Royal Family Kids Of Lancaster County
About Royal Family Kids Of Lancaster County
Royal Family Kids of Lancaster County serves children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or relational trauma, especially children in foster care. The draw here is simple and specific: kids get a 5-day overnight summer camp, then keep seeing the same caring adults through a year-round mentoring club. For a child who has had too much inconsistency, that kind of steady relationship matters.
What sets this apart is the follow-through. After camp ends, children can keep building relationships through the RFK Mentoring Club, with the same adults staying in their lives throughout the year. The work is rooted in local churches and volunteer service, with Christian faith woven throughout the camp experience.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
5-day overnight summer camp
Provides children who have been abused and neglected, especially children in foster care, a 5-day overnight summer camp with activities woven through Trust-Based Relational Intervention.
RFK Mentoring Club
Provides year-round mentoring and club meetings for campers, including 4 hours of one-to-one mentoring each month and a 2-hour Saturday club meeting once a month from September to May.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To mobilize the local Church to create life-changing moments for children who have experienced relational trauma.
Who they serve
Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or relational trauma, especially children in foster care.
Their impact
- In the first year of the mentoring program, 25 children were mentored with 25 mentors and 10 club staff.
- Prior to the covid pandemic, over 50 children were being mentored.
How your donation helps
- Cover about $500 per camper to attend camp
- Cover about $500 per volunteer to serve at camp
- Pay for camp activities, transportation, and volunteer support
- Support the mentoring program and club meetings
Our story
The idea came to Lincoln after Mission Nebraska visited a Royal Family KIDS camp in Hastings in 2000. In early 2001, at least five churches agreed to help find adults willing to serve for a week, Mission Nebraska funded the first year, provided training and materials, and handled child referrals through HHHS. The mentoring club began in August 2012, and the organization later formed a board and received 501(c)(3) recognition in 2016.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Royal Family Kids Of Lancaster County’s services.
Families and social service workers can submit a camper interest form between January and March. If the child is selected, the family completes the application and required documents, and confirmation letters are sent once volunteer numbers and budget are confirmed. Transportation to camp is provided, and the camper registration fee is $10.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Camp week is my favorite week of the year and selfishly, I do it just for the opportunity to see how Jesus works in the lives of kids and adults like!
Instead of having to say “Goodbye” after camp, we now get to say “See you later” to many of our kids!
This camp has opened my eyes to my passion, which is to help the hurting children in our community.
It gave me a place where I felt safe, valued, and truly seen.
Events
Royal Family KIDS Camp
annual in JulyA 5-day overnight summer camp for children in foster care and other children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Golf Tournament
annualA fundraising golf tournament supporting the organization.
Eagle Raceway Fundraiser
annualA fundraising event supporting camp and mentoring expenses.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Royal Family Kids Of Lancaster County has shared.
Current needs
- Camp counselors and staff
- Mentors and club staff
- Part-time volunteers for check-in, check-out, and special camp activities
- Financial support for camper and volunteer camp costs
- Prayer partners during camp week
Volunteer opportunities
- Serve as a camp counselor or staff member for the full week of camp
- Volunteer part-time for check-in, check-out, or special activities such as the beach party or birthday day
- Join the Mentoring Club as a mentor or club staff member
- Become a prayer partner and receive updates during camp week
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does a child get into camp?
Families and social service workers submit a camper interest form between January and March. If a child is selected, the family completes the application and required documents, and confirmation letters go out once volunteer numbers and the budget are confirmed.
What does the mentoring program include?
Each child is paired with a mentor for 4 hours of one-to-one time each month. The RFK Club also meets for 2 hours one Saturday a month from September to May, and transportation is provided.
What happens during camp?
Camp is a 5-day overnight experience with non-competitive, fun activities. Kids may swim, zipline, spend time at the lake, and ride horses, and each child is paired with an adult counselor in a 1-to-2 ratio.
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