“Pardon me boy, is that the Kanakuk Choo-Choo?”

The following tid-bit of history comes from our very own Darnell White, Spike's wife and Joe's Mom. Darnell still works full-time in the accounting department at Kanakuk Kamps and is a wealth of knowledge about the early days of Kanakuk. I thought this was a great remembrance and hopefully can share some more with you in the future. Keep checking back.

“Pardon me boy, is that the Kanakuk Choo-Choo?”

The Missouri-Pacific Train from Colorado, with stops at Amarillo, Dallas, and destination to Hollister, Missouri was the transportation chosen by parents for their sons to travel to Kanakuk Kamp. Roads were not in very good condition, certainly not like today’s, and the train served a convenient and safe journey for the Kampers.


Their Return Tickets were given to the Station Master who locked them in the Depot Safe until the end of Kamp. The Kampers were met at the station to escort them via one of the two transportation steamboats: “The Sadie H.” or “The Virginia Mae” waiting at the Hollister dock on the White River (now Lake Taneycomo). The steamboats were also the Mail boats and Special Products for up and down the river, delivering at the shores to the recipients. The Kampers were deboarded on the beach of Kanakuk Kamp.

click for a larger image

The Missouri-Pacific Menu shown in the pictures was used in the Dining Car in the summer. (Quite a contrast to the McDonalds menu that Kampers choose each summer when traveling in this 21st Century to Kanakuk Kamps by bus or automobile.

Hollister Train Depot

One summer, when Spike was a counselor, there was a robbery at the Depot. The robbers broke into the safe and removed the contents – Railroad Tickets. When the Kampers heard about this, they were worried about how they would get back home without their tickets. The Station Master had combined all the Kampers Return Tickets on one form, in order to conserve space in the small safe. It seemed that form was not worthy (to the robbers) and was not stolen. Kampers were much relieved when this news was passed on to Kanakuk Kamp.

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Do you have stories you'd like to share from your days at Kanakuk?

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K-Kauai Kanakuk Family Kamp Chapel Dedication

The outside of the newly dedicated Hale Makua (House of God) Chapel at K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp.

Yesterday morning the new chapel building named the Hale Makua (House of God) was dedicated at K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp in Branson, MO.

In the Chapel, after the morning session with speaker, Greg Smalley, parents stayed to share in the dedication ceremony. Doug Goodwin, the Executive Director of K-Kauai, shared briefly with the parents about the opening day of K-Kauai in 2007. Months of hard work had culminated in a flurry of last minutes problems , but things were being taken care of and finally the grounds were all ready for the first families to arrive. Then the rain came. Several inches of rain in 45 minutes just minutes before the gates were to open. I remember that rain because my wife and I had dropped two of our kids off at K-Kountry just 15 minutes earlier. The torrent of rain came and and washed away much of the landscaping that had just been completed that morning, water flooded many of the newly finished cabanas, just that afternoon carefully cleaned and ready for families to move in. Doug described sitting, in the rain, near one of the pump stations with tears in his eyes, he realized that it wasn't going to be his strength that fixed this mess. At that moment he gave the opening day, the disaster recovery, the months of hard work to the Lord. God brought all the right people to aid in the recovery, provided just the right resources, and that first week of Kamp was amazing.

Doug described that the Chapel would be used during the winter months as the classroom for the Kanakuk Institute students. Half of the theater seating will be replaced with tables during that time.

Worship in the Hale Makua

Doug told everyone that dedicating new buildings is a tradition at Kanakuk and that he was thankful those attending Kamp that week could take part in this. He prayed and then there was a time of worship, and singing led by some of the K-Kauai summer staff.

Joe White

Joe White, President of Kanakuk Kamps, then got up and spoke. He talked about K-Kauai being a "Kingdom dream" a place that was often requested by families over the years. Doug Goodwin, he said, had a vision for the family Kamp and Joe said Doug should be the one to build it. Joe said that a family trip to Hawaii was the inspiration for the island theme.
Joe had arrived during the worship time and he related to the gathering how it might seem like a small thing but that it was really special to see all the couples holding hands or with arms around each other. It might be a small thing but a part of the dream for K-Kauai.

