David Schnell is general manager of Los Angeles Express Lanes, a company that delivers technology solutions to the transportation industry involving electronic toll collection, commercial fleet operations, and motor vehicle services. He previously served in the Navy for 27 years and retired as a captain, having commanded two U.S. Navy warships. In addition to his current business responsibilities, David Schnell supports a number of charitable organizations, including volunteering as a counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp. Royal Family Kids Camp strives to help children in foster care ages 6-12 have life-changing experiences in a Christian environment. In the United States, there are 3.6 million reports of children being abused, neglected, or abandoned every year. Young people who are part of the foster care system and have been subjected to abuse and neglect are encouraged to visit the camp for a week of sports, fishing, games, swimming, and generally having fun - all in a safe environment under the close guidance of a counselor. Each counselor is rigorously trained to understand the effects of abuse and neglect on children - and each counselor is assigned only two campers, a mentor ratio that ensures that the counselors and campers truly get a chance to get to know each other. After the camp is over, there is a mentoring program to continue the special bonds that are created during the camp week, with the mentors and their mentees getting together for four hours each month with the goal of building a healthy and stable relationship. In the United States, 400,000 children are in the foster care system, and 74 percent of prison inmates were once in the system. Royal Family Kids Camp strives to shift this tragic pattern in a different direction, giving hope and creating connections for children that can change their lives forever.
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The vice president of operations at the Electronic Tolling Collection division of Xerox, Captain David Schnell commanded two US Navy warships during his 27-year military career. A longtime community service advocate, Captain David Schnell serves as a counselor with Royal Family KIDS Camp. A nonprofit organization dedicated to creating life-changing moments for children of abuse, Royal Family KIDS Camp offers a variety of camps for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Royal Family KIDS Camp also provides clubs and mentoring opportunities to help children stay connected after they leave camp. After the final day of camp, Royal Family KIDS Camp matches campers with a trained mentor. Kids and their mentors participate in fun activities and enjoy a healthy adult-child relationship. Because the camper has established a relationship with the mentor at camp, the mentor relationship already contains an element of trust. In general, all mentors and caregivers must commit to at least nine months. At the end of the day, mentorship provides an invaluable emotional and social resource for children recovering from abuse. To learn more about mentoring opportunities at Royal Family KIDS Camp, visit royalfamilykids.org. |
About Captain David SchnellA decorated officer of the United States Navy, Captain David Schnell earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Metal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal during his many years of service. Archives
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