I love this about Kanakuk Kamps

Lindsay and Mollye on the Superman Swing during their weekend trip to Kanakuk Klassic.


Marketing Intern Adam McClure gets a cut. Who will entertain us when you are gone?

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

Promises

Rainbow over Kanakuk from the gate of Grant* Holcomb's Farm.

Yesterday I made a to do list, promises to myself that I couldn't keep. In contrast...

God said, Genesis 9:13-15 (New American Standard Bible)

13I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.

14"It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud,

15and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Tomorrow is "change over" day at Kanakuk. The last term of 13-day Kampers are packing their trunks and fighting over which seat they get in the car on the way here. It's rained nearly every change over day and lots of days in between :-) It's been a wet summer.

On my way to work this morning as I pulled out of my driveway about 9 minutes from K-1 and K-Kountry I could see this rainbow (sorry for the bad picture, laptop cam). I thought about all I have to do today and the poor performance of yesterday. The overwhelming nature of the Fall months to come. About the "rain" that seemed seems to be flooding in at the moment.

It might have been a wet summer, but as I drove the windy road, getting my bearings, I could tell that rainbow sat right over the Branson Kamps including my office. I took it as a promise of a dry arrival for Kampers tomorrow and no more than I can handle today at work.

Are you struggling today, overwhelmed, wondering when the next rain is going to pummel you? Be encouraged, as I have been, that the promises of God control this Earth and all that is in it. That's you and me friends. Fear not the rain. Thanks for the prayers for Kanakuk. Pray today especially for the Staff, they are incredible, dedicated to service. They are relying on the promise too.

My "To Do" list for today:

1. Blog Post
2. Finish Cleaning My Desk
3. Meet with Kanakuk Ministries Board Member Tony C.
4. Fax the confidentiality agreement to BroadRamp
5. Finalize the concept for the Kanakuk Display booth
6. Write content for the "The Story", "The Kamps", "The People", and "The Impact" pages of the new website

Whew...that's enough. Just typing that list I think I felt a drop of rain in my office. I may not get it all done and guess what, it's OK. It's more important that I surrender it all to God. He knows what of that he wants done today, it's His work to do through me. What a relief.

I have two blog post ideas going for tomorrow. Talking about the new website. Or defining the word "connectersationalism". Which would you prefer talking about? Something else maybe?

Now Playing: Out Of The Woods by Nickel Creek

*Grant Holcomb lives a couple of miles from my house and runs a Bobcat, excavation service in addition to his farm work. He's pushed some dirt at my house.

Update: Meeting with Tony C. moved to K-Kauai (lose 30 minutes), not having to finish my desk (gain back 15 minutes). Coffee with JGM (gain back 15 minutes)

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

Facebook Connect and You and Me

There is much about the new Facebook Connect that I don't understand. Thankfully Jeremy works here. He gets it.

What I do understand is that with a little effort on our part you can login to Facebook on kanakuk.com and let your friends know what you are doing. Here is an example of a site set-up to demonstrate how it works.

While I think what they did with the demo site is pretty cool, I'm not sure that's the way we would want to implement it on the Kanakuk Kamps website. It feels like the connection is pretty loose and the lack of information about exactly what will be shared would make me hesitant. How would you feel about letting your Facebook friends know that you just registered for next summer, or posted to the Kanakuk "Sayso" forums area, or just commented on a Director's blog post? If you get a chance to check out Facebook's example site, please let me know what you think.

Whatever we do it will be with your permission. You'll have total control over how Facebook connects you with your Kanakuk experience.

Yesterday I posted about the Ricky Jimmerson and Tracy Ashcraft taking on Director roles at the new KAA facility (this year's Kanakuk Klassic). If I had been thinking I would have asked you then if you would be willing to give those two a word of encouragement. Can you jump back to yesterday and post a comment?


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

KAA - Kanakuk Klassic Director memo

Memorandum
To: Kids Across America and Kanakuk Staff
From: Dana Thomas
Date: July 24, 2008
Re: Staff Announcements

As the year continues to unfold, you will see some staff changes.
I’d like to announce that Ricky Jimmerson, Director of KAA 3, will assume the position of Director of KAA Extreme and Tracy Ashcraft, Women’s Director of Kanakuk’s K-Klassic, will be joining Ricky, as the Women’s Director of KAA Extreme.
I encourage you to pray for Ricky Jimmerson and Tracy Ashcraft, as they begin this new journey as directors of KAA Extreme with many exciting and challenging responsibilities.
The new director for KAA 3 is still pending. We will make that announcement once the decisions have been made and finalized.
Thank you!
Dana


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

Tim Oliphant American Gladiator Spotted at Starbucks

I went to Starbucks this morning with my wife and her aunt who was down from Canada. While there, Tim Oliphant, from the American Gladiators show, came in. He noticed that the place was full of flies, which it was. He grabbed a Branson newspaper and started whacking the flies. It was crazy! Here are some pics.

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

Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update - It's Open!

This morning the bridge looked like this. More like a bridge but still clearly under construction. I had a meeting with Doug at Starbucks in downtown Branson, so at 11:00 I made what would turnout to be one last trek around the detour. By late this afternoon the bridge was open and looked like this.

County Commissioner, Danny Strahan, who oversees road issues came by the office to officially let us know that the bridge was open. He said it was a 90 day project that was completed in just 27 days! It obviously didn't just magically appear there. Some serious hard work and sweat went into getting it done. Many thanks to everyone involved throughout Taney County.

