Summer is Over but Kamp Keeps Going

Unofficially, summer is over...but Kamp has definitely not stopped.

Kids are back in school. Staff are back on their campuses. Our pools are drained and the blob is deflated.

Now what?

I hear that question frequently at parents ceremonies. What do you do when kamp is not in session? That's a fair question and it needs to be addressed.

Besides uncovering from a few weeks off and being smacked by dozens of emails and going through piles of letters, it is good to be back at my desk. I am by no means a desk guy, but I can take the trade off when we get to be at kamp for those 3 months of unreal fun.

I had several things remind me this morning that even though summer is over, kamp hasn't ended for any of us. Yes, our dock is empty and the dining hall is put away, but our vision continues to be carried out by kids and staff that have gone home. And that's how I spend my time during the off season: helping them keep momentum.

One parent I spoke to this morning, is dedicated to keep her kids going spiritually through her local Klife small group bible studies. I was excited to hear that despite the business of starting another year of school, their family priorities are including staying in God's Word year round: small group bible study is at the top of list. Every Tuesday they are gathering together with the Klife staff to dig into the Bible...and stay strong.

Another letter I opened today talked about how post kamp activity for one kamper has helped lay a foundation for a great school year of being I'm Third: stacking their Ipod with Christian music, posting encouragement on Facebook pages with kamp friends (and getting encouragement in return), carrying on the kamp traditions each day, and as her mom put it, "Filled up...to the brim" with a life that is centered around the Greatest Commandment*.

Even though summer is over, what happened at kamp is the fuel that feeds our fall, winter, and spring months here at Kanakuk central. We want to see kids have a great school year living lives that put God first and keeping Him there. And we get excited about doing everything we can to help make that happen.

*Matthew 22:37-40

Opening Day is a Leap

Opening day is always a blast at Kwest. This year our kiddo's arrived to the staff jumping up and down cheering them on as they were introduced at kamp. They took a little jump off 0f the pool deck down onto some soft mats below.

Its amazing that yesterday was our last opening day for the new one week kampers. The excitement level is very high and the energy has been great. Kampers really are having fun.

Personally I had 8 new guys in Basketball this morning so it was new faces and sweet scrimmage time for all of our guys.

The staff have been unreal. They almost appear to have saved the best for last!