Royal Rangers is an adventure-based, merit-driven, faith-based, church ministry and mentoring program for boys in grades K-12[6], providing “Christlike character formation and servant leadership development for boys and young men in a highly relational and fun environment"[7]. The Royal Rangers program is active throughout the United States as well as in over 90 other nations; consequently, in 2002[8], Royal Rangers International (RRI) was started and "exists to establish, strengthen, and serve the growing number of nations seeking to impact the next generation through the Royal Rangers ministry." [9][10]. Royal Rangers in the USA is a boys-only program, unless the church does not have a girls ministry program; programs in some other nations allow both boys and girls to participate. The uniforms, mottos, practices and operation are derived from the Boy Scouts.
Royal Rangers' Mission is to "evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders."[11] (Formerly worded: To instruct, challenge, and inspire our boys in the areas of Bible doctrine, Christian service, moral conduct, and the basic beliefs of our church, through interesting activities that boy's enjoy[12].
The highest attainable award in Royal Rangers is the Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA). The GMA testifies to the persevering work, assiduous endurance, and ceaseless dedication towards the program, plus being equipped to be strong, intrepid leaders
- 1960 Rev. Burton Pierce comes to Springfield, Missouri as Men's Department Secretary. He helps develop "The Group of Brothers" — Burton Pierce, Lloyd Colbough, Charles Scott, Weldon Colbough, and Dick Champion — to pray for God's direction in the development of a new boys' program in the Assemblies of God.
- 1961 Rev. Pierce travels to Texas to meet North Texas District Christ Ambassadors President Johnnie Barnes. Rev. Johnnie Barnes is considered founder of Royal Rangers. Rev. Barnes's memorial tombstone states that he is the Royal Rangers Founder; the handbooks state he founded the ministry in 1962 as well.
- 1962 By January, Rev. Johnnie Barnes had moved to Springfield, Missouri to start putting together a program for boys. Rev. Charles Scott suggests the name "Royal Rangers". Rev. Barnes becomes the first Royal Rangers national commander. The first pilot program is conducted at Webster Park A/G in Springfield, Missouri, with a second unofficial pilot program conducted at Bethel A/G (also in Springfield, using the same materials.
- 1963 The Royal Rangers Leadership Training Course is developed.
- 1964 The first district-wide "pow wows" - large annual camps - are held. The Gold Medal of Achievement and the Medal of Valor awards are first offered.
- 1966 Royal Rangers ministries are set up in Australia and Latin America. The Frontiersmen Camping Fraternity (later Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship; FCF) is formed. The first Royal Rangers Week is held. It celebrates the Royal Rangers ministry and encourages reaching, teaching, and keeping boys for Christ.
- 1968 National Training Camps for Royal Rangers leaders are held in four states: Missouri, Colorado, New York, and California.
- 1972 The first National Training Camps (NTC) are held. [14]
- 1974 The first National Camporama - a camping event that happens every four years - is held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ministry established in Worcester, England.
- 1977 The National Royal Rangers Council is formed and meets in Springfield, Missouri.
- 1978 The second National Camporama was held in Farragut, Idaho[15].
- 1982 The third National Camporama was held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee[16].
- 1986 The National Royal Rangers Training Center (now "National Royal Rangers Center") at Eagle Rock, Missouri is dedicated; it is also called Camp Eagle Rock.
- 1989 National Commander Johnnie Barnes dies due to an apparent heart attack.[17] For twenty-seven years he led the Royal Rangers, developing its ministry. (Commander Barnes is buried in Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri.)
- 1989 Rev. Ken Hunt is named national commander. He guides the ministry for ten years. Under his leadership, the system for advancements expanded, a new Leader Manual is created, and National Royal Rangers Academy is launched[18].
- 1990 The first International Royal Rangers Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock, Missouri[19].
- 1994 The sixth National Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock[20].
- 1998 The seventh National Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock[21].
- 1999 Rev. Richard Mariott is appointed national commander. He was the commander for the Northern California/Nevada for seven years. Under his leadership, Camp Eagle Rock underwent great improvements, The curriculum of Royal Rangers and training programs also underwent substantial improvements and redevelopment. Furthermore, Royal Rangers Alumni (RRI) was established. Marriott's goals were to encourage Royal Rangers and develop new programs.
- 2002 Ranger Kids, the first portion of the newly revised Royal Rangers ministry, is tested and released to U.S. churches.
- 2002 The eighth National Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock[22].
- 2002 Royal Rangers International (RRI) is formed, which helps to coordinate efforts and needs of ~45 countries using Royal Rangers at the time[23].
- 2003 Discovery Rangers and Adventure Rangers materials are released to U.S. churches.
- 2004 Expedition Rangers materials are released to U.S. churches.
- 2006 The ninth National Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock[24].
- 2006 Rev. Richard Mariott announces that he will resign as National Commander on December 31, 2006.
- 2007 Rev. Doug Marsh is named National Commander. He was previously Director of Royal Rangers International. His appointment was effective February 1, 2007. Marsh will continue to also direct Royal Rangers International until a transition in leadership in that department can be made. Marsh is also the first National Commander to have been involved in the ministry of Royal Rangers as a boy, having earned his Gold Medal of Achievement.
- 2008 At their annual National Council in Springfield, Missouri. in March, Royal Rangers announces plans to expand the scope of the program beyond the traditional camping emphasis to include activities of common interest to all boys (i.e. sports, technology, trades, drama/arts, outdoors, and ministry).
- 2010 The new advancement system for Discovery Rangers, Adventure Rangers, and Expedition Rangers is released. This new system will run concurrently with the previous 2002 version until Dec 31, 2012.
- 2012 Royal Rangers USA celebrates its 50th Anniversary during its tenth National Camporama at Camp Eagle Rock in Eagle Rock, MO.
- 2014 Doug Marsh resigns as National Director to return to full-time leadership of Royal Rangers International.
- 2014 Karl Fleig, former District Men's Ministries Director for the Indiana district is appointed as the new National Director for Royal Rangers USA.
- 2016 The eleventh National Camporama is held at Camp Eagle Rock[25].
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