About

Royal Family KIDS Camp is a FREE faith-based summer camp for children in foster care or who have previously been in foster care. We serve ages 7-11 and focus on giving the kids a safe environment where they are free to be kids again. The North Bend Camp serves primarily Knox county in Ohio, but we accept kids from the surrounding counties as well.

Since foster kids have unique needs, we do things a little differently than a regular summer camp. Each counselor cares for only two kids instead of a group of kids. There are also many secondary staff available to guarantee the safety of the children. We practice a “two deep” rule which means no adult is ever alone with a child. Two trained adults are always present wherever the children go.

The staff are required to go through training every year to better recognize the needs of foster kids. We also keep a professional counselor on staff to advise us and help with difficult issues. Our counselor is required to have credentials recognized by the state of Ohio.  

We have regular summer camp activities like swimming, fishing, boating, crafts, nature study and sports, but we also mix in some teaching about God based on the Christian faith. Two of the favorite activities are riding horses and interacting with the therapy dogs. The birthday party is the best activity where every child’s birthday is celebrated with gifts, cake and ice cream. (Keep that to yourself though. It’s supposed to be a surprise!)

North Bend Church of the Brethren sponsors our local camp and provides most of the funding. Although we are funded by a church, we don’t function like a typical church camp. Church camp tends to gear everything towards making a commitment to God during camp. Our counselors talk about God whenever possible, but we don’t try to force the conversation. We want the kids to have the freedom to make their own decisions without feeling like they have to please us.

Royal Family KIDS camp is about treating each child like royalty. Our goal is to show children God’s love and help them realize how precious they are. Hopefully we plant the seeds of self-worth and give them a chance to believe in a better future for themselves.