Kanakuk Starts Year-round Friendships

K-Seven Kampers work together during challenge course activity.

We love hearing from our Kamp family—especially when you tell us how Kamp principles impact you and your kids back home.  It totally makes our day when we hear about someone in our Kamp family stretching her faith to the next level, and depending on Kamp friends and counselors during the year to strengthen her walk with Christ.  

Just recently, a K-Seven Kamp mom sent me an encouraging letter about her high school daughter Kelsey. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

Kanakuk is, in my opinion, one of the very best spiritual investments a parent can make for their children.  It has instilled in Kelsey a love for God, His word, and the importance of staying connected to a small group of Godly people who encourage and hold you accountable.  Kelsey’s best friend is a fellow Kamper who’s been with her the past 3 summers.  They live 5 hours apart but talk regularly, and Hannah is who Kelsey calls when she needs to talk to a Godly friend.

Just last month, she called Becca, one of her counselors from 2 years ago, and got tremendous encouragement from her.  Becca had Kelsey going all through the Bible, using scripture to help her.  Wow!  What a comfort to a mom, when we need spiritual help in raising our kids!

Kids are our greatest national resource; each one is uniquely made and important to God. Our desire is to place tools in the hands of our Kampers, so that when they get home, they understand how to live with integrity, how to stand up to peer pressure, and how to stay encouraged in their walk with Christ. Hearing how Kelsey stays strong by locking arms with her Kamp friends and counselors  is exactly what our Kamp family is all about:  Helping each Kamper influence and make an eternal impact within her circle of friends...so that the love of Christ is spread to every life, every home, every neighborhood.  

One Heart at a Time.

How has Kamp impacted you / your family?

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K-Seven Kamper win's BIG!

One of our Kampers, David Mullings (second from right), had a big win with his baseball team this summer. His team, El Paso Heat won the State of Texas - USSSA Little League - West Texas Division Tournament. The team had an unbelievable season as they went 22-7. We are so proud of you and your team David!

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2011 Kanakuk Summer Theme Announcement

Key Theme Verse: James 1:22 - “prove yourselves doers of the word”

Kanakuk Kamps Mission: Developing dynamic Christian leaders through life-changing experiences, Godly relationships, and spiritual training.

The goal of the 2011 summer theme: That all Kampers would take home spiritual principles from James and apply them to their spiritual walk.

Check out the Theme announcement video HERE.


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Kanakuk K-7 Party

A little confusion about the K-Seven party this year is the inspiration for this post. If an explanation is what you're looking for K-Seven is here to help you out!

All across Kanakuk-land there are a few magical nights a term where Kamp is transformed to another place and time. It’s party night and it’s time to get dressed up in your favorite costume and boogie! In the past, K-Seven only had one or two “dress-up” nights because of their shorter terms. This year, however, they are shakin’ things up in a big way and having a party all week long!

That’s right you crazy Kampers get excited because this year K-Seven is going to time-travel to a different decade every day and you get to dress up almost every night!

So what do you need to bring?

Well it’s really up to you, go raid your parents closets, ask your grandparents what they wore and find the most Rad-Tad Bodaciously Awesome Dancing through the decades wardrobe you can come up with!

Theme days

Sock-Hoppin through the 50’s – grab your poodle skirt and leather jackets, slick back your hear with gel and let’s twist and shout our way through a night of fun 50’s music!

Beach Boys Beach Party (60’s) – Back when Hawaiian shirts were what everyone wore and ruffles were on every girl’s bathing suit! Find your best beachwear and join us for a 60’s beach party K-style.

K-Life night is going Retro! 70’s - bellbottoms, afros, silk scarves, big sunglasses and tie-dye are a must for this groovy night as we disco dance the night away at K-Life!

Finishing out the week, K-Seven wouldn’t be complete without a talent show. This year we are filling it with 80’s excitement and the phrase “if it isn’t neon it shouldn’t be on.” So find anything and everything you can from the 80’s. Parachute pants, BIG hair and aviators; this is going to be a talent show you won’t want to miss!

So there you have it, K-Seven is changing it up this year and giving you more opportunities to dress up than ever before! Can’t wait to see you dancing through the decades.

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How old should your child be when they go to camp?

I recently had the following email exchange with a Kamp family. I thought many of our Kamp families might relate and be able to share their own stories of younger syblings yearning for Kamp!
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Dear Kanakuk,

Our children are at K-7 right now (max and libby) and we are just so grateful to Kanakuk for providing THE BEST summers of their lives. Our 6 year old Maddy is counting down until she gets to go next year. Thanks so much for your commitment to Christ and kids. Thanks too for all the updates on the flu issue. We never had any doubt that Kamp would be the safest place to be for our kids due to all of you. We sure appreciate all of you.

Thanks so much,
Ryan and Rochelle

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Dear Ryan and Rochelle,

When our Kamp families take the time to write us an encouraging email, our hearts melt! As a fellow Kamp parent I would like to take a few minutes to share a story with you about my daughter Hannah. She’s 8 and has now attended Kamp for two summers. Her two older brothers have attended for many years. When Hannah was 4 years old getting ready to turn 5, people would ask her how old she was going to be and she would answer “7”. One day I was able to convince her that “No sweetie, you are going to be 5.” She finally agreed and said “OK, but next year I’ll be 7!” All because 7 is that magic age when our kids get to go to Kamp! What a special opportunity that we can send our kids to be with people like Keith Chancey and these incredible college staffers. We give God all the praise! Thanks for pulling along side us. We want to do the same for your family. Have a great rest of the summer and school year!

Jay Holden
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Jay,

Thanks for writing us back. Great story and feel free to share our comment. Kanakuk is the greatest place on Earth--I just wish I was still a Kamper!! Of course, they had another great time as we picked up yesterday.

God bless you all,
Rochelle and Ryan

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Leave a comment below. We'd love to hear your story too!


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Hidden Gems of the Ozarks #1

This summer I'm going to run a series of posts that highlight some of the Hidden Gems of the Ozarks, those people, places and things you just shouldn't miss when you drop off or pick-up your child from Kamp this summer. So here is #1 and perhaps the tastiest!

#1 Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Shake at Dairyland

It seems that everywhere you travel that in some small town there is a generic "Dairyland" well the Ozarks is no exception. Kanakuk families traveling back and forth along 86 Highway to the Lampe Kamps have probably seen this Dairyland. There's nothing special about the building, matter of fact the last coat of paint didn't even help that much, but inside they make a Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Shake (or malt) that is as rich and creamy as they come. The peanut butter clings to the side of the cup. Everyone who eats one knows this because when the straw starts making that empty sucking sound you open the lid to make sure there isn't just a little more. So stop in and have a burger if you want, but don't miss this hidden gem. Happy sipping!

Tell 'em "Kanakuk sent me!" They'll be surprised.

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