Beyond the Tricks

Our first week of mobile camp is officially in the books — and what a week it was! Right from check-in, we knew this week was going to be special. First day introductions went off without a hitch, and our church host welcomed us with incredible hospitality. We had six campers: three returning ROYAL kids and three brand new faces. Word of mouth worked wonders; new campers were eager to experience what they’d heard from returning friends. One returner shared they couldn’t wait to sign up again this year because last summer was so impactful — that’s the kind of excitement we love to see!

Confident, Consistent, and Unstoppable

Even though nerves were high at first, the team adjusted quickly to each new area. Campers clicked with each other almost instantly. We started each day with morning devos that helped everyone grow in “confidence and consistency” — not just in their riding, but also in their walk with Jesus.

Our week wasn’t without challenges: Monday’s closure of Bradley Bike Park forced us to pivot to another park, but the kids enjoyed the new ride spot, which was dialed. The heat wave (95° and dry!) pushed everyone to the limit, but extra snacks and drinks kept spirits high and bodies fueled. By the last day, riders were tired but stoked, hitting some great spots and showing off what they’d learned.

Highlights included:

  • Meeting a 10-year-old rider at Gale Webb who kept coming back to hang out — he got a taste of the ROYAL experience, and we loved seeing him share it with friends around him.
  • Wednesday’s session at Pat’s house, where kids realized just how tough progression can be. When confidence dipped, we regrouped, encouraged each other, and found a second wind — plus, new tricks were landed thanks to the resi ramp, and everyone cooled off with an impromptu swim at Pat’s pool.
  • Some campers brought journals from last year and got quizzed on the ROYAL acronym, showing they carried lessons forward.
  • A club time at the bay helped deepen friendships beyond riding, and conversations flowed naturally.
  • Best of all: zero injuries all week! We were out “in the wild,” setting an example in real-life situations and showing what it means to live out ROYAL’s values day-to-day.

From Backyard Ramps to Lifelong Impact

One of the most meaningful moments of the week was captured perfectly by our support coach David Stringfellow:

“Camp ROYAL’s mountain bike camp this year was a joy to experience. We were privileged to receive special permission to ride at BMX legend Pat Casey’s house one of the camp days. Tragically, Pat passed away two years ago. Impacted greatly by his career, our campers were over the moon to honor Pat’s life by shredding his incredible backyard ramps. A big thanks goes to the Casey family for the opportunity.”

Capping the week, we challenged campers with a Bible app plan to stay engaged with Jesus and each other beyond camp. We saw ROYAL truly come alive through heartfelt conversations and friendships ignited by a shared love for action sports. By the end, kids were already stoked for next year, asking what the plan was for 2026. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our mobile camp journey.

Thanks to everyone — campers, families, hosts, and supporters — who made this week an unforgettable launch. We’re excited to keep the momentum going. See you out there!

Want to see more of this? ROYAL on the Regular is a biweekly email designed to share what God is speaking to us daily through blog-like articles, highlights of the people behind the program, and updates on what is happening in and around ROYAL.

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