Joe gave some history on the spiritual foundation of America, the removal of the 10 commandments, and the downward spiral that has occured the farther we get from that Godly foundation. He said that President Reagan referred to families as the "bricks and morter of America." The dream is being fulfilled that Kanakuk Family Kamp would build up and support the bricks and morter of this country.

Joe addressed the timing of the chapel being built by saying that as construction plans were made funds ran low and it was God's timing and the realization that this place needed a special indoor chapel that brought us to this point.

Joe thanked everyone for participating in the dedication and turned the ceremony back over to Doug.

Doug shared stories of people impacted at Kanakuk Family Kamp over that last 3 summers. Even this summer already many kids have placed there faith in Jesus Christ. When they do, they ring the bell in the middle of Kamp as a public proclemation of their decision. The bell has been rung so much this summer that it's broken and being replaced with a better, stronger bell.

Doug shared that Family Kamp has introduced many families to Kanakuk and now their children have experienced the depth and impact of one of our Kamps for kids. Doug asked for people to join them in prayer that the mission and impact of the Kamp might continue.

The Dedication Prayer

Everyone in attendance got up and surrounded the sanctuary seating, holding hands, there was just enough to reach around. Will Cunningham, Co-Director of K-Kauai Kanakuk Family Kamp, open the circle in prayer. Doug then prayed a prayer of dedication and thanks to God, expressing a desire for more impact and God's blessing on the Kamp, the Chapel and all the families that come there.

The Dedication was then closed and many of the families stayed around laughing and talking for several minutes.

Joe and Doug stayed to talk to a few families as others cleared out to head to lunch and reconnecting with their kids.

The Chapel Foyer

The Hale Makua Chapel is themed like the rest of the camp with bamboo trim and weaved bamboo ceiling panels. A tall rectangular window at the front is surrounded by beautiful stone work. A custom stained glass window is planned with the cross and tennis shoes logo. A small stage at the front shares the same stone work. The building is equipped with a professional sound system, video projection, and stage lighting, and men's and women's bathroom facilities.

In my 8 years with Kanakuk I have experienced many dedications of facilities, programs and people. I appreciate seeing God get the glory for the things that happen at this place. It's clear that God uses Kanakuk to show His love. I'm glad that I can be a part of it even in a very small behind the scenes way. It's also fun to share these things with you because I know, you too, see God at work here and enjoy rejoicing with us.

Do you have a Kanakuk Family Kamp experience you can share with others? Leave a comment below.

Pictures by Lindsay.

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A chance encounter?

I wanted to post briefly this morning to let you know that a post about the Chapel dedication at K-Kauai is coming later today so check back.

I will tell you that on my way back to the office from the dedication that I ran into a car load of Kamp friends surveying the washed out bridge. They were from Texas and had arrived in Branson a day early in preparation for picking up their kids from Kamp. We got to talking and realized that one of the moms had been reading my blog. Shame on me for not remembering your names, I'm not so good at that :-) It was good to meet you and thanks for reading my blog. If there is ever anything that I can write about, Inside Kanakuk type stuff, please let me know and I'll do my best.

More coming today, including pictures of the new chapel building and comments from Joe White...

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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update

The new culvert is in place for the new bridge! It shouldn't be too long now and we'll be back to normal. K-1 Parents the last few terms should be able to use the new bridge and we can all start saving some gas money! A big thanks to the Taney County crew for keeping this project moving.

Photo props to Lindsay. Thanx


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What is Social Media?

There's so much hype and talk about Social Media that it's a bit overwhelming. I think I'm working on that here at Kanakuk and talking about it here on this blog but what is it really? This video will be helpful for all of us on the learning side of this thing.

How are using Social Media in your life? Do you have a blog? Leave a comment below with a link to your blog.



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Guns & Machetes vs. Soccer balls

I mentioned in an earlier post that Kids Across Africa Camps (KAAC) would start a camp in Rwanda. I just wanted to get back to you with some of the details. I interviewed Jonathan Nimrod, the KAAC President briefly and I while I've been in meetings about this new endeavor for well over a year I hadn't had this perspective. It's compelling.

