June 30

A trip to Kids Across America

For the football and basketball players our friendly scrimmage with the Kids Across America is a huge summer highlight. Everybody wins no matter what the score. We play hard but the mutual respect is foremost. Perhaps the kids come from different socioeconomic backgrounds but we really do experience “one body in Christ.” Everything on and off the field is as respectful as it gets.

I’m so thankful God blessed Kanakuk with Kids Across America. We call KAA “the best thing that ever happened to Kanakuk Kamps.” Click the picture to see parts of the game!

Joe

June 29th 2010

Wow! How much can happen in one 24 hour day? Ski, sail, blob, canoe, tennis, kayak, fishing, swim, diving, S.C.U.B.A., K-Equip faith expedition, soccer, football, cheer, dance, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, softball, archery, Frisbee, and I’m exhausted trying to think of it all! By God’s grace all safely! What a wonderful day this was!!! I had great conversations with campers today.

We had a great morning session with the boys about purity and pornography. They were so so so attentive. Tonight I get to speak out under the stars about the scientific evidence for creation and “intelligent design.”

How much fun can camp life be? Thank you so much for our prayers! Click on the picture to see what our day looked like!

Joe

June 28, 2010

Can it get any better than this? Surely one of the most beautifully fine days I've ever seen. The only thing more beautiful are the smiles of all the faces. The second/ 3rd term kids have adjusted so quickly. We are cherishing everyday we get to spend with them!

Joe

June 27, 2010

A Kanakuk “Good Morning!” Sunday is the favorite day of the week for most K-2 Kampers. Is it the coffeecake (hand Made by Mary Anne for over 30 years)? Is it the fried chicken lunch, the beautiful outdoor lake view church, the Sunday afternoon “chill-lax” at the pool, the K-Life at night out under the stars or is it just kamp? I’m not sure but I agree with the kids. Sunday is the best!! Maybe this is just a little slice of what Goad has in mind when “on the seventh day He rested.”

2nd term is off to a great start. You sure do raise good kids! Click on the picture to see all the fun we had today!

Joe

june 26, 2010

Day 2

What a day! Pancakes, Sausage, Fruit Loops (or raisin bran or granola if you please!) O.J. and a whole lot of anticipation and excitement kicks off this beautiful Ozark day. This morning we did swim tests, Kamp clothing, and lots of “cabin bonding” games. This afternoon everyone went to their first five day sports groups and had 3 sessions of games or sports training.

From “Sun and Ski” to “K-Equip” to football, basketball, and soccer. Everyone made their own choices and today was the kickoff of their “schedule”. All I saw was lots of smiles and lots of friendships beginning.

Tonight was the western party and our opening tribal campfire.

A really good day with some really nice kids!

Joe

June 25, 2010

Opening Day

It was a wonderful beautiful Opening Day for 2nd (25 Day)/3rd (13 Day) term. The kids looked S-O-O-O-O excited to be here! (As were we.)

They came in to Kamp through out “lake gate” where they were immediately “whisked off” on wave runners and Ski Nautiques for a spin around the lake. Then a rip roaring introduction to their counselors, unpack, ride the zip line and waterslide, picnic, fill out sports preference schedules, K-Life, popsicles and good night!

Just another ho-hum day at K-2!
(See you tomorrow!) (Click on the picture to see all the fun we had today!)

Joe

June 24, 2010

A picture is worth 1,000 words. This picture, it says it all. First (25)/Second (13).

Best days of our lives. Unforgettable. Thank you for allowing us this amazing opportunity to build tomorrow’s Christian leaders.

Joe

June 23, 2010

Bill Lantz Memorial Pentathlon

This morning was our last specialty day of training. For the kids that came to play and “chill,” they enjoyed playing and chilling! For the kids who came to train in their favorite sport we went out with a bang. These kids are physically fit and they love to work hard. The “K-Equip” kids had their last study.

It was a splendid morning. This afternoon was the historic Bill Lantz Memorial Pentathlon. Almost everyone joins a team and the whole camp painted on their cabin slogans. While the girls teams dressed in unison with tie-dye shirts, hair bands, etc.

It was a great “icing on the cake” kind of day. Best term ever everybody says. Really outstanding kids. Very dedicated counselors.

Thank You, Lord!

