Jason Arellano - New employee announcement

INTERNAL KANAKUK MEMO

DATE: July 8, 2008

TO: Kanakuk Kamps

FROM: Human Resources Department

SUBJECT: New Employee

Please welcome Jason Arellano to the sales and purchasing department. I asked Jason to tell me a little about himself and I don’t think I can improve on his own words. Please note that Heath will be with us for a few more weeks, but we all need to contact Jason as if Heath were not here. This will help him adjust to his new duties.

I will be replacing Heath as he moves on to teach and coach. My wife and I married in April of 2006 and are expecting our first child - Lindsey is 5 months pregnant. I served 5 years in the Marine Corps and have traveled the world. I took part in two tours of combat and closed this chapter of my life after being shot and hit with a grenade. Lindsey and I now reside in Springfield, MO with my mother-in-law and father-in-law while we are waiting for our home to sell in K.C., MO. We are praying for the family that will eventually call our home theirs. My wife was a camper and counselor here at Kanakuk for several years and I have always wanted to be a part of the ministries. Kanakuk is a great organization with solid values centered on Christ and I am honored to do my part in changing the lives of future generations.

I love my family and anything that has to do with the outdoors. I have faced death in the eyes and it has given me a greater appreciation for life. I thank the Lord for each and every day as I have been given many 2nd chances. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone on staff.

Semper Fidelis
Jason Arellano

LIFE, LIBERTY and the
PURSUIT of ANYONE
WHO THREATENS IT.



Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Who are you talking to?

Books I've read recently, am reading or am going to read soon.

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?
Join the Conversation: How to Engage Marketing-Weary Consumers with the Power of Community, Dialogue, and Partnership
Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business
Identity Crisis: 50 Redesigns That Transformed Stale Identities into Successful Brands

Maybe it's because I've been involved in marketing in some way most of my working career, but I'm exhausted by advertising. I can barely tolerate the drone of infomercials, and the ad books they call magazines. I have become extremely skilled in avoiding, ignoring, or otherwise obliterating all TV ads (thanks to my DVR!). The new in show product placement strategies being foisted upon us is my next target.

So, why do I stay in "marketing"? It's one word, "Kanakuk". I get to tell the story and share the history and richness of 82 years of some of the best Christian camping in the world. There's something to believe in, something that if I communicate it clearly to you, your family will benefit eternally. Bam! That's it and for me it's powerful. I have to love what I'm doing and feel like I'm making a difference or I start getting the new job itch.

I was at my last job for less than three years. It felt like 30 years. It was highly educational but elicited no passion. I've been at Kanakuk now for over 8 years and it feels like I just got here! Part of it is sharing the task with some of the most talented people in the business.

Back to my book list...

If I'm tired of the advertising, I know you must be too! I'm trying to get my head and heart wrapped around communicating in a way that will break through even my hardened senses. So, you see that represented in my book list. I think I have it figured out, but help me with this one because me "figuring it out" has nothing to do with the solution.

If you are in marketing let me ask you this: Who are you talking to?

Tomorrow we tackle the answer and I make a confession.



Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Live blog on Tim Oliphant American Gladiator

REFRESH OFTEN!!! minute by minute updates.

It's 6:47 on Monday night and I'm at the Tim Oliphant American Gladiator watch party! Tim's friends and co-workers are here eating, catching up and watching the last few minutes of Wheel of Fortune in anticipation of the big event. Tim is stirring some queso.

Tim just screamed the 10 minute announcement.

Tim quote: "After the months of waiting its about stinking time. It's been a busy day."

----
6:54 - Tim just screamed the 6 minute announcement.

6:59 - It's at a fever pitch now. Tim is dressed in his American Gladiator T-shirt and playing host.

7:01 - Tim quote. "I've gotta prove that I'm the man and that I can take it!"

7:05 - Tim is eyes locked on the TV screen.

7:07 - The room went absolutely nuts as Tim talked about his parents and as his famous quote came on.

Here is a picture of Tim with his "littlest fan"

7:09 - The room went crazy as Tim jumped up and down after beating Titan on Pyramid. After the celebration Tim promises to show a video Journal of that day of competition after the show is over. "If you want to see it" he says. Someone in the room says "if Tim is in it we want to see it!"


7:17 - Take the poll on the right.

