SENT is part of a new weekly series telling stories of people at Pulpit Rock living missionally in their unique contexts. We believe that all of us have been SENT into our neighborhoods, workplaces and city. Our hope is that you are encouraged and inspired to lean into the places God has called you. And then we’d like to tell your story. Because we know that the story of God’s people is the story of God. If you have a story you would like to share with us send it to info@pulpitrock.com.
What Is Royal Family Kids Camp?
RFKC is a Nation wide organization that provides 5 days of summer camp to foster children that are severely abused or neglected. Tre and I work with the El Paso County Chapter which means the kids that attend this camp are from DHS right here in town. Camp changes hearts — helps rewrite their stories – and shows these kids ages 6-12 that they are wanted, loved and special.
Why did you say yes to being a counselor?
Our involvement with Camp has evolved over the years and in 2014 God clearly said to me “The camp needs YOU.” This was after several years of donating money, and then even becoming a monthly partner with the Nationwide office. God called our family to step up and step out BIG TIME by not wanting us to write another check. He wanted us to put our pen down, find child care for our two girls, tie up our sneakers and be at camp!! Tre and I have volunteered as Big Campers (Counselor has a negative connotation with a lot of these kiddos) starting in June 2014 and have thoroughly enjoyed being paired up with 2 little campers year after year.
What Was A Favorite Memory From Camp This Year?
I had two little six year old girls that were both first time campers I have so many memories and stories! One that sticks out was when one little girl, “M”, was sharing about how her foster dad had to call “119 because mom needed help” She went on to tell me the details of that night, but right in the middle of the story she looks up from playing with some beads at the craft table and said “and when the truck came it was NOT shiny.” She was five at the time and like we all grew up hearing, the “shiny, red fire truck” will come help you.
What was Something You Personally have Seen or Learned about God through RFKC?
GOD SEES US ALL. From the beginning He knows our story and even though Camp is only five days, the story written up there changes the trajectory of many lives. Little Campers, Big Campers, Support Staff – we all are shaped and changed little by little by this Camp. Working with these kids I have realized that even though our stories are messy, heart breaking and typically not fair, His hand is in it.
If Others Were Interested in Being a Part of this, How Would They Do It?
There is an application and interview process that usually gets moving around December/January timeframe. We are ALWAYS needing more adult volunteers to keep this camp running and moving forward. Reaching out to Tre or myself and we can connect you with the right people. With that being said, being at Camp for a week isn’t for everyone. Maybe your heart is being tugged to come up and help out with the Tea Party, or the Birthday Party for the day. Or maybe you want to work with ALL the kids as Support Staff, and not be paired up with 2 kids for the week. And finally, maybe you are being called to MAKE THE CAMP POSSIBLE. It costs about $70,000 to run one week of Camp and your finances can literally mean the difference of a child being able to attend or not.
Deb leads a small group with our student ministry each week. Thanks to your giving here at Pulpit Rock we were able to pay for the cost of camp and a year of mentoring for a foster child in El Paso County.
