Young and Useful

I Timothy 4:12

One of the really fun things that happens every summer at kamp are positive friendships.

Friendships that are established from years past have the opportunity to be renewed and friendships that have never existed before have the chance to develop. Kamp friendships are what make the summer time and this place so sweet (which might be puzzling to some when you think about the hundreds upon hundreds of Jr. High kids running around together).

I was walking out of the dining hall today and noticed a small group of kuk and komo kampers talking with each other. There were lots of smiles, plenty of laughter, and plenty of encouragement being shared. Middle school is such a wonderful time for all of that to happen and there is not a better place to watch it unfold than at Kwest.

Today our VOD (verse of the day) targeted this very point. Timothy was reminded by Paul that just because you are young, doesn't mean that you can't be an example, have an impact on others, and be used by the Lord. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful every kamper is that walks through our gates. They are no doubt young, but are incredibly poised to be leaders and lights in their homes, schools, and with their friends. The neat part is that they don't wait till they get home: it happens here with each other.

I am originally from Kansas where our state song reminds us that it's a very encouraging place, "where seldom is heard, a discouraging word" as the tune goes. It's funny how Kwest is that type of place. Encouraging, uplifting, safe, and fun. It's the perfect place for healthy middle school friendships to grow and develop. Everyone is being built up by each other and who doesn't love that type of atmosphere?

I recently read an article in the news that a 13 year old boy became the youngest to ever summit Mt. Everest. His plan is to summit 7 more of the highest peaks in the world on seven different continents. Young and very resourceful with unlimited dreams.

I guess that's what put gas on my tank every day as the director of Kwest. Every kamper that takes a seat in our chuckwagon to be a part of kamp has so much potential to have an impact on our world today...and they don't have to wait to grow up.

That's what friends are for.

K-Life Tonight!

Do you have any idea how much fun it is to be in a room full of 300 fired up middle school kampers who love being at KWest? It can be a little intimidating to be honest, but it really is a blast to watch them have so much fun.

A couple of nights ago, we all had a wonderful time enjoying an evening of singing, skits, and music. It was all topped off by a very interesting talk from Todd Rapp, our men's director. This session at Kwest has been extra special. The kampers have been the best, the weather has been perfect, and the staff is doing unbelievable in their jobs as counselors.

Tonight we will be doing our cross talk night where kampers will get to hear about the gospel in a very relevant and upbeat way through skits, dramas, and finishing it off with a time together at the Kwest counsel ring where we have a large cross. It is always a special time.

On a side note, it's amazing what can happen when you mix water, balloons, and a bunch of hot kampers who are looking for ways to keep cool. Today during free time, the guys have "Man Day" so we decided to make man size water balloons and haul them around kamp. Most of the ones we made were the size of very large watermelons (ironically a good workout for the guys to carry them around for a while before strategically disposing of them).

Every day is good a kamp. I wish I would blog more. I guess the good thing is that we are so busy making this place fun, I rarely sit down in the office.

Thanks for checking in....Kwest is rolling along like a well organized covered wagon train.