Friendly Rocks

Kanakuk is covered in pea gravel. You know, the kind of rocks that get stuck in your shoes and drive you nuts for days. It does however provide a resource for a Kamp tradition that has been around as long as I can remember. “Friendship Rocks” are rocks with holes all the way through them and they are a hot commodity this time of year. When a Kamper finds a rock with a hole in it they give it to a friend to wear. Believe me, it is a big deal to find a friendship rock. Walking through Kamp it isn’t considered strange to see a few kids sitting down and searching for friendship rocks.



Since there are millions of rocks all over Kamp, finding these rarities is both challenging and fun! As a former Kamper, every time I see a rock with a hole in it a flood of memories fill my mind of Kanakuk friends. It’s the little things that make this Kamp so magical. A place that sticks with you throughout your life...

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Kamper Ryan Alexander Signs with ARMY

It's always fun when we see former Kanakuk Kampers excel in their athletic endeavors, but even more fun when they excel as leaders. I received the following email from a former Kanakuk summer staff guy and cousin of Kamper Ryan Alexander.

My name is Justin Rader (OSU and worked at Kanakuk Klassic 4 summers. ROLL IT BACK!)...my cousin, Ryan Alexander is 18 and a senior at Canadian High School. He attended Kanakuk Klassic, K2, and possibly another camp (can't remember), but Kamp has had a huge impact on him, just like it did on me, and he has become a super leader on his team, in school, and in our town.

I know he's my cousin and all, but I seriously respect the discipline to work out, read the Word, and live an I'm 3rd life that Ryan has shown. Kamp has been a major factor in his life and is what got a lot of that kicked off for him.

After an amazing highschool football career and chasing a lot of leads with lots and lots of disappointing news in the college football category, Ryan's faith has been put to the test time after time. God has proven Himself to be good and tomorrow morning (Tuesday, the 7th) Ryan is officially signing to play for Army. It's a huge answered prayer for us as his family, but it's a huge praise to the Lord for his faithfulness too.

Congratulations Ryan and thanks Justin for encouraging us all to lift one another up!

Well Ryan did sign with ARMY and you can read about it here or see Ryan sack a "baaazillion" quarterbacks here or an interview after the break.






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How Kanakuk Summer Camp Lasts All Year

A proud Kanakuk Kamper who served others in sacrificial ways this summer.
He received special recognition while at Kamp.

Arguably the most intense 75 days of summer camping just came to a close at Kanakuk Kamps. The surface of every pool may be glassy smooth, but summer 2010 will never be over. Summer camp moments experienced at Kanakuk will continue in the hearts of our Kampers and staff forever. How do I know this?

I know because Kanakuk Kampers and staff have taken something special from this place and they are spreading it all over the World! The final day of Kamp I talked to Terek a Kamper from Cairo Egypt who was headed home to tell his brother about Kanakuk. The word about Kanakuk is spreading even to Cairo. But more importantly the impact and message of Jesus Christ is being shared. And, that will last forever.

That same closing day, those seated near Kamper Cameron on a flight out of Springfield, Missouri heard a testimony they won’t soon forget. I received an e-mail from a man who was on that same flight. As the plane pulled skyward he heard a young boy behind him talking about Kanakuk Kamps. The boy happened to be seated next to a pastor who had never heard of Kanakuk and the young boy was eagerly sharing about his experience at Kamp and how he had never felt so close to Christ, or realized the importance of Jesus.

Cameron had no idea his excitement over his Kanakuk experience and new found passion for his relationship with Christ would be so contagious. By telling his story, he impacted the lives of those on the plane One Heart at a Time.

Stories like this are why we continue the work here at Kanakuk Ministries. Kanakuk is passionate about encouraging kids in their walk with the Lord, and shaping lives.

Throughout the coming months more stories from our Kampers and staff will be posted here. We have a great Kamp family, thousands who are impacting the lives of those around them One Heart at a Time.

Do you have a One Heart at a Time story to tell?

Between posts check out a few other One Heart at a Time stories at: www.kanakukoneheart.org.

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Closing out the first few terms at Kamp

Well it is that time of the summer. The time when a third of the way through we have a huge exchange of people at Kamp. One week, two week and month long terms all will be drawing to a close this Friday.

During the few days leading up to the close of a term it always seems to be jam-packed with everything Kampers and counselors want to make sure and do before they head back to their homes. During the past week I have spent a large amount of my time out at Kamp capturing these last few memories and moments that make Kanakuk the indescribable place that it is! Praise the Lord for an awesome first few terms! So excited to see what He has planned for the rest of the summer!

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More than a summer camp

Well Kanakuk has officially been in session for 17 days! It’s amazing to think about all that has already occurred in the first two and a half weeks. By the sounds of the laughter around Kamp, I would say there is a lot of fun going on around here!

As a former Kamper myself, I remember the anticipation of counting down the days, packing up my trunk, driving in the Kamp gates as excitement grew and anxiously awaiting Kounselors dressed in crazy clothes to grab me out of my parents car and take me to my new home for the next two weeks. Kamp was a thrill disguised as one of the many things that shaped me into who I am today and I am so thankful for the memories.

Over the past few weeks I have been contacted by a few people who had amazing memories of Kamp and the impact it has had on their lives. In celebration of Kamp’s 85^th anniversary they wanted to share and thank Kamp for all it has done in them.

I would love to hear from you too! If you are a past Kamper, staff or even a parent of a current Kamper who has a fun story to tell about the impact Kamp has had please email it to us at Stocker@KLife.com or message Kanakuk Kamps on Facebook.

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Kanakuk Packing Essentials

Kamp Essentials

Whether it is your first or your 5^th time sending your child to Kanakuk, the question on every mom’s mind is “what do I need to pack for my child?” Making sure they have everything they need, but not everything they own can be tough, but coming from an 8 year Kamper I can honestly say the less they take the less you will lose.

While Kamp does have a strict policy of making sure everything a Kamper brings into Kamp is labeled with their name, it is still a regular occurrence for things to be forgotten, left behind or mixed up in another Kamper’s trunk.

Kanakuk provides an extensive list of items a Kamper must bring with them for their stay. There are, however, a few things you absolutely do not want to forget when sending your kid to Kamp for 7,13, or 25 days. I recently conducted a survey on Facebook to see what our past Kanakuk Kampers see as “must haves” when it comes to packing for Kamp. This is what I they told me.

Crazy Creek (camping chair)

Water bottle

Swimsuit (modest one-piece for girls)

Tribal colored clothes

A fan (battery operated)

Party Clothes (for themed nights and for fun during the day)

Bible

Flashlight

Coloring book

Underwear / lots of socks

Duck tape for sheets (to keep them from slipping off of the small beds)

Bug Spray

Stationary to write your parents

Tennis Shoes

Water Shoes

Shower shoes

Now I’m not saying a Kamper has to have any of this. This is purely coming from Kampers who have been before, have lived in a barn or a teepee and know what it takes to make it an awesome 7,13, or 25 day experience!

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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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Kanakuk Kampers at Men at the Cross

There was more than one Kanakuk Kamper at the Houston Men at the Cross event. Lots of Kanakuk parents too. This is a picture of Joe White with Cody Reeter and his friend Stephen Snow. Thanks you guys for coming to the event!

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