One Last Say So

It's the end of another term. Short of the final awards ceremony, we can't do anything else to make this term complete.

It's been fun. It's been life changing. It's been almost perfect...too good to be true.

Tonight the kampers have their final time together in the Klife gym. They finish up where they started opening night.

We do say so this night. Say so means that kampers will have the chance to stand up and share what has happened in their lives and hearts. It's their chance to "say so" if they have become a Christian.

I like it. It's a mirror of what has happened over the past days here on Kanakuk hill. It's good to see that God is still at work in so many ways that we don't even see or begin to even understand.

That's just another reason why Kwest is the best place on the planet.

Carter Dance

Todd and Bronwyn's kids are awesome. They are great parents and they have great kids.

The other day Carter broke out in a bumble bee dance with our kitchies that had every laughing. I loved it.

One of the things that Kanakuk is great at is getting excited for making kampers dreams come true. We encourage, build up, support, cheer and rally so other's dreams can come true.

By the way, I love kwest parents. They send us the best kids in the world. I can't wait to see them today at 5pm.

Skit Time

In the world of a safety officer, this might be a ticket. In the world of a special programs director, this is fun.

Each day at the flag we never know what will happen with skits. This morning we had an action packed skit that ended up with a few folks in the pool (and probably a few tickets too).

One of the great things about Kwest is that each day our programs folks dream up ways to make the fun last all through today. It usually starts with a skit at flag to kick off the theme of the day. This morning was no different.

Tonight we are having our Survivor man party. It's similar to a fun version of what you might see on a TV adventure show where someone goes to the wilderness with just his camera crew and then tries to make it throught several days of hiking and camping just living off the land. The kids don't have it that rough tonight, but they will have fun as they navigate things around kamp and do their best to survive the elements.

Ahhh, the spoils of being at kamp.

Breakfast is never really Breakfast with the boys

When the boys side of kamp finally wakes up and hits the dining hall, look out.

This morning breakfast was a little more than a bit "chipper" as the saying goes.
Bumble Bee time was buzzing as we presented the campers their morning awards for excellence in sports effort.

It would appear that our Bee continues to grow in size as the term passes. He has taken many different shapes and forms, and this morning may have shown what could be Kwest's best kept secret: Spencer.

One great thing about being a kamper at Kwest is that nothing is ever boring and nothing is what it appears to be. It's always more fun and always more action packed.

I love the Bumble Bee.

An Evening in the Woods

It was campfire night last night.

Campfire nights are always special here at Kwest. Good things happen. Life changing things happen.

Last night was no different. The bell rang so many times that I stopped counting. Many of our campers became Christians last night. In fact, yesterday lots of kids became Christians, some even at rest period in the middle of the day.

This summer has been a busy but one thing is for sure: God is going to show up and execute His plan. It's really fun to see Him at work, especially with something as simple as a small campfire with a few smores.

We need to do more of those...

Kampfires!

The best night in kamp, hands down, is kampfire night.

Why? Well, because it's fun, it's cool, we make memories, and lot's of hearts are changed.

Tonight we all head out to the woods as individual cabins and have our own kampfires. We will eat well (Leadership just made over 400 hand made sandwiches this morning), we will have some smores, and we will enjoy some really, really nice weather (it will be in the low 80's today and even down into the 50's tonight!).

Our picture above is from flag this morning as the boys were leaving to head to breakfast. Last night we had a super fun western night with 2 steppin', watermelon, and some good ol fashion root beer.

Does life get any better?

Liquid Sunshine

Something strange happened today. It rained.

Not that rain is any special, but it sure seems like it this summer. We just haven't had much. In fact, I can't remember having to cancel any classes for rainy day activities.

At kamp, we have always welcomed rain. Down here in the Ozarks, we call it liquid sunshine. It never stops kamp from having fun.

From the looks of the wet tennis court complex, you would think we are all sitting around in the bunkhouses playing cards waiting for the clouds to disappear. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Right now in the boys gym, Matt Thomas and Nate Sell are heading up the most exciting "Deal or No Deal" that Kwest has ever seen. The boys are shouting, yelling, encouraging, and bargaining to "cut a deal" so they can win something for their cabin, or maybe even for the whole kamp.

