July 8th-12th, 2013

Foster children have it rough.

More than half the foster children in South Carolina score below basic in math and reading. They are more likely to drop out of school, end up in jail or on the streets, and repeat the pattern of abuse and neglect that took them out of their homes. There are over 4,800 foster children in South Carolina. Some are in great foster homes with loving caregivers. Some have been moved around more times than they can count.

Imagine being only nine years old, having lived in ten different homes, with all your possessions fitting into a carry-on luggage bag. It’s not uncommon. These precious children need desperately to know the love of Christ, to feel valued and accepted, to feel special.

That’s the mission of Summerville Royal Family Kids’ Camp. Going into our third year, we hope to share the love of Christ with 36 special 7-11 year-old children. We’ll build on the experience of our first two years to make this camp even better.

Our campers feel the love and make memories as they swim, fish, tie-dye shirts and build birdhouses. Each day, they learn new songs and are entertained with Biblically-based drama that draws them in and teaches them life lessons. They learn to trust and build teamwork and they learn to encourage each other. That’s a lot for children that often come to us filled with anger and bitterness. They simply can’t resist the love of Jesus and our volunteers love to share it.

One of the highlights of camp is everyone’s birthday party. We make it special with piñatas, water slide jump castles, presents, and a birthday cake for each month. Many of them blow out birthday candles for the first time in their lives.

Thursday night’s talent show is entertaining beyond imagination with creativity that must be seen to be believed.

Pray for our camp this year.

Pray for the kids who will attend.

Pray our volunteers get the time off work and especially to have their hearts ready for this demanding week.

Pray for our funding and resources. And pray that July 9th-13th will be a little bit cooler this year.

It’s a demanding week for our volunteers but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

For more information, visit our website at: http://www.summerville.royalfamilykids.org

Or contact our director, Chuck Peterson, at 843-568-3352