7:18 - 7 seconds was not enough. The room goes quite as Tim takes a swim off the climbing wall and then erupts when Tim declares on screen that "the pressures off now I'm ready to go"

7:20 - Tim shared Rocket's trash talk just before the climbing wall: "You got your route? I got mine." "You're pretty light weight. I've gained 15 pounds since last season."

7:26 - Snapback. Tim on the show, "I'm gonna step my game up..." The crowd here goes crazy enjoying the Tim quotes.

7:30 - Tim says that ...[edited]

7:41 - Tim says that Sideswipe was the most fun event and that we should get that event at Kanakuk. He also said that the platforms have some wobble to them.

7:49 - Tim's living room is full of friends.
7:51 - The part of the show where Tim is kneeling down praying was ...[edited] Tim's response, "I'll pray where ever you want me to!" ...[edited]

7:56 - Everyone in the room is on their feet, arms pumping, screaming, laughing as Tim finishes the Eliminator in 1:24, a course record!

8:00 - As the show ends the room joins in a "standing O" for Tim.

AFTER THE SHOW

Tim says the next episode he's on is in two weeks on the 21st.

Tim's getting ready to show his video Journal after the first day of shooting.

Tim shows off his Gladiator "tats"; wounds from the first round.

Tim says that he doesn't know what happened on the Pyramid but he just went for it and made it to the top.

Tim says he keeps in almost daily contact with all the other contenders.

Typical day of shooting: start at 9:00am with van ride to studio...[edited]

[edited]

Tim said it was hard to sleep because of the adrenaline and the thinking about having to do the events.

He said there was lots of talking between contenders, playing games and stuff while waiting on the set.

When Tim went for training they took him to a Hollywood doctor and gave him a thorough physical.

Tim has two uniforms a red one and a blue one. He traded for the blue one.

Tim says there is a new event in the semifinals. He said they put the slowest guy against the fastest guy in the semifinals.

Tim says that the fun thing about Titan is that he and Tim have a rivalry, he says ...[edited]

8:37 - Joe White shows up at Tim's house during the encore showing of the episode.


Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Connectersationalism

Today I'm laying claim to the word "connectersationalism" and all it's derivatives. Such as, "connectersation", "connectersationalist", "connectersations". These were born out of a brainstorming session with Jeremy, Jessica, JGM, and I several days ago as we discussed the new kanakuk.com. We are hoping that on the new site that many connectersations will occur and that somehow we can be a part of it.

The meanings of these new words are very deep, I can't even fully articulate them in my mind yet. I more feel them then see them. The feelings tug at those places in my mind and my heart where fellowship with other believers tugs. Even the sound of the word conjures up images of really embracing another human being in meaningful dialog.

It's like when you talk with your wife and you really grab eyes, ears pointed forward and time seems to flex inexplicably. [I need to have more connectersations with my wife.]

Does this new word resonate with anyone? Are you a connectersationalist and didn't know it? Is it possible that we just haven't had the right words to describe it?

Do you want more connectersation in your life? [I don't even know what that means exactly!]

We are going to get to the bottom of this...


Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Kanakuk's American Gladiator

It's finally arrived! Monday night at 7:00 on NBC, Kanakuk's own Media Director, Tim Oliphant, will be a competitor on American Gladiator.

I'm just going to say one thing...oh wait I'm not going to say that because it would break the non-disclosure agreement. You'll just have to watch and then come back here and give Tim a shout-out. See his post episode videos online at www.kanakuk.com/tim

I do have one question for Tim. Is Wolf as scary in person as he is on TV? I think it's the fangs.


Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Former Marine Sets Up Base Kamp

Heath, one of the Kanakuk warehouse employees is leaving this summer to pursue his passion for coaching basketball. Replacing him is Jason Arellano, former U.S. Marine Sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Kilo Company, 2nd Platoon. Jason did two tours in Iraq and was wounded in the Battle of Fallujah, December 12th, 2004.



His wife Lindsey is a former Kamper at Kanakuk Kamps. Their engagement overlapped Jason's time in Iraq and here you can read part of their touching story.



Jason will share his testimony on Friday at the I Love America event in Springfield, Missouri. On Wednesday a film crew came to Kanakuk and interviewed Jason for potential inclusion in a documentary film.





Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Tim Oliphant - American Gladiator Contender

Tim Oliphant is the Media Director here at Kanakuk. He is a contender on American Gladiator this season and his first episode is airing this Monday at 7:00 pm on NBC. I was asked by the Texas A&M newspaper The Battalion to talk about what it's like working with Tim Oliphant. Here is what I said.