On the ladies side of kamp, the "Komos have Talent" as the girls bust out some their wonderful talents in a little friendly competition. Talent shows are hilarious here and EVERY kamper has something to offer to pass along smiles and grins.

Personal Service

One of my favorite things about Kwest is that each kamper gets a little touch of personal service when they walk into the gates.

In the picture above, Lindsay, our girls scheduler, is taking some time to help out Lauren and Carla with changes to their class schedule. When kampers take a step into the Kwest world, one option they have at this kamp that they may not have at others is selection of all of their own classes. It makes things really fun when you get to do what you want to do, and even more fun is that you can match your best friends schedule in most cases. It's a recipe for total fun.

We aim to please at Kwest and give our kids the individual attention they need each day.

By the way, today is another mild day here at kamp. Temperatures are hovering around 80 degrees with a cool breeze.

5th Term is Rollin!

Man is is ever good to have term 5 here.

Tonight was a picture perfect opening for the kampers who have waited such a long time to be here. The weather continues to be fabulous which adds tons of energy to an already over enthusiastic staff! We are excited to have some fun with kids!

Opening night found a challenge for each kamper. Dare to Dream is our theme and we are encouraging the kids who walk through our gates to grab on to some special dreams that God has for them this week.

The middle school years are always a time for choices and deciding who you will become. Kwest and our staff want to help kampers make the right choices that will lead them to a strong foundation this next year at school, as well as the turbulent high school years just around the corner.

It's all good here tonight in Kwest land. We are grateful for another wonderful opening day!

Pirates Everywhere!

Tonight will be the kampers favorite.

We have our Pirate Party complete with a raging sea. That's right. We flood the Kdome with lots of water, set up a 30 ft pirate, trim the sails for our real Black Pearl, and heave ho for a wonderful evening of fun and excitement.

Today our kampers will be searching for gold in kamp, but have to be careful...there are plenty of pirates waiting in the wings to grab it back.

Our kamp loves this day. It's awesome for everyone. Stay tuned for more details.

Term 7 Almost like Heaven

Term 8 is up and going. It's fun to have another new set of kampers in for this next week. I always love the change.

I have to be honest though. Term 7 for us was awesome. We had awesome kids, awesome weather, awesome counselors, and awesome things happening (did I use awesome too much?).

We all had fun, lots of kampers became Christians, and plenty of new friendships were developed that I know will be followed up during the year.

Brent Clarkson decided to show up for a prize visit with his new bride. It was fun to see him back in town. We miss him. The kids miss him. Our staff misses him. It is men like Brent that make this place so much fun.

Rumor has it some blasts from the past will be surfacing in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Sports Center?

Sports center has hit Kwest. Every morning the boys side of kamp wakes up to listen to our local Sports Cast team give their review of the top sports stories from around the world. Trust me...this is something you don't want to miss.

With a blend of humor and whit, a few wild sports related stories from around the globe, notto mention some funky skit clothes, make these few moments of the day among the most memrable of a kwest kampers time here. Its hillarious, energizing, and just plain fun to wake up and listen to Luke and Nate put their spin on wacky as well as legit sports news ala ESPN style.

Hats off to the guys for this mornings fun wake up. Can't wait to hear tomorrow's show.

Trail Dust to a new level

We made history today. We had another first at Kwest. You wouldn't guess it in a million years... unless Todd Rapp would have taken a picture just to prove that it really did happen (see photo).

Hunter Hall, our resident expert pole vaulter and Virgina Tech's best with a top ten finish this year in the NCAA's, took time to help our Western Party go to new heights by vaulting into the swimming pool, landing perfectly, and then polishing off his flag skit by "shooting the bad guys" from the diving board and blob tower when he surfaced with his pole floating behind him.

It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are that work here on our staff. They are fun, energetic, athletic, and certainly committed to take kamp to the next level.

It's not every day you see something like this happen. It was definitely a memory maker for sure. I am proud of Hunter for his creativity. I wish you could have seen it in person.

ChuckWagon and Salvation

KWest Chuckwagon. It's where lots of things happen every day. It is where kamp really becomes kamp.

This morning the guys tackled biscuits and gravy before they launched into their day of classes and fun adventure. You gotta eat to get some fuel for what we do here. The days are very long and loaded with so many things to keep you moving.

