Houghton Royal Family Kids Camp 2023: Making Moments Matter through Relationships

Houghton Royal Kids Camp, first hosted Allegany County campers in 1995. Our campers are referred to us by the Allegany County Department of Social Services because of histories of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. Many are in foster care situations, some with extended family. This summer, our estimated 65 volunteers will welcome 52 campers ages six through twelve to our 30th Houghton RFKC, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 7 - Friday, July 12, at Camp Asbury (Perry, NY).

Houghton Royal Family Kids Camp is one of more than 200 RFKC’s operating in more than 40 states and in several countries outside the United States. (See www.ForTheChildren.org for more information.)

There are several aspects of Royal Family Kids Camp that set it apart from other summer camp experiences. For instance, it is a camp that is entirely free to the families of the campers. It is completely staffed by volunteers who have been carefully selected and trained in trauma-informed care. The ratio of campers to Individual Counselors is 2:1, and at least two adults are always present when interacting with the campers. Each camper is guaranteed a spot at RFKC until he or shee “ages out” at age twelve.

For this reason, many of our campers return to RFKC for four, five, six or even seven years, depending upon their age during their first RFKC. More than 90% of our volunteers return to Houghton RFKC each summer, which means that our campers come to see Royal Family Kids Camp as their “home away from home” and the staff as part of an extended family, their Royal Family. RFKC is all about developing positive, healthy relationships with caring adults.

Our 2023 testimonial is based on a report from one of our counselors, Sarah. For the past two summer camps, Sarah has been with Lizzie and Mary, both 9 years old. On Lizzie’s application for 2023, her guardian, her maternal aunt, shared the following: Lizzie has been through a lot, including her mother’s death 2 years ago from a drug overdose, and her father is not able to take care of her. She hears from him about every 3 to 4 months. She has difficulty trusting people and has many fears. Lizzie’s counselor, Sarah, saw a lot of growth in Lizzie from our 2022 camp to RFKC this past summer. As Sarah said, She was like a different kid this summer. 

You could tell that she felt safe at camp. She wanted to talk to everyone and do everything. Sarah went on to say, Lizzie is one of the most stubborn, strong, independent, curious, big-hearted, resilient kids I know. When she opens up she does it in a big way– she sees situations and people in a way that most 9-years-old don’t, and even though she can be feisty, when it all comes down to it I haven’t met many kids with her ability to feel emotion and to empathize.

And, lastly, Sarah said, I can’t wait to hopefully work with them (Lizzie and Mary) both again next year!!!"

*Names have been changed.