K-1 parents coming to closing ceremonies next week will get to enjoy the new bridge. We sure do thank all our parents who patiently and graciously came the "long way" around to pick up their children!

It's been a great summer already. So many Kampers have put down deep spiritual roots and left a legacy in the hearts of the Directors and counselors. What a privilege it is for us to share just a little time with your children.

Earlier I met with Collin Sparks, the K-Kountry Assistant Director. He's already planning for the winter and thinking about the best ways to stay connected with all his new friends. It's obvious he's pouring out every ounce of energy to make this summer life-changing for every Kamper. Thanks Collin for loving on our kids.

I just met with JGM about innovation, man I love working with that guy, he super creative! I've never met someone with his spreadsheet skills who loves to think big picture, and out of the box like he does. It's really fun and I'm blessed.



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

Facebook Changes

Jeremy our Web Programmer just got back from the Facebook Conference F8 in San Fransisco. This afternoon we are meeting to go over everything he learned about how we can connect the people who come to www.kanakuk.com with their Facebook profile.

I promise I'll get back to you on what I find out.

Are you on Facebook?


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

Remembering Spike

8 years ago when I started working at Kanakuk, Spike White, Darnell's husband and Joe's dad, was still loving on the place and the people that make up Kanakuk Kamps. He was such a great encouragement to me for those first few years of working here. He more than anyone helped me understand the past and to see the threads that have run constant through Kanakuk over time. I took some time the other day to write these remembrances down. I didn't want them to be lost. He was a great man and a great example to all of us.

Spike and lifelong friend Jack Herschend, kayaking.

Spike would come to my office early in the morning, telling me stories, praising me and encouraging me in my work in a special way that no one had ever done or has done since. He had a special “guy” way of making you feel important, but not too important for your own britches! A fine line that few master, but he did. I called those 6:00 am moments with him my "Spike Time" and I had far to few of them before he passed away.

I cherish the fact that I was among some of the last employees hired to get the “Spike” tour of the grounds. Hearing on the trip the little nuggets about who built what and what used to be from one of the "engineers" of this place. Nuggets that I was too naive then to file away as important. I think of him every time I walk across the red walk way bridge and think about how it took someone with his personality and skills to get this place on it's feet again in the 50's.

I think my favorite thing he used to do was arrive through the mailroom door, full mail tub in hand and announce “The MAIL is here. That’s M-A-I-L!” He would spell the last slowly so that you didn’t miss it:-) He would go to the mail annex in Hollister everyday to get the mail so we would have it just a few hours earlier. He would take things to the employees at the annex and no doubt his encouraging spirit was felt there too.

His truck, as well, was a testament to his frugality and “get the job done” way he lived his life. It had things in it that he had rescued, things that others had tossed out as waste, he saw something valuable in them. That red truck was covered with bumps and bruises from his travels around Kamp and the whole community, to encourage all those he came in contact with. It communicated so much about what Kanakuk is about.

In the Spring Spike would ask me, and I’m sure many others, if I was ready for summer. I’d always respond “no” to which he would say “Well the kids are coming!” and off he’d go like there was no point in worrying about it, that God would take care of it, because the kids were coming whether we were ready or not! That lesson has served me well.

Spike and Darnell White

I know many who read this blog have been associated with Kanakuk long enough that you too have stories about Spike. Share them with us all by leaving a comment.

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

New I'm Third Movie

I am absolutely busting at the seams! Our Media Director Tim Oliphant, also of American Gladiator fame, just finished a new short film that communicates the I'm Third philosophy.
The I'm Third life philosophy has been a foundation of Kanakuk for so many years and a vital part of the growth that Kampers experience during a term here. One of Tim's strengths is Communication and he does such a great job of piecing things together so that you and I can feel it too.

Enjoy this short film and please leave your comments about it.

This is a preview. We'll eventually have a fully credited, high quality version available over at www.kanakuk.com. While I'm at it I'll leak something about the new website: We are planning special "easter eggs" on the home page of the new site. The first one will be typing "JOY" on the keyboard then you'll get a surprise. New www.kanakuk.com coming in September.

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

Tim Oliphant American Gladiators Watch Party Recap

Tim on the big screen at the American Gladiators watch party Monday Night.

Atlasphere being announced.

Ashley Robbins (blue), Jason Arellano (sitting far left) and Joe White (coming up the stairs).

Tim taking questions after the show.

Tim Oliphant talking to some of his youngest fans.

I couldn’t get a web connection at IMAX so here is a quick recap of the watch party.
-----
Friends of Tim filled the IMAX Cinema III theater. Tim played bouncer at the door.

As the show started the crowd began to cheer. With the first muscle flex the room erupted. Friendly “boos” rang out when Tim’s competition was introduced.

Tim taunted the Gladiators and announced that, “He’s ready!”

As Toa collided with Tim the crowd groaned, but Tim took the win in Rocketball.

Tim stood in the back with Kris Cooper during the show, laughing and critiquing his performance. He greeted people as they came and went.

Of course you know the rest because you watched the show…

After the show, the lights were brought up and Tim thanked IMAX for allowing the use of their theater. He mentioned that IMAX is thinking about doing other TV type showings in their theaters.

Tim answered questions about the show. Almost slipping up about the results of future shows. He held it together though and the future remains sealed.

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