The start of this term has brought a new found energy to Kwest. Our second session staff has arrived at just the right time to give us a much needed boost of energy and smiles.

Last night after opening tribal night, we actually had several kampers come and ring the bell (which signifies that they committed their lives to the Lord)! It's unreal how the Lord continues to bless what we do here at Kwest. He is definitely at work and we are humbled by what He continues to do.

Opening day and we are rollin'

There is nothing like opening day at kamp. It has all the fine ingrediants of an instant classic movie: excitement, adventure, unpredicatable fun, and more laughs than even the IMAX big screen could post at one time. I love it.

Our fourth session is off and rollin'. It's a blessing to have new staff, new kids, new energy, and a new day to watch God mold friendships and change hearts.

I guess over my time here at Kanakuk, I have probably touched over a million trunks. Okay, maybe not that many, but I bet it's been a lot. I just hauled another one down to Kuk 5 a few minutes ago. It was fun to get a new kamper moved in and settled down.

Opening day is always fun. I can't wait for tonight when we set the stage for these next few days at kamp. Everyone is a little nervous, but way excited. I can't wait to hear about their dreams and helping make those come true.

KWest opening days are always the best!

Big 4th of July Party

It's always nice to know that whenever you are at Kanakuk, special things happen.
The Fourth of July could certainly be defined as something special for sure.

Bringing a mix of summer time fun and celebration, along with some good 'ol family holiday traditions, the Kwest gang threw a big time party to celebrate our Independence and freedoms we enjoy here in America.

Starting with the best picnic of the summer, Jenica and her team of wonderful cooks worked extra hard to serve up a meal that all of us will remember long after summer is gone. Hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet could define what we experienced...it was all American and all fun.

I have to admit that Jenica's home made apple pie did make me miss Hillsboro, Kansas and my family, but with a scoop of ice cream and some good friends, it felt like we were all with our families.

The night ended with a great concert at K2 along with a full blown fireworks show headed up by the Kwest team. It made for a perfect day.

Oh yeah, we did come back to the Westside and finish it all off with some Red, white, and blue bomb Pops...

Happy Fourth of July!

Cross Talk

What a busy last three days. So many things have happened here at the Westside.
I have much to share.

Friday night we kicked off the fourth of July weekend with our Cross Talk night. This year at Kwest we take time to walk through the gospel as we present events that led up to the Crucifixion via skits and multi media. It always seems to be a memorable night for our staff and the kampers.

Our purpose is to help kamp see how great the love of God is for the world and really how much He did sacrifice for us went He sent His only Son to die for us. It is not a night where we push for any decisions as much as it is an opportunity for all of us to see that we do have a Heavenly Father who cares for us deeper than we can wrap our minds around.

The weather has been so wonderful here. Cross talk night finished up on a warm evening as we sat on the tennis court complex under a back drop of endless stars with a silky moon to top it all off.

I know many hearts will not be the same after this night.

Christmas in July

The Komos always find a way of having outrageous fun here at kwest. Yesterday they took the time to bring a little Christmas cheer to the boys side of kamp when they showed up dressed as rain deer singing some Christmas Carols.

To be honest, I am not sure why they did it, but it sure was fun to watch.

My hats off to Molly and her girls for taking time to make our guys side laugh and enjoy the time here.

By the way, it has been absolutely gorgeous here as far as the weather is concerned. Many of the staff had to use some sweat shirts this morning on their normal morning runs thanks to cloud cover and a little chilly weather. It's awesome!

Everyone is staying healthy and we are having a super time!

7 Day Changeover and Banana Splits

Today was a changeover for our 7 day kampers. It was a great day to honor them.

I have always said that having a 7 day kamper at kwest is a little like "getting to eat half of a banana split." To me, the best part of a 3 dip delicious treat like that is when you get to those last few bites where everything has run together. I love it! I feel like 7 days just isn't long enough to enjoy everything that we have to offer. You don't get to "eat" those best scoops of ice cream and hot fudge all mixed together. There just isn't time.

No worries though. We had plenty of fun, excitement, and adventures in the days we shared here. This past term was a blast and I wish we could do it all over again. In fact, I hope all of our 5th term 7 day kampers can return for a couple of weeks next year.

Until then, we will keep the last few bites on hold for you. Trust me, we can't wait to serve you up some tree tops in 2010!