Kanakuk Adventure Series in the News

Kanakuk Kamps Launches An Adventure Series in Summer 2012

BRANSON, Mo. (April 23, 2012) – Kanakuk Kamps is adding a brand-new series to its repertoire during the summer of 2012. The Kanakuk Adventure Series is the eighth type of Kamp for kids offered by Kanakuk and the adventure-seeker’s ultimate summer experience.

The Kanakuk Adventure Series includes a Survival Kamp and a Scuba Kamp. Both camps in the series are guaranteed to teach skills that will last a lifetime.  Each camp lasts for two weeks and is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18.

The Kanakuk Survival Kamp is a two-week training course that emulates the U.S. Army Special Forces “SERE School” survival course. A former military trained professional who was once a Kanakuk Kamper himself will lead the Survival Kamp. The camp will help boys and girls build character and learn spiritual lessons through using only what God has provided in the woods. The camp will encourage campers to test the limits of their physical and mental endurance, with lessons such as starting fires, building wind-proof and water-proof shelter from limbs, setting deadfall traps for game, making charcoal water filters, and many more. Campers will experience several survival camp outs, each one becoming progressively more challenging and culminating with a two-day solo survival trip.

The Kanakuk Scuba Kamp will teach campers how to scuba dive and certify participants with an open water diver qualification. Professional dive instructors from Aqua Sports will teach campers stress rescue, underwater navigation and wreck diving lessons.  Advanced dive courses include spear fishing, night diving and underwater photography.  The Aqua Sports team will then lead Scuba Kamp campers and their families on an optional dive trip in the Caribbean where they can put to use all the lessons learned during the two-week camp series.

Kanakuk plans to add a third Adventure Kamp series during the summer of 2013. The Aviation Kamp will allow campers to attend flight school and potentially complete the FAA ground school.

Kanakuk as a whole serves 11,000 campers each summer and has been developing dynamic Christian leaders through life-changing experiences, Godly relationships, and spiritual training since 1926. For more information on the Kanakuk Adventure Series, please visit http://kanakuk.com/our-kamps/adventure-series/.

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About Kanakuk Kamps

Kanakuk Kamps began in 1926 with a group of boys from Texas trekking to the Ozarks for 8 weeks of building character and stamina alongside great Christian role models. Today, there are 8 Kanakuk Kamps that serve over 11,000 boys and girls each summer, including whole families at K-Kauai Family Kamp located in Branson, Missouri. Kanakuk’s parent organization called Kanakuk Ministries is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 whose mission is to develop dynamic Christian leaders through life-exchanging experiences, Godly relationships and spiritual training.  More information about Kanakuk can be found at www.kanakuk.com.

2012 Summer Theme Announcement: Rise Up!

The Kanakuk Kamps Summer Theme for 2012 is RiseUp! This year at Kamp, your child will hear what it means to take hold of Philippians 3:14 and RiseUp! to the challenge of our calling! With this summer's theme in mind, we've developed 6 special devotionals we’ll be sending via email and making available via download. Download them here. Feel free to share them with your friends. We hope you will find these devotionals useful, and help prepare your child, and your family for this summer. See you soon!

The story of this summer begins in 1926 when God’s hand stirred the heart of C.L. Ford. He arose from his place in Dallas, Texas and came to the Ozarks to begin what we now know as Kanakuk Kamps. There have been countless men and women, boys and girls who have followed in Mr. Ford’s footsteps; making Kanakuk a place full of laughter and cheers. Each one has chosen to stand up and step out in faith, taking the adventure step by step. Today, God continues to stir our hearts towards Him as He calls us to RiseUp!
The theme verse for Kampers is Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Encouragement to a higher calling as we RiseUp! The theme verse for parents is Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them [God’s Word] diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” It starts in your home and continues when your child arrives at Kamp.

At Kanakuk his summer the youngest Kampers will see and hear that God is a loving Father and wonderful creator who loves them. Junior High Kampers will discover their identity is found in Christ and learn that God’s Truth should be the compass for life’s decisions. Teenage Kampers will be strengthen and encouraged as they learn to apply God’s Truth to impact and influence others for Christ. It’s a powerful message that starts with your family engaging in discussions around the dinner table this Spring. It’s a partnership with you that we are excitedly and prayerfully embarking on.
This summer at Kanakuk we will encourage our staff, our Kampers, and their families to RiseUp! To hear thecall of Jesus Christ in their lives, to be ready to live a life abundant with joy over what God is doing around us and calling us to be a part of! This summer promises to be an explosion of sports, activities, fun and worship! This summer promises to be an exciting adventure! This summer we will continue the tradition! We will exclaim the name of Christ! We will RiseUp!
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In addition to the six RiseUp! devotionals you can also download the first of our summer theme songs, by Christian rapper, Nasa Sete, here. “RiseUp! RiseUp!”

