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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Top Christmas gift for Kanakuk Kampers

To say that Kanakuk is important to Jennifer Farley would be an understatement.

Jennifer Farley, a.k.a. “Reno”, is the Assistant Women’s Director at K-1. Her Kamp experience began in 1989 at K-Kountry where she accepted Christ as a Kamper in Barn 5. She went on to spend two years there, three years at K-West and two years at K-2. She began her Kamp staff career in 1997 as a counselor and has worked a variety of jobs including the Osage Mama, the scheduler and Assistant Women’s Director.

Needless to say, Reno loves Kamp.

Recently she shared with us that summers at Kanakuk were her birthday and Christmas present for the seven years she attended as a Kamper. In fact, she wanted to share a special video from “Christmas Past.” She get's a little excited about it to say the least :-)



That’s Reno being surprised with the gift of Kamp. Like every year, Kamp remains a popular Christmas gift for Kanakuk Kampers. And it’s easy to give the gift of Kamp.

Simply go to KANAKUK.com and click on the graphic that says “Give Kamp for Christmas”. After you’ve purchased your gift, download and print this Stocking Stuffer to give on Christmas day (or whenever you open presents).



And make sure you have the camera rolling as your Kamper opens the gift. Capture the moment on film, send it to us and we’ll post as many videos on here as we can.

Merry Christmas!

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Kamp Life Video Behind the scenes

They say that imitation is the purest form of flattery, so it was not completely unintentional that the new KampLife video resembles the famous "Swagger Wagon" video from Toyota. But more importantly this video is built to connect with the kinds of college students I personally want working with my kids at Kanakuk Kamps. Each year Kanakuk Kamps, K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp and Kids Across America travel to 300 colleges and universities across the country searching for summer staff that first have a heart for Christ and second a desire to reach children by serving at summer camp. Many of the staff we hire are involved in campus ministries, collegiate sports, and/or have been a camper at one of our camps. Personal interviews are done and applicants provide references that are checked. For more on Kanakuk Kamps hiring practices go here.

Behind the scenes: The KampLife video was scripted and produced by the full-time and summer video staff (April, Bailey, Kenzie) at Kanakuk Kamps during the 2010 camping season. Footage was shot and rough edited over a 8 week period and final editing done by our very own Tim Oliphant. Couple items of note: Joe White is the coolest boss ever and a real sport for filming his part. Only one family was used in the shooting of the K-Kauai section. At the end of the video the final line is "Rock 'em wisdom son."

We hope that people enjoy the KampLife video and share it with their friends. If you know a great college aged person that would be a great fit for a summer serving at Kids Across America or Kanakuk Kamps then forward them this link and have them slide on over to our Staff page for more information about a summer job that can really make a difference.

Follow Kanakuk on Twitter for more timely updates and insights into KampLife!

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Out of Kamp and back to the office

When Kamp is in session, the main offices are incredibly quiet. With half of the staff serving at their respective Kamps, there are many vacated offices. After Kamp is over many of the directors go on vacation. The break in Kanakuk world doesn't last long and quickly begins buzzing once again. As of Monday next week, preparation for next summer will be in full swing.

You see; while Kampers are only here for 70+ days out of the year, full-time staff works year-round to prepare. This year, it is our desire here at Inside Kanakuk to give you a sneak-peek into Kanakuk 365. There is much to be done to get ready for the over 10,000 Kampers and families coming to share summer 2011 with us.

From directors travel plans to exciting new programs we want to keep you in the loop and informed. Don't forget to stay in touch with us, you are part of the Kanakuk Family!

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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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Tearing down and packing up…

August 12 will mark the end of Kanakuk summer 2010. On that day Kanakuk-land will go from having roughly 1500 Kampers and 600 staff at breakfast to what could be considered a ghost-town by evening.

During the last 2-weeks of the summer the leadership, maintenance, and staff work very hard to begin taking down Kamp one piece at a time. Over a period of a few days basketball goals no longer have nets, trampolines just become large open holes in the ground, boats are scrubbed from bow to stern and even the blob is deflated. All of these things are then securely put away where they will be safe until Kampers come again next summer.

Amazingly, it is rare for a Kamper to notice all of these changes as they are being made. Directors are strategic in how they take apart Kamp so it does not affect the Kamper experience. As soon as a class is taught for the last time this summer the maintenance men come in and begin putting things away.

No one ever thinks about all the work that must go into putting together or taking apart Kanakuk in the summer, but this staff is trained from years of experience on how to do it as efficiently as possible. By the end of the day on Thursday Kanakuk will be wrapped up for a summer. Another fantastic summer where lives were changed and Christ was glorified.

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I'm Third

An “I’m Third” Story

After spending five summers at Kanakuk, brother and sister twins departed for college for their freshman year. They carried along with them their Christian character and the many spiritual treasures they received at Kamp. Even before unpacking their bags, each of them placed their I’m Third card on their bulletin board in their dorm room and sought to be true to that motto in every decision they made.



Often, friends would drop by their room and ask them about the I’m Third card on their wall. Each would respond the same way. “I’ll tell you the ‘why’ of the I’m Third the week I graduate from college.”

Throughout college they kept their morals pure and always sought to keep God first, others second and themselves third.