As you may know Rwanda is recovering from years of some of the worst civil strife and genocide in the history of mankind. The government of Rwanda desires healing for the country and wants to invest in the youth, providing them with opportunities for leadership and moral training. Jonathan, who himself experienced loss from war and genocide growing up in Africa, asks the question, "When you take away the guns and machetes from the children of Rwanda what do you replace it with?" The answer on July 23 near Kagali, Rwanda will be, soccer balls! A team will go there from the US and even now some have arrived for preliminary work.

Jonathan says that the Rwandan government welcomes the new Kamp. He indicated that things are progressing inside the country with the purchase of the land. KAAC will prayerfully break ground on the facility in August of this year. Jonathan says that the greatest need is for prayer partners that can lift up the fund raising and the many details that need to be done before that can happen.

You'll notice in the photo of the KAAC property in Rwanda that it is in a beautiful lake setting. If you look close you can see the partially cleared and shaped area in the middle of the peninsula. That was done by a previous owner and will be the start of the main area of the camp.

There are many more details but I just haven't had time to fact check them. Do you want to hear more about this project?

I bet I could get Jonathan or someone from Kids Across America to guest post about it. Anyone out there closer to the project want to give my readers an update?

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Scattered

It's Monday.

Over the weekend Joe White and his army of Men at the Cross(MATC) helpers put on the first MATC event in St. Louis, Missouri. I had family duties that kept me from this event but I hear it went well and that between 5 & 6 thousand men attended. Each of those men was given two One2Won Cross Training Devotional books so they can find another man to disciple and go through the book. Potential impact of that one event 10,000 - 12,000 men getting into God's word.

Jessica our Senior Graphic designer has moved to Pennsylvania and is sorely missed here in the office. They are just getting through the long moving process. She will be setting up a new business out there and guess who is going to be her best client? That's right, Kanakuk Kamps. You don't find and train someone like Jessica, so we'll be counting on her in the days to come to continue making all the great things that you see in your mailbox and beyond. Lindsay is the other graphic designer here and is extremely talented, often doing the heavy lifting for us. You might remember her performance in last year's big Kanakuk brochure and you sure want to be looking out for her magic on the new website due out in Sept. Speaking of scattered...Lindsay, poor Lindsay...she is out this morning on a boat taking pictures at K-2. I'm sure she's enjoying the lake and the opportunity to work on her Chaco tan!

Mollye our Marketing Specialist is taking a week's vacation with her family. I think the beach is involved.

Jeff our Marketing Manager is cranking away here on making the machine run and spending time thinking 3-5 years out as we look at ways to better serve the kids and families that come to Kanakuk. He sent me a spreadsheet over the weekend so I guess we'll have to have the "you work too much" talk again:-)

Adam our summer intern came in with a dramatically different hair cut. My guess is he did something drastic to entertain the kids down at K-1 where he plugs into the programs aspects at night and on the weekends.

I'm just getting back from G'ma and G'pa's house trading some of our kids out. It was good to see the family and the two new cousins. I also had an amazing service experience at Starbucks in Topeka. I'll have to tell you about it later, right now a pot of the black stuff is calling me.

So, we are or have been a bit scattered lately. We'll look forward to getting the gang all back together, even if it is long distance.

If you want to know something about the inner workings of Kanakuk leave a comment here. I'll do my best to answer or find the answer and we'll learn together.

Have a great week.

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"ChockTalk"

At many of the Kanakuk Kamps, Kampers are placed into tribes for competitions. The two boy tribes are Cherokee & Choctaw. The two girl's tribes are Kiowa & Kickapoo. Our first son, went to Kamp and was put in the Cherokee tribe, and then our our second son was a Cherokee and so our third boy when he's old enough to go will be a Cherokee. Then their sons will be Cherokees and on and on. Our daughter Hannah, attended Kamp third term and she is a Kickapoo.