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Impact of Tornado on Kanakuk Kamps

Thank you Lord!

Kanakuk was untouched by the tornado that has damaged homes and businesses in a 7-mile stretch along East Hwy 76 (The Strip) all the way down to the Branson Landing and up through the area known as Mount Branson on the other side of the lake. Reports are that the entire path of the storm may be 22-miles! The photo below of the inside of the Branson Hilton Convention Center is from the KY3.com news site and was taken by Alec Vanderboom. This damage was about 1/8 of a mile south of K-Kauai - Kanakuk's Family Kamp.

Branson Landing damage near Kanakuk.

This photo taken by former Kanakuk Summer Staff Alec Vanderboom. More photos can be seen here.

Power Out

We are thankful and feel blessed to be spared from damage. The power is off at our offices, making phone calls difficult. Tomorrow may be somewhat better as we work on ways to increase call taking capacity. This may be the situation for a couple of days. We want to take your phone calls, but for the next couple of days it may be easier to email. You can also reach us on Twitter @kanakuk or on Facebook. Our website www.kanakuk.com is operating normally.

Thank You!

We have been blessed by all of you who have checked on us today. We'll do our best to keep you posted, quickly on Twitter and more details here in the days to come.

Our Branson Family

Our thoughts are turning to those around us who are suffering. Branson is our home. We love living here and being in a community like this. There is so much help pouring into Branson. Individual employees are helping neighbors, doing what we can and waiting for needs to arise. At the time of this post there was no reported loss of life here in Branson, but this will leave scars.

We are praying for our community. Please pray with us.
 

 

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Kanakuk Starts Year-round Friendships

K-Seven Kampers work together during challenge course activity.

We love hearing from our Kamp family—especially when you tell us how Kamp principles impact you and your kids back home.  It totally makes our day when we hear about someone in our Kamp family stretching her faith to the next level, and depending on Kamp friends and counselors during the year to strengthen her walk with Christ.  

Just recently, a K-Seven Kamp mom sent me an encouraging letter about her high school daughter Kelsey. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

Kanakuk is, in my opinion, one of the very best spiritual investments a parent can make for their children.  It has instilled in Kelsey a love for God, His word, and the importance of staying connected to a small group of Godly people who encourage and hold you accountable.  Kelsey’s best friend is a fellow Kamper who’s been with her the past 3 summers.  They live 5 hours apart but talk regularly, and Hannah is who Kelsey calls when she needs to talk to a Godly friend.

Just last month, she called Becca, one of her counselors from 2 years ago, and got tremendous encouragement from her.  Becca had Kelsey going all through the Bible, using scripture to help her.  Wow!  What a comfort to a mom, when we need spiritual help in raising our kids!

Kids are our greatest national resource; each one is uniquely made and important to God. Our desire is to place tools in the hands of our Kampers, so that when they get home, they understand how to live with integrity, how to stand up to peer pressure, and how to stay encouraged in their walk with Christ. Hearing how Kelsey stays strong by locking arms with her Kamp friends and counselors  is exactly what our Kamp family is all about:  Helping each Kamper influence and make an eternal impact within her circle of friends...so that the love of Christ is spread to every life, every home, every neighborhood.  

One Heart at a Time.

How has Kamp impacted you / your family?

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The New Kanakuk Website: Top Four Favorite Things…

If you haven’t gotten the chance to look around Kanakuk’s new website, you really should.  Not only will the bright pictures and streamlined headings catch your eyes, but several new features are just waiting for you to explore them!

I’d like to take you on a little tour of a few of these fabulous features—starting from the top of the website page, right down to the very bottom.

Here are 4 of my favorite features on the Kanakuk website:

1.  Starting at the top of the website page—“Summer Prep” is a wonderfully useful tab, where we’ve gathered all the information you will be looking for before your child heads to Kamp.  Have no fear “Summer Prep” is here…with individualized packing lists, transportation information, and even lodging and attraction options while you visit.  Click, click—easy, easy.

