Friends are Friends Forever

In the words of Michael W. Smith "friends are friends forever." As the theme song of so many closing days or "goodbyes" this is the first song that comes to mind as we close Kamp for the summer. Today Kampers are packing. They are exchanging contact information and promising to become friends on Facebook as soon as they get home. They are soaking in every last event from the blob to the zipline as they get excited about getting to see their families when the gates open at 4pm.

Today is my last day of work here at Kanakuk and I can't help but think about all the blessings this place has given me. I began as a Kamper here when I was 8 years old in teepee 2 at K-Seven. I attended Kamp for 8 years then I went on staff in college and worked at K-Seven. The Institute and K-Life have shared a huge part of my life over the past 4 years and now I have worked in the marketing department for the past 2 summers. Needless to say, this place holds a big piece of my heart.

I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Whether you're 8 and this was your first summer, or your 70 and came to Kanakuk as a child yourself, you know how this place really is different. This place has molded how so many of us follow Christ. It has influenced how we interact with others in an "I'm Third" mindset. It's led us to our best friends, taught us about accountability and built us into mentors for those younger than us. As so many of us leave here tomorrow we will have heavy hearts to leave family, but we will also be grateful, for a summer that stretched us, challenged us and molded us to be a little more like Christ.

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A Summer for the Whole Family

It has been another Incredible summer at Kanakuk Family Kamp K-Kauai! "Protect this Hut" is a theme that will remain in the back of the minds of many families as they go about their lives back home. An incredible speaker lineup, a fantastic staff and a phenomenal collection of families are all the ingredients that went into a fantastic summer at Kauai!





We are looking forward to next summer which is already nearly full! As of today we have three spots open for next summer and we know those will go very quickly. Registration will open for summer 2013 on June 1, 2012 so stay tuned. Thank you so much for such a great summer. Looking forward to seeing you next year!

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Equipping the Future

Walking up the K-2 hill towards the upper fields the other day, I found myself surrounded by guys and girls all heading in the same direction with lime green books in their hands. There must have been at least a hundred and fifty of them piling into the chapel at K-2 for a class with no bats, no balls, no ropes or tennis shoes required. They laugh and exchange stories from the day as they find their seats in the chapel. A few minutes later Debbie Jo take the stage and discussion begins.

Discussions and lecture carries on for the next hour in this small chapel in the Ozarks. This class, called K-Equip, has been offered at K-2 for many summers. Lead by Joe & Debbie Jo White and Adam Donyes, the class is targeted to equip Kampers with a deeper Bible knowledge. When it first began it was a small group of students who wanted to learn more about the Bible. Over the past few years, this class has exploded into one of the most popular classes at K-2.




As I sat in the back pew of the chapel and listened to scripture being read by a Kamper it was incredible to see how attentive all the Kampers were. They were taking notes and asking questions with significantly more insight than I ever would've had at their age... or lets be honest, even more insight than I have now.




To see these high school students choose to be studying their Bible over spending time on the lake or at the pool was awesome. Seeing their hunger for the Word, their passion for learning and their desire to be leaders back in their community was humbling. We should be so thankful for the blessings the Lord has given us in these amazing future leaders!

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Lunch with a Beat...

Today the marketing department at Kanakuk was invited to join K-Kountry for a little lunch "Kamp Style." We were all so excited to get to experience lunch at the Kountryside before the end of the summer, especially on such a cool day! So seven of us headed out of our A/C offices towards Kamp where we were greeted by a tremendous amount of energy and excitement. As soon as we walked through the gates we found a group of the guy Kampers who were sitting in "bumblebee," a time when Kampers are recognized for their outstanding efforts that day. Costumes, cheers and laughter were all around us and our Kamp experience was just beginning.



After "bumblebee" we headed down the road where the girls had recently finished a masterpiece of artwork with chalk. A few of us did hopscotch and truly relived our childhood. We waited in line-up with all the other Komo (girl) barns as we could smell the delicious food awaiting us inside!