I have the great privilege of having Tim Oliphant on my Team in the Marketing Department at Kanakuk Kamps. Tim is a truly creative person. I would describe him as deeply loyal, extremely positive, and a natural story teller. He sees the best in people and wants to share their stories with others. I can especially speak to his skills as a videographer and video editor. His background as a Kamp counselor and his great way with people give him a special ability to interview people and make them feel comfortable. In his video work he uses his strength of communication to take viewers into stories and engage them with more than flashy graphics and creative transitions; he weaves stories together that you both see and feel.

On top of all that he’s just a great guy to be around. We are big fans of Tim and support him 100% in his run to be the American Gladiator champion. The taping of the show and all the things that go with that have taken a lot of time, but Tim just works harder to get his job done. American Gladiator won’t change Tim, it will make him even more focused, stronger, and able to lead those he works with.

For his closest coworkers the best thing about Tim’s American Gladiator experience has to be the one-liners. We are having so much fun razzing him about it and he enjoys it too. I know Tim’s hope in being on the show was that he would have a great experience, win, talk about Kanakuk, but mostly share the joy of living a life with Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.

If you want more Tim Oliphant news including his video thoughts on each episode go to the website: www.kanakuk.com/tim.

You can also check back here at my blog.

I'll add one thing to all that: Tim of course is supposed to keep the results of the tapings of the show secret. Despite the constant peppering of tricky questions from us he has done so well and I think he must say "You'll have to watch and see." in his sleep. Way to go Tim!





Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Christian Radio

We have a great little independant Christian radio station here in Branson called Life FM (KLFC). Started by people from a local church it has grown and thrived here. We haven't done much "Advertising" including radio spots but wanted this year to support this station and in turn they are providing some 15 second spots.

Bear with me. I'm going to test out some radio script ideas on you. Let me know which one you like the best:

1. Kanakuk Kamps one of the Tri-lake's largest employers provides an "Exciting Adventure in Christian Athletics" for thousands of boys and girls ages 7-18 each summer. 7 , 13 and 25-day terms provide Kampers with a taste of Kanakuk or a full blown life-changing summer experience. Great facilities, great food and the most kid-loving, Christian, college staff make a summer at Kanakuk something kids never forget. Visit kanakuk dot com to take in the whole Kanakuk experience.


2. [bed of camp themed music comes up] "Exciting Adventure in Christian Athletics" just begins to describe the life-changing experience at Kanakuk Kamps. From ziplines [zipline sound] to football drills [whistle and football hits sounds], guitar lessons [Acoustic guitar riff], to crazy skits [funny music with laughter] Kanakuk will take your heart, mind, and body to the next level. Make your summer count by coming to Kanakuk for 7, 13, or 25 days of memories and adventure! To enroll or learn more visit kanakuk dot com.

If you were hearing about Kanakuk for the very first time on radio what message would peak your interest?

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I hope you find this to be a place you can see under the hood so to speak and feel more apart of what we do here. It's a great place to work, I'm blessed, hope your day is full of blessings.

Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update

Bridge work is already underway. Original estimates of 8 weeks or more may be giving way to just 3 weeks as plans to put culverts in the opening, over filling with gravel and paving take shape.

Here is the bridge area as it appeared yesterday afternoon late. Notice the telephone poles placed to support the sewer line that ran inline with the old bridge.


I know that several businesses opened their doors for Kanakuk on Saturday when the bridge washed out, so that we could get signs made and plumbing supplies, etc. If you are a Kanakuk employee and know the names of those businesses and people can you please leave comments or e-mail me the names so that I can acknowledge their service to us?

More updates on the bridge to come in the days ahead.

Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Best thing about Google

Check out Google Alerts. If you search for anything regularly or just want to be the first to know when my blog gets updated (shameless promotion) then you'll thank me for the tip.

1. Click on the Google Alert link above.
2. Enter the search term you are interested in. I like fresh "Kanakuk" stuff everyday.
3. Specify how and how often you want an e-mail sent to you of that search.
4. Enter the e-mail address you want it sent to.
5. Use your gmail account to manage the alerts. Don't forget to associate all your e-mail addresses with your gmail account.

See what happens. Let me know how you use Google Alerts.



Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.