Come on....PANCAKES!!!!!

Vote for choc chip pancakes that are the size of car spare tires!

Top Ten Lights Up! The Chuckwagon?

Controversy....I love it. That's why I am posting a new poll for you to vote on.

I want to know what the staff, the kids, the parents, and the readers think about what we serve in our Kwest Kitchen. Noticeably absent from this list are Burritos, a classic favorite of Mikey Mcguire, who no doubt became a legend by standing at the leadership table, emphatically declaring his intentions, and then systematically devouring multiple burritos in a crazed frenzy (much to the delight of Bunkhouse one).

Whether you like it or not, Peanut Butter will always make my list of the best things about the Kwest dining hall. I stopped short of adding my other favorite that disappeared a few years ago: ice cold chocolate milk straight from the cows. Yep, we used to have cows in the kitchen. If you read this and know what I am talking about, let me hear from you. It's definitely a lost art.

Vote today...vote for more than one. I am secretly anxious to find out what America really thinks about the greatest food on the planet. Let me hear from you!

The Top Ten Things That Make KWest The Greatest Place on Earth!

Memories....come on. It's all about memories. That's why every summer is so fun, so crazy, and so laughable. The more outrageous the fun, the more likely we are to talk about it the next year.

When you have staff like these guys pictured above (Mike and Matt were always crazy), it's time to bring out the dreads and turn it up to serious fun. Every day at kamp is an opportunity to make some stories and some memories. From the Screamer to the blob, from the Beach party to Balto, its always time for a great memory maker.

Does anyone remember Grinder in the Pool? How about Befort putting out the tribal kamp fire with a small water hose? Let's not even start to talk about the term without Hobie. I know the kitchen still talks about that great team of girls who went over 10 days with no dishwasher except their bare hands. What about kamp out and all the cabins who thought they were in trouble but ended up being blessed with a night by the dock and morning ski. What about WWWWWaaaaaayyyyynnnnnneeeeee? He was a legend last summer.

The list is long. I can't wait to add to it this year. :)

Top Ten Things Continued....

"The Kwest Western party was the first time in my life that I ever held hands with a girl...and the first time I ever danced with a girl." That was what one of our current Kwest Kuk staff said last year when we were setting up for the Western party. Where would the Kwest top ten list be without mentioning something about Western night?

Root beer, watermelon, BBQ, corn on the cob, and fun picnics have helped make the Western Dance a memory maker for over 25 years. Every cabin one kid has a lasting memory of how they had to go "arm to arm" escorting their partner to the dance floor. Most couldn't wait to let go so they could find their counselors. Unreal deal on the other hand was loving every minute and will always two step as long as the music plays.

It's the party that you can't possible mess up to be honest. Although one year we did have the local square dance organization stop by to teach square dancing. They did a wonderful job of helping us Dosi doe, but one or two did pass out from the heat and humidity since they were all over 65. We had a few scary moments that year.

We could talk about all the skits related to that night, but it would take up too much time. Eric Peterson always loved this night. So did Jeff Marshall. Austin Ochs thinks he really is a cowboy (he may be) and Travis Hague loves to be at the center of the Cotton Eyed Joe to make it go. It's also the one night to see Todd Rapp and all of his kids in cowboy outfits with their skit buck teeth walking around camp looking great.

Western night at Kwest. It's who we are, and it's what we do. That's why it makes our list of what makes this place so great.

Stop by this summer for one of our parties. I would love to buy you an IBC!

Oh, by the way...that's Lyle Sankey with an 11 year boy teaching him the finer points of bull riding. Lyle lives on as a Kwest legend.

Top Ten things about KWest!

Okay, there are lots of wonderful things about kamp and Kwest, but it would be tough to argue the fact that camp fire night might just be the best thing we do all summer. More fun things happen on that night than any other.

It all starts in the kitchen when we pack up the boxes. No, I take that back. It starts when the leadership team gets up early and makes 500 sandwiches. Then we stuff tons Hershey bars and marsh mellows for SMORES (any kitchies reading this now is smiling because they know there's not an evening meal to mess with!). The box full of food is like a gold mine by the time it goes to flag.

Once kids find their camp fire spot (and don't take that for granted...many get lost, left at the nurses station, or at the pool deck) the bonding begins and the magic happens.

Lot's of laughs, lots of stories, lots of fun, and lots of life change once the fire dies down. I don't know what it is about a camp fire, but it just brings out the best of everyone heart.

Over the years, tons of salvation has happened at KWest around the camp fire circles. I think that's why it makes my top ten list of what makes camp great.

If you have a good memory or story from camp fire night, but sure to make a comment. I love reading about the fun things...

The AquaSkipper Dock Is Complete!