2.  Right below the big picture—“My Kanakuk” tab is your hub, your home base, your Sonic Happy Hour (okay, I’m stretching it a little).   “My Kanakuk” is the launch pad to your child’s everything Kamp-related:  Daily pictures, account information, health form, emails.   You’ll be able to access all of your family’s Kamp information with the click of this one button.

3.  In the middle of the website page—“Kanakuk Video Wall” is our chance to show you what Kamp is all about.  From inspirational to music to testimonials, these videos are packed full of Kanakuk tradition, excitement, and practical information.  Be sure to spend some time checking out these videos.  (Warning!  You may need a tissue or two…)

4.  At the bottom of the website page—Look for the envelope to find “Contact Kanakuk Kamps” information.  Picture this:  It’s June 4^th, and you have written your son his first Kamp letter.  But, WHAT WAS HIS ADDRESS???   Just click click, look for the envelope for easy access to each Kamp’s individual mailing address.   Ah, I love easy!

Those are my favorite new website features.  But, what are yours?

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Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Kanakuk Kamps!

"We love because He first loved us." I John 4:19

Today is a day where people all over the world express their love for one another. The only reason we can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved us. And He showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for you and me. He showed that love by creating you. He showed that love by everything you have in life; it's all a gift of God's love.

Our prayer is that you will trust in Him and proclaim the truth that"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

Download this image we created for you as your desktop photo to remind you of this amazing truth! 

GOD LOVES YOU.

Encourage others! Pin this!

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Roll out the Red Carpets, Get your Cameras Ready!

Can you hear it?  There’s a buzz humming through the Kanakuk hills.  Kanakuk Kamps is rolling out a brand new look this week—online, that is.  We think you’re going to love the changes you see!  From easier-to-access parent information to a more streamlined registration process, our brand new website has turned out a lot like many of the people who work behind the scenes around here:  friendly and engaging.

We think you’re going to like our new look.

Let’s explore some of the exciting details about our new website from a couple of the people who helped develop it.

First, let’s hear from Jay Holden, Marketing Director of Kanakuk Ministries:

Rebuilding a website the size and complexity of kanakuk.com is a big undertaking. Why did Kanakuk choose to make this change?

Cleaner platform, easier interaction.  We rebuilt kanakuk.com to provide Kamp families a cleaner platform to learn about our ministries, and make improvements to the tools families use to interact with us. Web technology develops quickly, and the new site is more flexible and faster to develop on. We are excited about the features we have provided--and the ones being developed later this Spring.

Quicker registration, easier access to photos and email.  The new website also leans heavily on the latest version of CircuiTree 5.0, camp and conference software provided by CircuiTree Solutions, a division of Kanakuk Ministries. CircuiTree is a powerful database-driven registration and camp management solution that Kanakuk has relied on for 15 years. Kanakuk parents are thankful for the ability to quickly register their children, and have access to photos and Kamper emails while their child is a Kamp.

It’s all about logistics.  Providing an Exciting Adventure in Christian Athletics for over 9000 children each summer is a lesson in logistics. Many Kampers take advantage of Kanakuk charter buses and airport shuttles to get to Kamp. The new website provides ways to register for those transportation options and communicate special requests and changes directly to the transportation department. Sharon Smith, Transportation Manager at Kanakuk Kamps, knows that parents appreciate the transportation functions. "Kamp parents will find tons of information about transportation options, and the new web tools will make it even easier to provide us all the important information we need to make all those connections!"

Next, we’ll hear from Jeff Schneider, Executive Director/CTO of CircuiTree Solutions:

Why did the Kanakuk registration process need to upgrade to CircuiTree 5.0?

Deeper connections.  Kanakuk's upgrade to CircuiTree 5.0 will provide parents, families, and administrative staff the ability to provide better service and a deeper connection to their Kampers during the summer. Kanakuk is a great partner, helping us bring the best camping management practices to many of the biggest camping organizations in the country.

You, yes you.  The last group of people who helped develop Kanakuk’s new website…is YOU, our Kamp families.  YOU’VE played a huge role in this enormous undertaking.  We’ve listened to your suggestions, and have tried to make this new website better and easier to use for YOU. 

So, now we’d love to hear from you!  What are your favorite things about Kanakuk’s new website?

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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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