Joe

June 22, 2010

If there’s been a better first term at Kanakuk Kamps I honestly can’t remember it. No one that I’ve talked to wants it to end. Today our football and basketball guys scrimmaged Kids Across America. A spirit of love, respect, and brotherhood prevailed. Kids from different socio-economic background but one body in Christ. You should have seen the respect and camaraderie.

Tonight was final tribal meetings and the election of new chiefs for next summer. We have some great young leaders blooming here. We believe it in them until they believe it in themselves.

Tomorrow the pentathlon and final campfire. Then a real sad adios. It has been wonderful!

Joe

June 21, 2010

As we approach the final days of the term "winding down” just isn’t something that happens here. These kids just keep “winding up” until the last second and we hit the wall head on! I love your kids’ attitudes and their hearts!!

Another really fun day. K-Life tonight made the foundation under their feet just a little bit thicker. We’re blessed to get to do this!

Joe

June 20th 2010

I’m 3rd Sunday

We call it the K-2 “Sunday Morning Moment” when you wake up and sink your teeth into a bite of warm Kamp Coffee Cake… The same homemade recipe that has had Kamp kids talking about it for over half a century. Maybe it’s the cinnamon sugar, maybe it’s the atmosphere of Kamp or maybe, just maybe it’s the love that Mary Anne, the head cook for the last 35 years pours into every batch.

I’m Third has been our guiding motto for almost all of our 85 years. “Uncle” Bill Lantz, the father of Kanakuk brought the motto and the I’m Third tack to Kamp in the 1930’s. I hope and pray today as I go out to meet your kids that they bring it home and live it out. “He who is last shall be first. Whoever wants to be great must be servant of all.” Jesus’ words make a good recipe for a happy home, don’t they? Prayerfully today god will open up the eyes of a lot of wonderful kids. Click on the picture to see all of the fun!

Joe

June 19 blog

I had a “quick and easy” cataract surgery and lens replacement just before Kamp started this summer. Surprise, Surprise! At age 61 working with high school kids for 39 years my world “looks” way too young for cataracts but, it was time.

The next day it was like someone used Windex on “the picture window of the world!” everything was so clear! So clean! So dazzling!

Then summer 2010 and this splendid K-2 staff arrives and then these truly marvelous kids. The new lens was more than a coincidence. This summer has been as beautiful as my new vision in every way. Last night at cross talk I’ve never seen as many kids so sincerely humble and desirous of living life well; living it right; trusting Him for guidance and grace. This has a really beautiful day at K-2! Click on the picture to check it out!

Joe

June 18th, 2010

Today was spectacular in every way. Tonight was Cross Talk. Lots and lots and lots of happy teens. I talked to one 17 year old boy today about his life back home…laced with disappointment in himself, a lot of rebellion, a lot of negative peer influence. But he’s such a nice young man. So much potential. So gifted in so many ways. Today he assured me he was going home a new man in Christ. Tonight he and a couple hundred others sealed those commitments. I hope you see what I see in your sons and daughters. Their hearts are good. They really want to get it right. Tonight they found a whole lot of grace to help them. Click on the picture to see what earlier today looked like!

Joe

June 17th,2010

Noah’s Ark Afterdark

We used to sing a sing at Kamp in the 50’s that said, “Oh it isn’t any trouble just to S-M-I-L-E.” We don’t sing it anymore but we do it a whole lot more around here it seems!

These kids you’ve entrusted us with are so good to be around! Almost zero troublesome issues among the kids. Our staff is leading so well. I’m proud of these young men!

One great counselor (a college football player) came up to me this morning and thanked me for how much Kamp was enriching his life. He pours himself out for the kids daily at K-2 football. The scriptural principle rings true “ cast out a few crumbs and you’ll get back the whole loaf.”

We get the “whole loaf” everyday here! Click on the picture to see the loads of fun we are having!

Joe

June 16, 2010

I’m continually amazed at the desire these K-2 teens have to learn and grow. I got a chance to speak to them tonight at K-Life. Their eyes are wide open. Their hearts are yearning for strength and for faith reinforcement.

Tomorrow morning I get to speak to the boys about why pornography is such a harmful “drug.” I seek to give them a vision for a lifetime of purity. Way down deep inside 90 – 99% of them really want that vision in their life. Their “world or information” via T.V., magazines, computers, peers, etc. just stomps the life out of their dreams. It leaves us great joy to be able to build inside braces to fight the outside pressures they face at home and in school.

