The Stories

Foster Parent’s Testimony from Knoxville’s Royal Family KIDS Camp

Sending my 11-year-old foster child to Royal Family KIDS Camp Knoxville last summer was a truly transformative experience for her—and for us. Although she was initially worried about leaving home for a week, she returned filled with joy and has been excitedly sharing her camp memories ever since.

The activities were enjoyable, but it was the people who made the biggest impact on her. Each child was paired with their own counselor, an inspired idea that fostered deep, meaningful connections. The relationship she developed has left an indelible mark on her life. She still talks about how wonderful her counselor was and truly feels they were destined to meet.

The photo album she received has become a treasured keepsake—she loves flipping through it and sharing her memories even months later. Every picture captures the genuine happiness on her face and the faces of all the kids and counselors, evidence of the joyful atmosphere. Additionally, she was given a music player loaded with camp songs, and nine months later, she continues to listen and sing along every day. She even remembers the dances!

She is already counting down the days until she can return this summer. Even more inspiring, she’s excited about returning in the future to volunteer once she ages out.

We are immensely grateful for the love, joy, and lasting positive impact that Royal Family KIDS Camp Knoxville has had on her life.

— Beverly

Foster Parent

Knoxville, TN

Watch’s Samantha’s story of love and hope through Royal Family Kids Camp.

Past Camper’s Story

Samantha Orr suffered abuse and neglect for several years. The first instance of abuse begun when she was 6 months old and suffered from severe burns while being unattended by a space heater. In her early years, she was hit, thrown against the wall, and thrown down the stairs whenever her parents fought, which was very frequent. She was also malnourished, forced to eat scraps on the floor like a dog, and if caught “stealing” food from the garbage, she was punished with vinegar or tabasco sauce poured down her throat. When she was thirsty at night, she would quietly scoop the water in the back of the toilet to prevent her parents from hearing a faucet running.

She considered the person that called authorities on her parents to be angels. Before camp, “there was nothing happy in my life. So why would I need to be smiling for anything.” But God worked through the volunteers at Royal Family Kids Camp to reach her.

Watch Samantha’s compelling story of God’s love for her, how He saved her through Royal Family Kids Camp and gave her hope for a future.

Volunteer’s Testimony

“I didn’t know what to expect other than that God wanted me to go…

Surely, one of the best things that have happened in my life is being involved with Royal Family Kids.”

Bob, RFKC Counselor

Watch Bob’s full story. He has the perspective of a volunteer at Royal Family Kids Camp and Royal Family Kids Mentoring Club.

Church Testimony

I am the Lead Pastor of Discover Life Church, and we are hosting our 3rd Royal Family Kids Camp this summer. RFKC has been the greatest blessing for our congregation and has been nothing less than extraordinary.  

Through our first camp, we had 64 volunteers, and served 39 children. Our volunteers came back each year with their faith vitalized and it was contagious. We saw an increase in attendance and volunteer participation throughout our church departments, including children's ministry. We also experienced an increase in general giving.  Our youth ministry had a waiting list of teenagers that anticipated serving at camp. 

An unexpected benefit was the community recognition and engagement that camp brought to our church.  Multiple local newspapers, news stations, and businesses promoted and supported camp.  Our volunteers spread the word and the next camp, we took 98 full-time volunteers (and approximately 50 part time volunteers) and 49 kids.

In 2024, we plan on having 175+ volunteers, allowing us to take 100 kids to camp to experience God's love, hope, and healing of their broken hearts. 

I believe God works through this ministry and cannot express how impactful this camp has been to the health of our congregation. Every church should consider this local mission.

— Chad Fisher

Lead Pastor, Discover Life Church

Cape Girardeau, MO

More RFKC Stories

  • Camp was the first time I ever felt love and also the first time I let my guard down to receive it. The message that I carry with me all the time is "having a firm foundation" from my first year at camp. I moved to many foster homes and the message I learned my first year reminded me that no matter how temporary my "home" would be, God Himself IS and WILL ALWAYS be my firm foundation. RFKC has a very big piece of my heart, as a former camper and a counselor. Without it, I would not be the person I am today.

    Lizette M

    Former Camper (2007, 2008)

    Camp Counselor (2016)

    Bakersfield, CA

  • It was very obvious that all the children had a positive experience from Royal Family Kids Camp. The hope in strengthening a child's self esteem and aiding them in having a new perspective on life was definitely accomplished during this camp.

    Margaret M. Kozuch

    Midland County Family Indepedence Agency

  • Dear God, Thank you so much for these days. I am so happy I came to RFK Camp. I don't really know what else to say but thank you for everything You do for me. I'm done doing things my way and from here on out, I'm going to do things Your way. I'm going to continue to worship you until the day I die. I don't know what I'd do without You. I now understand all you do for me after coming to camp.

    Maizie, Camper

    Dear God Letter at RFKC Michigan

  • Last week was the best week of Braden's life. I asked if he wanted to return next year and he said... next week! We have noticed a calmer, more flexible Braden since his return. You folks are winning the battle in rehabilitating children that normally aren't fortunate enough to attend such a positive summer camp. Thank you!

    Sue Lehmann

    Social Services, Washington D.C.

  • The first day I came back to work after camp a Child Protective Specialist (CPS) worker immediately came up to me. She stated that she had gone to the shelter where the family lived to conduct a home-visit. As she was approaching the entrance, the three children ran up to her with smiling faces and began hugging her. The CPS worker stated she became paralyzed for a moment because of the reaction of the children. In the year she had been working with the children, they had never hugged her. In fact, they shunned touching because they had been sexually abused by their biological father. The CPS worker stated that she knew right away that the children’s reaction was the result of attending the Royal Family Kids Camp the previous week. She stated, “You guys must give them lots of unconditional love.”

    Tessa Garnes

    CSW & RFK Camp Social Worker

    Brooklyn, NY

  • The overall effectiveness of Royal Family Kids Camps that I have experienced is that one week at camp can be as effective as 1 year of counseling sessions.

    Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D