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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