I was riding to lunch with her yesterday on a "Daddy date" and she was telling me all about her time at Kamp. It sure is fun to get a 7 year old's perspective on the Kamp experience. She was telling me about all the funny skit characters at Kamp, about "The Man" who stole the Bumble Bee on the Spy Party day, and then about the first day of tribal competitions. The boy tribe, the Choctaws, were a focus of the stories. And throughout she was calling them the "Chocktalks". I said, "You mean Choctaws?" "No Dad. ChockTALKS!" I stand corrected. But, most importantly I realized that even to a 7 year old, Kamp is about having an experience that begins your independence. Right or not she has taken ownership of that 13 day period of her life. She stood her ground. I like that. Now over the course of the next year her brothers and I will say "Choctaw" and by next summer she will be too.

She might not fully understand God right now either, she has prayed the sinner's prayer and I have seen an increase in sensitivity to spiritual things, but it's still a little fuzzy. That's how we all are. When we believe in Christ, there is a radical, complete, and eternal change of our hearts but the day to day, Christian life is a transformational process . Us understanding God and God transforming us. We'll do the best we can to help things into focus, to back-up the Holy Spirit's work in her life. If you are around Hannah can you show her what you know about Jesus?


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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Repair Update

Well, we've had one closing ceremonies with the bridge out and I hope it wasn't to inconvenient for K-1 parents to take the "scenic" route. If that was you, you'll appreciate that my kids call Timberlake Road "The Bumpies". It is kind of like a roller coaster! The road closure has made things interesting for us as we reschedule mail drops, meetings between employees, and of course trips to town for lunch, etc. Many employees leave for work earlier now and have gotten creative with carpooling. For the Kampers everything is clipping right along.

Here is a picture of the bridge area as of Monday late afternoon.


Wet weather yesterday has slowed the final excavation. But plans to install precast concrete culverts promises to shorten the time to completion. The latest rumor is that the road will be back open by July 18th. That sounds pretty fast from where we are!

Will you let me know who you are so I can get a better idea who I'm writing to? Take the poll on the right for the next 9 days. Thanks.

I'll also add that Tim Oliphant (see post from Monday) has had quite the week with media interviews and phone calls and e-mails from long lost friends after his incredible performance on the American Gladiators show.



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Who are you talking to? - 2

I know I promised an answer and a confession. If you can't wait, skip down a couple of paragraphs, avoid the bloviating rant and save yourself the 2 minutes. [Debbie - I see you scrolling:-)]

So, I'm tired of advertising. Companies everywhere, pay attention. I want to talk to somebody with a personality, a story, someone who has the occasional bad day, and is willing to admit it. It's OK, I know your employees have a life. Don't get all crazy on me though. I don't want to know about their doctor appointments or what their horoscope promises for the weekend. I'm actually allergic to "To Much Information", I carry an emergency supply of Benadryl because if people take me seriously it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Here's the secret: I've already checked you out! I'm Googling you. I'm finding your other customers and talking to them first to see if you are legit. Seeing if it's safe to talk to you. One of my friends told me you were pretty awesome. So when I call I just want to know that somebody real is on the other end of the phone. Somebody I can now put my trust in that you'll actually care about me. If I want to talk to someone in India reading a script I'll call my guy in Bollywood direct!

OK, enough, the answer to "Who are you talking to?" Well, if you are in marketing today, if you advertise your business you aren't talking TO anyone. You are talking AT them! Which brings me to the confession: I've been talking AT you for years, through media where you really expected me to talk TO you. A give and take, back and forth. I apologize. You call, you send e-mails, you come to visit and still I wanted to talk AT you with my websites and brochures. I'm setting that aside. I'm changing. Or am I?

I'll suspend the drama now.

Who am I talking to? I want to talk to you because; we are both Kanakuk parents (my daughter is at Kamp right now for what seems like the longest time), we both work for Kanakuk (making things better is so rewarding), we share an interest in Kanakuk (we have some of the same memories). What is it going to take to get us talking? Forums/Discussion boards, Kamp Friends lists, Facebook Connect, retreats, do you want Kanakuk to come to your town? Do you want to come here? Do you want us to text message you? Do you want me to come to your office or do you want me to call? Is e-mail your speed? Leave me a comment. JGM I'm coming to your office so get ready.


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