At the end of their senior year, their friends poured into each of their rooms to hear the story of the I’m Third card. They both gave their many friends a similar answer, saying, “at Kamp I received this card that reminded me to always keep God first by loving Him with all my heart. Likewise it reminds me to try to put my friends needs above my own and this card simply means, ‘I’m third’.”



A reverent hush now fell upon their friends as each understood why he had been elected President of the student body and she the Captain of her track and cross country team. In the four years that had passed, no one was ever turned away who came to these two in need of prayer or just a shoulder to lean on. To be with this brother or sister was to be with a follower of Christ and many had come to know Him because these two were faithful to keep God first, others second, and “I’m third.”

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A Mom's story

It’s always fun to hear stories from past Kampers. I recently received an email from a mom who was a past Kamper. This is her story.

July 19, 2010
“I first attended Kanakuk-Kanakomo in 1978 - just before my tenth birthday. I wasn't even told I was going to kamp until the night before and I was told I was going for 28 days. When we arrived at the bus the next morning, I wouldn't even get on the K1 bus, but insisted on riding the K2 bus with my sister. I cried the whole way. The second I stepped off the bus, I didn't shed another tear. It was a BLAST! I remember closing ceremonies and the skits and awards that were given. I never really understood what was going on it was such a whirlwind. I just went from activity to activity the whole time. I had never been so busy in all my life. I never felt such encouragement and acceptance than at Kanakuk. I returned to Kanakuk K2 in 1981. Again, my life was so touched.
In 1997, I placed my 9-year-old daughter on the bus of K-Kountry. I'll never forget when we arrived at closing ceremonies how different they all looked in only 14 days (my 2 nieces went as well). The bubbly spirit, maturity, dark tans, etc. That night when we returned after dark, they were all coming down the hill to meet up with us and all you could see were their glowing crosses around their necks. The chants, the awards and the wonderful spiritual influence they received was REMARKABLE and MEMORABLE and forever impacted my child.



Thirteen years later, today, I placed my second daughter, now 17 on the bus... possibly for the last time as a kamper. She is talking about being an OSAGE next year... She was bursting and beaming with excitement. The excitement of the sports and all around fun, but the excitement of knowing she will be challenged like no other time of year to WALK her talk with God. She is excited to see what God has in store for her this year. She's had some difficult twists and turns in her life these past 12 months.... the teen years are HARD.




Kanakuk is such a "refuge in the rock" from the hard lives our teens face each and every day. God has truly blessed Kanakuk! Let's not ever forget that these staff love the Lord and want to see our lives changed for the better, fill our children with zest for life, love for the lord and that having fun can be GOOD, CLEAN FUN! Let us never forget God's forgiveness and grace is ALWAYS abundant. We never fall too far to be forgiven. He is ALWAYS by our side. I thank Joe and the others for instilling that in my kamper. I can't talk about Kanakuk, read the posts, look at the pictures or read mail from my kiddo without tears. Tears of joy, gladness, thankfulness, and gratitude KNOWING how the lives of so many are being shaped by WONDERFUL kounselors and staff who love our kids and love the Lord. THANK YOU!!! FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!”

If there is one thing Kanakuk is not lacking this time of year it is kids playing in the water! Whether it's playing in the lake or blobbing in the pool as I traveled around the Kamps this past week it was clear the only way to stay cool on these hot summer days is to Just add Water!

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Faith in the trees

Over the years as a Kanakuk Kamper and staff person there were many things that challenged & strenthened my faith. As an 8-year-old at K-7 I put my faith in Christ as I accepted Him as my Savior. When I was 10, I learned about faith as I built up the courage to go off of the K-7 trapeze into the pool for the first time. When I was 13, my faith was strengthened as I was went to K-West for 2 weeks instead of my regular 1 week term. As a staff my faith was strengthened in learning how to find energy from the Lord morning after morning.

Kamp’s structure increases confidence, maturity and most of all strengthens faith. High-ropes elements are a key part to all of this. The first time I can remember having to put faith in something other than myself was when I was faced with the treetops course at K-7.

I was in teepee 9, and I had waited for such a long time to be old enough to do treetops. With confidence I put on my harness, grabbed my partner, said my commands and began my assent into the trees. Having never been scared of heights before I began the first challenge and encouraged my hesitant partner out onto the swinging log. We made it through and were off to the polls that were shaped like a diamond. This was said to be the hardest element in treetops and it didn’t take my partner and I long to realize we needed each other to make it through this one. As we got to the hardest part, bothwith tears in our eyes and fear covering our faces we froze. The view to the ground was terrifying and the fact that we were harnessed in completely left us. We were scared, and we didn’t know what to do.

It was at that point that a kind familiar voice from below called out to us. “Girls, you can do this, I have faith in you,” our counselor was below cheering us on. As we began to take another step, my partner Sarah’s foot slipped and we both went tumbling. Our harnesses caught us and we both began to laugh. We had forgotten the most important part was that no matter what we did we weren’t going to fall too far because we were harnessed.

It was that day that faith became real for Sarah and I. It was the first time either of us had experienced an illustration of faith. After we were off of treetops our counselor came and talked to us about it. She helped us process how our faith is similar to treetops. There will be times when we are terrified and don’t know what to do and that is when we remember God is in control.

It is moments and memories like this that impact kids every day at Kanakuk. And for these moments I am eternally grateful.

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