Who's ready to hop in Table Rock Lake? Count me in. I'm especially excited because K-West officially has the opportunity to have AquaSkipping as a class for Kuk kampers! In a virtually unprecedented decision, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers granted us permission to build another dock which will be our official "AquaSkipper Dock." It is located deeper in the cove, about 75 yards from the main dock. This summer, we hope to teach kampers how to aquaskip as well as Scott Upton (pictured above) and Weston Wiebe! Ready to try?

Top Ten things about Summers At KWest

Okay, one of the best things about being at KWest during the summer has to be the fact that after 85 years, we still have our Indian tradition alive. There's not a person out there that has been through our gates that doesn't still smile when we talk about Choctaws and Cherokees, or Kiowas and Kickapoos. From struggling to figure out how to set up a the Tepee during Uncle Week every year, all the way to raising the flag during closing ceremonies, it's AWESOME!

Opening night tribals is the best night in kamp hands down. The Chiefs and Princesses get to do their thing, flaming arrows are flying into the lake, the kampers all go ballistic with their tribal comp and cheers, and 5 secret, but real life Indians, come in the ring to dance. It's always a beautiful night...no, I take that back, it's always a perfect night.

There is only one group of folks that I know can't identify with us. When Kwest first started, it was all Cowboys. That's right. You were either a Wrangler, or a Ranger...Indians were too scared to come around. Outfits ruled the competition fields, not tribes. It was a sweet time. If you were there, you know what it was like.

As we count down the top ten things that make Kwest great, Indian tradition has to be included. You know the second night of kamp where we will be. Get your paint ready...

March is Long Gone

Well, March madness is long gone, but basketball is still at the top of my list.
It was fun to watch all of the Kwest gang jump into things before North Carolina won it all. My hats off to Nate Bohon, Dan Crosby, and Allen Befort. All of them picked UNC to win it all and they were right. It's good to know that we have some knowledgeable guys in our mix. They did a super job at sorting through all of the chaff and figuring out the big picture. And for that, I tip my hat and say, "Join us for the 1st term Best Bunkhouse party!" We will celebrate with you!!

Hello K-West Family!

My two middle boys, Carter and Connor know how to push each other’s buttons. But tonight, their friendship was ignited. It all began when Carter asked Connor for help drawing Easter eggs. That was all it took for the two of them to embark on a mission together that would open their eyes to how wonderful a brother's friendship can be. After successfully completing the egg drawings under dad's time limit, the two raced up the stairs to brush their teeth, relishing their accomplishment. After reaching the top of the stairs, Carter commented on how cool it was "being a team," and how happy he was to have Connor's help. In response Connor says, "Carter, guess how long we are going to be friends." After a few guesses, Connor finally reveals the answer: "Forever." "Yeah!" replied Carter. The two of them interacted the rest of the night as if they were best friends--- patient, understanding, playful, and unselfish. It goes to show you how working on a project together with someone and helping each other can draw you closer and make your differences seem to disappear.
In less than two months you and I will have the privilege to work together on a most amazing project.

To revolutionize America’s youth culture by
developing Christian leaders through the
relentless pursuit of excellence in Christian sports camping.

We’ll be laughing, smiling, running, teaching, hugging, playing, serving, leading and sweating more than we probably ever have in our lives. And it is going to be the greatest summer of our lives. Just you wait and see what God does in you, and through you! It is impossible to explain how significant this summer will be for you and for those you interact with. Friendships will blossom in the fertile soil of Kanakuk as we embark on our mission together. My best friends—to this day—are the friends I met at Kanakuk 20 years ago or more. Most of them wish they could come back to serve!

Crazy how God works at this place.
Crazy that you and I GET to work at this place, isn’t it!

Thanks for being part of this summer at K-West. We are sooooo thrilled to you YOU on the team.

Todd Rapp
K-West Men’s Director

Encouragement

This morning I had the opportunity to speak to the Institute students. The men of this years class are preparing to graduate and be launched into ministry.

As they move onto the next step, we were challenging them one final time, painting a picture of what a true man of God looks like in today's world. I spoke on the component of encouragement. It has three basic forms: spoken, written, and what I call "just being there."

Sometimes the physical presence of an encourager is enough to change someones world.

That was our yellow lab. For a few moments, he did change our world.

Our family dog Trip just didn't wake up this morning. He had been sick recently and we all knew he was wrestling to stay alive.

I have fond memories of him bouncing through the back of the Klife gym as he ran up to the front to jump into my arms. That summer at kamp, we literally grew him up from a puppy to a rather large 6 month old yellow lab with huge paws and muscular shoulders.

As I walked home at the end of every kamp day into the yard or our house, he was always there to greet me. He was always happy. He was always glad to be a part of our family. He was always just there.

He was the ultimate encourager. I am going to miss him a ton, and so will our family. It's amazing how attached we can get to our pets.

But we do have great memories. My personal favorite is that every time I hugged Beth, he would give a big playful bark just to remind me not to neglect him. He would bark until we acknowledge him and granted a few head pats.

I am going to miss Trip. But you know what? I am still thankful I can hug my wife. She is my true encourager.