Dinning at Kamp is a whole different experience. Food is served family style, teaching kids how to serve each other before themselves. Beyond that, there are few manners required. And if you ask nearly any K-Kountry Kamper what their favorite part of lunch is, I would be willing to bet they would say dancing. From the moment they set foot through the door the music was pumped up and the Kampers were going crazy with all their dances. Whether they were getting food, standing on their benches or cleaning up at the end of the meal, they were dancing and loving every minute of it! There was even a brief interlude to one song where all the Kampers knew to grab a utensil and dishes and bang on them as loudly as possible. It was a hilarious moment as all of us "adults" at our table looked at each other wondering if it would be inappropriate if we joined in too. We left K-Kountry with full stomachs and smiling faces. It was a delightful time-out from our day.




Meals at Kamp are a blast and we are so thankful we got an opportunity to experience one first hand. Parents, we will say in advance we're sorry if when your Kampers get home they feel like every meal there should be dancing... try it, it's bound to put a smile on your face the same way it did ours!

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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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Kanakuk-isms Monday "UnReal/Super Deal"

Anticipation and excitement race through your mind as you arrive back at Kamp, check in, and find out where you will be living while you're here. For the younger Kampers its the anticipation of who their counselors are and if they will be able to survive without their parents. For the older Kampers, however, the excitement is for one thing and one thing only... "will I be in UnReal/Super Deal?"


So what is all the hype about you might ask? Well being in UnReal/Super deal you are identified as the oldest in the entire Kamp. You're the leaders, the chiefs/princesses, you set the bar and the example for all the other Kampers to follow. Along with the responsibility of being the Kamp role models comes a few perks to being the oldest.


Throughout their time here the Kampers in these cabins may get to go on an extra trip, get an extra party or even get elected to lead their tribes the next summer as the chiefs/princesses. You have your own cheer, the biggest cabin and often you have been to Kamp with the same group of people for multiple years.

UnReal/Super Deal truly is a good deal. And a great way for kids to learn what its like to have so many people looking up to them.

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Future Leaders

Today things are winding down at all of the Kamps as we prepare to say "goodbye" to Kampers tomorrow and "hello" to new faces! There are many things that have to be done before we can let our current Kampers leave though! Addresses must be exchanged, pictures must be taken and trunks must at least be attempted to be packed before parents arrive. Its a busy day as everyone soaks in their list of lasts until next summer.



As I was passing by the basketball court at K-West this morning I came across another important part of the end of a term; selecting next year's chief and princesses to lead the tribes! The boys from the Choctaw tribe had gathered on the court to nominate their cabin mates to be chiefs.



Becoming a chief or a princess is a really big deal because you are the leader of the tribe. Not only are you a chief, but you are someone everyone looks up to. You have additional responsibilities and duties. Being a chief or princess is an awesome opportunity because you get to learn how to be a leader in such an encouraging environment.



We are so proud of our chiefs and princesses as well as all of our Kampers and their ability to be great leaders here at Kamp and back home!

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Merry Christmas in July!!

"Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year..." Wait, its not Christmas? Well we sure are celebrating Christmas in July here at Kanakuk! Over the past week as I have traveled around the Kamps I have heard Christmas music, seen Santa hats and smelled chocolate chip cookies being baked... its been a delight!







Every summer around this time different Kamps like to change things up a bit by surprising Kampers with Christmas in July! It's such a fun time for Kampers to wear green and red all day while listening to Christmas music across Kamp. There's nothing like blobbing, swimming or hanging out on treetops when it feels a little bit like Christmas! You might even see a snowball or two hand-crafted from the snow cone machines... we go all out around here!



Can you imagine if we had Kamp year-round? Now that would be a Christmas present of gigantic proportion!

Merry Christmas in July!

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Kanakuk-isms Monday "FOB"

Kamp has been around for over 85 years. In that time a ton of traditions have been built. A majority of those traditions are still around today for Kampers to enjoy the same way their parents and grandparents may have.


