“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity…”

In Psalm 68 verses five and six, David sings of the great hope that we have in the Lord. We rejoice in the knowledge that God redeems the weary and the downtrodden, and as Christians, we seek to bring this hope to those around us—to the prisoners, to the solitary, to the widows, and to the fatherless… So, in 1985, Pastor Wayne Tesch and his wife, Diane, established a mission to bring this hope to the “fatherless.” Believing that God would complete these words of the psalmist through the local church, the first Royal Family KIDS Camp was born. Their goal: to create moments that matter for children in foster care aged six to twelve. Forty years ago, they answered God’s call to launch this mission, laying the foundation fora movement that has since touched more than 160,000 children’s lives.

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It was an honor to host the “Family Reunion,” our 40^th celebration, back in March where a joyful gathering of friends, alumni, and partners took place. It was an opportunity to treat people royally, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate the countless lives touched by Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring. A special highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to honor our founders. Their vision, courage, and faithfulness continue to inspire us, and it was a privilege to thank them for the legacy they have entrusted to us.

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Since that first camp forty years ago, more camp programs have been established across the country, and a year-round mentoring program was launched. What started as one California church hosting a group of children in foster care has since grown exponentially. The vast need of the children that Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring programs serve is only confirmed with every camp, mentoring event, and intentional moment. Wayne Tesch describes an unforgettable experience on the bus ride to the first camp forty years ago:

“I’ll never forget the bus ride up the mountain: I’m walking down the aisle and a little kid looked up at me and, in a fit of rage and anger, said, ‘You can’t hurt me! I’ve been beaten before—you’ll never hurt me!’ I saw places where children’s hair had been pulled out, and I’m on the bus! I hadn’t even started the week yet.” ¹

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Every volunteer can recall a moment or an interaction that broke their heart and showed them the tremendous trauma and brokenness that these children are living in. And still, every volunteer can recall multiple moments that reaffirm the invaluable impact that our camp and mentoring programs have, whether it be a child’s genuine smile that wasn’t there at the beginning of the week or a report from a social worker or care-giver that their child is completely changed. Our programs truly do change lives. And at every step of the way, committed volunteers at local churches, powered by the love and calling of Christ, pushed this movement forward. By God’s grace, For The Children has grown into a global ministry serving children in 44 U.S. states and nine countries.

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Over 160,000 children have been welcomed into the “Royal Family” through life-changing moments made at camp and mentoring. 

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Yet there is so much more work to be done. Wendy McMahan, President of For The Children, writes, “The heartbreaking reality is that there are still countless children who have never experienced the healing love we witness each summer and throughout the year. That is why For The Children is stepping into the next decade with bold faith and renewed vision.” ² We believe that God is just getting started, and in the next ten years, we believe He will help us grow new chapters at churches in underserved cities, states, and countries. We will deepen the impact of our programs by using state-of-the-art resources for trauma-informed care, and together, we will serve 100,000 more children through Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring. We believe that God will show Himself to be a “father to the fatherless” and “settle the solitary in a home ”as children are welcomed through the local Church (Psalm 68:5-6). By expanding our reach and partnering with more churches in cities, states, and countries still waiting for their first chapter, we are setting our sights on a God-sized goal: to serve 100,000 more children by 2035 through Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring. So, let’s celebrate what God has done in 40 years of Treating People Royally...the churches He has called, the volunteers He has empowered, and the precious children He loves. And let’s look forward to the future, as together, we create life-changing moments for more children than ever before. 

¹ “Celebrating40 Royal Years.” For the Children.

² McMahan, Wendy. “Reflecting on the Year – 2025 Annual Report.”

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