In 1985, a pastor saw a need to provide hope to local foster children in Costa Mesa, California. The result — a week-long summer camp was held in the mountains. The goal — to create moments that matter for 37 foster children ages 6-12.
From 1990 to 2008, the organization steadily grew, serving more and more children each year and equipping more leaders from churches around the world to be able to serve children in foster care. Royal Family KIDS was well on its way to realize that its ultimate mission — to serve every foster child, ages 6-12 — could be possible.
More than at any point in the organization’s history, our volunteers have provided wraparound services to foster families and children in need-- from providing shoes, backpacks, to being a friend and mentor or even providing temporary shelter for a child. While our main office has always acknowledged this work, trends around the needs of these children and families have come to the surface and extreme gaps in fulfilling these needs remain-- providing an incredible opportunity for our organization to step in more wholly.
Royal Family KIDS Camp will always remain the cherished and premier program, alongside yearlong mentoring, however in order to address the systemic issues surrounding child welfare, the organization had to evolve.
As of November 2020, Royal Family KIDS, officially became For The Children. This change has allowed expansion into advocacy, awareness, fostering and adoption, volunteer engagement and more. Our staff and volunteers will continue to serve foster children through our RFK Camps and Mentoring but are encouraged and eager to place additional focus on the systemic issues facing our children around the globe.
