The Royal Family Kids is Healing Through Connection

Royal Family Kids is an international, faith-based, trauma-informed organization operating under the broader umbrella of «For the Children.» The organization has six Colorado chapters serving Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Its core mission is to provide life-changing camp experiences to children ages 7-11 who are in foster and kinship care. These programs address the unique needs of children in foster and kinship care and offer a safe, positive environment where children who have experienced abuse or neglect can simply «be kids» alongside peers who share similar backgrounds.

“We were the first camp in Colorado and our camp started in 1993, so we just celebrated our 33rd camp,” said Mikki LeVett, director of Royal Family Kids in Arvada. “We first send the applications to all returning campers who haven’t graduated yet, regardless of their current household status,” Mikki explained, noting that they also welcome returning children who have been reunified or adopted. 

What sets Royal Family Kids apart is its 100% volunteer-operated model. Every adult at camp is there by choice, a fact that resonates deeply with children who often feel people are only paid to be in their lives. To ensure safety and foster deep connection, the program utilizes a high volunteer-to-child ratio, often nearly doubling the number of staff to campers. All first time volunteers receive 12 hours of training and returning volunteers receive eight hours of training annually including training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), a philosophy that prioritizes connection and empowerment to support children with trauma histories.

«I think really it comes down to the fact that all of our volunteers are there because they want to be and they’re very aware of where the kids have come from and so our goal is really connection, it is connection, connection, connection,” said Bethany Van Mill, director of the Royal Family Kids Littleton chapter. 

The camps are faith-based but maintain a non-proselytizing environment, focusing on providing safe, supportive spaces rather than religious recruitment. The national organization provides theme content, activities and traditions designed to rebuild confidence and self-worth. Because many campers have never had their own celebration, the program hosts a massive birthday party for everyone. Other highlights include talent shows where every child is celebrated and process-oriented activities—such as woodworking, archery, mountain biking and rock climbing—that emphasize growth and effort over competition.  Each chapter’s camp photographer prepares a memory book for every camper, which includes professional portraits documenting their experiences.

“We have additional staff in the role of grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles who help support the big campers (camp counselors), we have family style dining, and many of our volunteers serve with two or three generations at the same time, so it’s good for kids to see what healthy family relationships look like,” said Miki of the family aspect of Royal Family Kids. 

The commitment to these children extends far beyond a single week in the summer. Through monthly «club» programs and individual mentoring, Royal Family Kids provides ongoing stability. Mentors spend at least four hours a month with their campers, often becoming a support system for the entire family. These year-round touchpoints, including field trips and holiday assistance, ensure that the lessons of confidence and worth learned at camp are reinforced throughout the year.

“The mentors pick them up, bring them to the church. We do a small camp environment with Bible stories. We do crafts. Then we’ll go and do something the rest of the day,” said Bethany of the monthly activities. “We’ll go horseback riding, we’ll go fishing, we’ll go hiking. This year we went to the ice exhibit over at the Gaylord Rockies, their big Christmas event.”

As a fully volunteer-driven organization, Royal Family Kids relies entirely on the community to sustain its mission. There is a constant need for background-checked volunteers to serve as guides, «aunts and uncles,» or activity leaders as well as camp nurse, a county social worker and trauma informed counselor. Additionally, because the program is free, monetary donations and in-kind support are vital to cover the significant costs of camp, training, and year-round mentoring. 

Colorado Royal Family Kids Summer 2027 dates are below. To ensure safety, specific camp locations are kept confidential and are situated in natural settings to provide children with a break from urban environments. 

RFK Littleton, July 26-30, 2027

RFK Arvada, July 12-16, 2027 

RFK Colorado Springs, June 14-18, 2027

RFK Parker, June 7-11, 2027 

RFK Timberline (Weld and Larimer)

RFK Boulder, June 1-5, 2027