in loving homes with families who earnestly and honestly seek the best for these children: but the truth of the matter is that has not always been a fact about the experience of these children.
Our camp volunteers are amazing at being selfless and loving, even on the rare occasion a child wants to be combative or take on a position of aggressive behavior. We understand that this will happen, at times without knowing why, but always trusting they do not do this from place of malice: it is a learned behavior because of something that has happened to them in their past.
We have two rules at camp (1) Be Safe (2) Have Fun.
We accomplished great things our first year, the greatest being the establishment of a core team of volunteers and supporters that have shared their experience and helped expand our team.
- 2014-2016, 2018, 2019 – Planned events where campers spent 5 nights away from their care providers, outrageous fun with Coach Bruce and activity centers with Swiss Army Stacy, hike and snacks with Camp Grandma and Grandpa, 3 square meals from our dedicated Kitchen Staff led by Chef Deanna, dress up cabin filled with a wide variety of wardrobe options, Wood Working with Uncle Warren, Breakfast Club with Cousin Misha, Drama and Teaching with Kyle and Jessica, Variety and Talent Show, Everybody’s Birthday, Cosmic Bowling, and the list goes on and on.
- 2017 – As a result of not having adequate volunteers or funding. This was the same year of the Mt. Lemmon fire which would have cancelled our camp at the last minute which would have disappointed all involved, especially our campers.
- 2020 – Based on our inability to ensure camper safety due to the close proximity of Campers, Cousins, and Staff members. As the world was learning how to exist during the pandemic, we had our “Drive-By-Camp” camp even which was a 1 day event where the team drove to each camper home, provided gift bags for each child in the home. Volunteers stood in the street and performed camp songs while the children joined in from their driveways.
- 2021 – This planned event was limited to returning campers and reduced to a 3 night stay. Many of the fun activities from prior years were provided and the few that were unavailable did not impact the camper experience.
This brings up to 2022, where we were finally able to provide a full camp experience for the children entrusted to us. The planning and execution of Camp 2022 was not without it’s hurdles and barriers. We lost 5 volunteers to illness: 3 prior to camp and 2 at camp. The 3 prior to camp either tested positive for Covid or were married to persons who tested positive. The two staff members who left camp did not test positive for Covid, but our safety protocols dictate if symptoms are present we must err on the side of caution.
Our camp photography team do a wonderful job at capturing moments that can be shared. Due to standards applied by different agencies involved with making camp happen, our photo team works to capture “Safe Pictures” of campers, ensuring that only a small portion of their face is visible. These photos can be used for promotional purposes on websites, or for sharing the camp experience with others…like I am doing in this post.
Our team also captures unrestricted photos of the campers experience. At the end of camp, each of the campers receive a photo book of their camp experience. Campers can have full face pictures of themselves with cousins and staff, but no pictures with other campers (unless in a blood related sibling group). Here are a few pictures form our camp experience this year.
After being greeted by the entire team, children are shown their cabins by their cousins and then allowed to explore some of the crafts prepared for them to explore their creativity.
Crafts are available all week, along with Breakfast Club and Chapel for daily story time and Bible lesson.
Morning hikes are optional for campers. Our ‘Camp Grandpa and Grandma’ lead the hike Tuesday through Friday. As part of the original core team of volunteers, they get themselves from Arkansas to Tucson, AZ each year to serve at camp.
Camp provides three square meals a day and snacks any time a camper is feeling they need to have something to eat. Before each schedule meal, a camper volunteers to ring the bell to let everybody know it is time to join us at the Dining Hall.
In the 3 years we’ve had the Camp Banner as a project, it has provided some process improvement opportunities. I can’t wait to see what we come up with for next year!
So much happens at camp it is hard to share it all. Here are a few more pictures to tell the story.
By the end of the week, staff and Cousins are physically and mentally exhausted… however, our volunteers are already planning for next year. We have camp dates set up and are ready to go: all we need is a little more help. Please visit the Tucson RFKC Camp Website to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how you might be able to help.
The Tucson camp never charges a camper the cost of production. No camper, foster family, care provider, or state agency is ever asked to provide funding for the Royal Family Kids Camp in Tucson, AZ. The cost of our camp also does not fall to the volunteer staff or cousins. We are 100% funded by gifts and contributions of those who believe in what we are doing and why we do it, so any and all donations are greatly appreciated. We are very proud to be supported by Hope & A Future, an Arizona organization that provides scholarships, mentoring, and a variety of camp experiences to children in the foster care system. Click Here to open the Tucson Camp donation page.
Finally, I would like to thank Karbon for the opportunity to serve this year. I had recently begin the latest chapter in my career and had only been at Karbon 120 days. In a new role at a new company, I was concerned that they would prefer I did not take a week off so soon after starting. The culture of this company is what brought me here, and to be completely supported to take a week off so early in my time here is why I love this company and what I do.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about Royal Family Tucson, Hope & A Future, or Karbon. I’d love the opportunity to share my life experience with anybody who is interested.
Life in Black & White: My Broken Hip 
Posted on July 21, 2022
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