One tradition was set into place to help Kampers rest during their day, but it has changed a little bit over the years. "FOB" stands for flat on bunk and is a time right after lunch when Kampers go back to their bunks to rest. Although it was originally designed for Kampers to do exactly what it says; be flat on bunks to rest, this rarely happens.

As a Kamper, my counselors were a little more lenient on the rules of "FOB." It became a great time to write letters, play games, make bracelets or just talk to the other girls in your cabin. Many in the cabin would still take naps because lets be honest, Kamp is exhausting. FOB was always a highlight of the day for me because we got to slow down as a group from the business of the day and just enjoy each other.



Have you had an FOB today? If not, you should take a moment to slow down and enjoy the day God has given you!

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A day to be who God made you to be!

Many of our Kamps have at least one day during each term designated as "Man/Girl" day. This day may have different activities, but at the heart of the day is the opportunity for boys to just be boys and girls to just be girls. From painting their faces for war and going through an entire day of competition for the boys to painting their nails and putting on pageants for the girls these days are a blast to be at Kamp for because kids love them!





Typically, these days are more relaxed too. Kids get to sleep in a little, they get extra freetime, and the day is often ended with a message from a men's or women's director about the importance of being a man/woman of God. Yesterday was man/girl day at K-Seven and K-West and I had so much fun getting to be a part of it all. The days events consisted of teepee competitions and eating with your hands for the boys and tons of fun stuff for the girls including a counselor pageant where the girls were in charge of hair, makeup, wardrobe and talent.

It's good to be a man and a girl here at Kanakuk!

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POD day @KanakukK2

A new favorite at K-2 this summer is POD day. Every Wednesday Kampers get the opportunity to spend their morning and afternoon in a class they wouldn't otherwise get to do. These classes can be sports like basketball or tennis, or extreme sports like BMX or wake-boarding. Some Kampers even choose to take field trips to Dogwood Canyon where they get to go hiking and caving.



PODs are quickly becoming a favorite day at Kamp and it's clear why. Kampers get to experience things that push them. Events they would never be able to do back home are offered to them in an environment where they are set up to succeed. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?



If you are coming to the last term at K-2 this summer then get excited for PODs!

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Overcoming BIG Challenges

At Kanakuk we love giving Kampers an opportunity to push themselves beyond what they normally believe they could do. Whether it is conquering a fear of heights on the climbing wall/treetops or learning how to work as a team at the challenge course; it is our desire for them to grow through being stretched.


Not only is it a place to learn and grow, it is a place to learn to encourage others when they are going through challenges in their life. There's a reason so many people come back here year after year and I believe it has something to do with they things the Lord teaches and they way you are constantly encouraged.

We are studying James at Kamp this summer. A great book to study for anyone going through challenges in life. Join us in our study knowing that the challenges in life only makes you stronger in Christ!



- Living the dream at the happiest place on earth! - Ashley

Staying Cool while things are Heating up

For those of you not from the Southwest Missouri area we are in the midst of a terrific heat-wave. It only makes sense because we are over half-way through the summer, but this year it seems steamier than normal. Now if you’re from Texas I’m sure 100-degree temperatures are just another day in the park for you, but here in Missouri it is HOT.



Heat is not something we fear here at Kamp though. With slip-in-slides, blobs, jet skis and pools at each Kamp it’s never too difficult to find a place to cool down.

How are you staying cool this summer?

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Kanakuk Family Worship Service

Yesterday was a fantastic day of family and fellowship here in Branson! Many families stayed here for the weekend, after picking up their kids at Kamp, so they could attend our Kanakuk Family Worship Service at the Hilton. With over 250 people in attendance it felt like one big family reunion.


Emcees for the morning Kyler and Diana Wright had us laughing from the beginning. Brady Toops, Renee Crane and Nasa brought amazing music and Joe brought the Word. The message was on honoring each other in the family and it was a powerful way to end the time many of the kids in the audience have spent here over the past 1-4 weeks.


We are so thankful for our family and for the opportunity to get together with them in the summertime. If you are going to be in the Branson area on July 31 please come join us for the service! We would love to have you!

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