Taylor Allen lifts Kwest to a new level

One of the hidden blessings of the summer was having Taylor Allen and some of the former K-Klassic staff move to Kwest. Now that Klassic will be hosting urban kids as Kids Across America launches another new kamp, we have the honor of collecting some of their staff to help us out with our kids.

Taylor Allen transferred kamps to become the Kwest Scheduler and Athletic Director. With his administrative and organization gifts, he plopped right into the middle of our crazy schedule and kept us all going in the right direction. He was responsible for all of our daily schedules, kamper awards, and overseeing all the equipment on a day to day basis (as well as running a small group, speaking and teaching, and making sure we didn't miss any of the small details that make the Westside awesome).

He took us to a new level. In Smitty's words, we are definitely "flying higher" since he arrived.

Taylor is in Florida this year helping direct K-Life kids to a deeper walk with the Lord. His TCU degree and his excellent skills in tennis, hoops, and soccer made him an instant favorite with our staff and kids. We know he is taking his K-Life to the next level too.

We like Taylor a lot. Now that he has Kwest all figured out, we can't wait to see how high we fly next year.

Instant Memories

On the way to Colorado last week, my son was bored and decided to take some pictures as we jetted down the Interstate in our suburban. I handed him back my camera and he started to have some fun.

A few minutes later, I heard him say, "Got it!" My natural response was, "Got what?"
He showed me the picture.

He had captured a lighting strike from a Western Kansas thunderstorm. Pretty cool stuff for a 15 year old using my "pink" point and shoot camera.





Aj also took some time to find a way to shoot some pretty cool pictures of the Rocky Mountains. I think he has a knack for good pictures. His eye allowed lots of "got it" moments for us on our vacation this year. He basically made instant memories when he captured these on film.




Hundreds of staff and thousands of kampers from this summer have memories that will be ingrained in their minds forever. The pool is empty and the blob is gone, but the memories will be a vivid as the day they happened as we walk through this winter.

I can't remember a summer where I have finished with as much energy, passion, vision,and excitement for what God did, and will do this year. I thank Him for all the memories that He made happen that will motivate us to love him more this year.

I can't wait for opening day....

Back at it!

Just wanted to let you know that we will be back at it again.

What a summer of fun and life change. I can't wait to fill you in on all that has happened in the Kwest world in the last few weeks (trust me...I have a lot to share with you).

Thanks for following along. I love what we get to do.

Looking for my arrows...

Wow. That's about all that I can say. Double Wow!

What a finish to our 6th term party. Tonight we set sail to a typhoon of a party as we flooded the kdome with several thousand gallons of water and danced the night away.

This night has always been a special one and it didn't disappoint anyone. All the kampers were having a blast as we played some Lecrae, Smitty, and even some "ice cream and cake". It was an awesome night and finish to an awesome day.

We can't wait to see all of the parents tomorrow.

Jack Bauer can't beat this 24

Jack Bauer doesn't have anything on Kwest's Michael Allinson. Michael took a few minutes the other day on his time off to card a 24 under on our Frisbee golf course, which just happens to be a course record.

Nailing 7 hole in one's on his way to sizzling round of disc golf, he has definitely made a spot for himself in the kwest record books.

Congrats to our new champion. I think it may be a long time before this record is broken. Bauer might be able to save the world and the White House from a nuclear attack, but I don't he would ever be able to catch up with Allinson.

Typical is Awesome

Yesterday was a typical day. Now that I think about it, every day here at Kwest seems to be Typical. Not that it all goes perfect, but when you have rose colored glasses on, it's tough not to see how great things are here on Kanakuk hill.

It was also a incredible day! What do I mean by that?

It was a beautiful day of Ozark summer weather (the only place the sky is more blue is in Colorado).

The kampers all had a great day (laughter seems to start before sun comes up and not finish till the last person puts their head on the pillow).

Eternity will now look different because of what occurred at our kamp fires last night (some kids rang the bell signifying that they had given their lives to Christ).

Not to mention kids smiling and conquering home sickness, new friendships forming that I know will last for life, and a few boys creating memories that they will never forget (I taught aqua skipping class and we sank one but had a ton of fun playing on Table Rock Lake).

Yep, it was pretty much a regular 'ol day here at Kwest...which by the way, just happens to Awesome!

I will never stop being amazed at how the Lord continues to bless what we do here. We have a great staff who are yielding their lives to Him, a wonderful leadership team who tirelessly work to make it all excellent, and an owner whose passion for serving the Lord is unmatched by any other man I know.

When "typical" becomes "awesome" there is always danger of getting used to things being so great. That never happens here. God always seems to show up in new and different ways showering us with a never ending flow of His love, grace and mercy.

I am glad that yesterday was another "typical day" here at Kwest. Each summer day that passes just makes me feel it's getting better and better.

I can't believe it's almost over. We have so much to do in so little time...

A song in our Hearts

The Wizard of Oz, the sound of Music, or Disney's Mulan? Today is have a song in your heart day. That's right. Everyone is singing here at Kwest. It's fun, it's light, and it's uplifting.

Each day we have a "theme" for the day which includes a skit at flag. This morning we were singing songs and having loads of fun with the classic Disney songs and old musicals that never go out of style.

We have a picture perfect day weather wise and the kampers are all enjoying a full day of classes tailored to their own personal liking (remember at Kwest all kampers get to select all of their own classes).

Both our one week and two week kampers are having a blast!

Finally Here!

Opening day 6th term. Opening day 11th term. We have been waiting all winter. They have been waiting all winter. It's finally here and boy what a start!

Last night was a picture perfect night at Kwest as the cars and buses rolled in, dropped off kampers and luggage, and we got to start another term of kamp. The weather was perfect, the burgers were the best, and Klife was rocking last night as we kicked off another Dare to Dream time on the grounds of Kwest.

This group looks to be our best of the summer. I am excited to get things going and so are they.

I love kamp.