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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