Keep praying for their days here.

Joe

Click on the picture to see what we did today!

June 15, 2010

Ok, what would you do?

Football specialty, basketball specialty, soccer specialty, tennis specialty, dance specialty, volleyball specialty, tri athlete specialty, all around (a little bit of everything), baseball specialty, K-Equip (faith training), blob, sail, ski, wakeboard, treetops, K-Wet, K-Wild, wrestling, tumbling, swim, dive, scuba… Hmmm. Sound like a dilemma? How ‘bout writing a computer program to get each camper the schedule he/she desires? Well, that’s a “typical” day at K-2.

Today was just another one of those ho-hum “typical” K-2 days. Are you kidding? We had a blast today! As one kamp dad said, “It’s too good for kids!”

Thanks for letting us have so much fun! Click the picture to check it out!

Joe

World Tour Party

Venice? The Bahamas? Rome?

After a beautiful day of games galore, we took the afternoon and evening and "toured the world" and let our "travel agents" guide us into the sights and sounds of some of the world's most famous (and wet!) places!

The new Kampers are blending in quickly and really well. These kids are so happy to be here and so eager to make "Kamp friends" and grow in their faith. Every year I'm more amazed by how much these kids want to get away from negative peer pressure and pursue a life of purity with their minds, hearts and bodies. I'm proud of these K-2 kids! Click the pictures to see all the fun!

Joe

June 13, 2010 opening day

Welcome to 2nd 13 Day Term! A beautiful opening day for the new K-2 smiles to jump on the wave runners and ski nautiques and get a “wet” welcome to their new summer home!

Meanwhile the 25 day kids took a road trip to White Water when we rode water slide after water slide, ate some serious and played in the wave pool and lazy river. These kids are becoming such good friends and man do they know how to have fun!

What a great day this has been. Welcome new campers! K-Life tonight! Click on the picture to see today!

Joe

June 12, 2010

13 Day Adios

I hate saying goodbye! 13 days is just way too short! We had a super 1st term but man it’s hard to let them go! So many great friendships. So much incredible growth and change.

For 25 day kids it’s halftime! “Final 4” camp wide basketball tournament today. With Carnival tonight. White Water and Church tomorrow. Can’t wait to wake up in the morning! Click on the picture to see the tournament and carnival from today!

Joe

June 11, 2010

Hate to see it end!

I wish they all could stay 25 days! The end of the 1st term always comes too soon…these kids are going to leave a hole in our hearts…such a pleasure to be around…so good to know. Each day we all got closer.

For the 25 day kids its halftime! A trip to White Water on Sunday…relationships are deepening…foundations thickening…deep talks about important milestones. I love it out here at K-2. I wish the world’s kids could be here.

Joe

Click the picture to see all the fun here at K-2!

June 10, 2010

Colors

Today was colorful in every way! Big blue sky. Brown, green, blue, and hazel eyes dancing over their smiles all over K-2. Our “colors” party tonight was icing on the cake.

Last night the “bell was ringing” after K-Life. A colorful party in heaven I’m sure. Click the picture to see all of today!

Joe

June 9, 2010

Wednesday

“K-Life Tonight” is everyone’s favorite announcement at K-2. Tonight was “purity talk,” a night each term dedicated to an honest, thorough challenge for sexual purity with our eyes, our hearts, and our bodies.

Typically there is a vast majority of our kids who make or reaffirm their commitment to walking in integrity in this area of our lives. There were tears shed, lots and lots of grace understood and received for past mistakes and a vision cast for God’s plan for marriage without regrets.

I love the honesty and intentionality of these kids. They are precious treasures. Click on the picture to see the rest of the day!

Joe

June 8, 2010

2nd Tuesday

Super super day! Any teenager that is missing this is missing being with the greatest kids on earth! Man, I like this term’s kids! So today – gentle breeze – blue skies - really really upbeat kids. Every day we memorize a Bible verse. Today’s was appropriate, “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed accurately handling the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15. Its fun seeing kids get it!

Tonight was Party #2, the Galactica Spectacula. Lots of games, good food and “dancing” to clean music. Our dancing is basically everybody on the basketball court doing fun aerobic exercises to music. We don’t pair up, slow dance, etc but we do have fun! We want kids to see the best parties are substance free and peer pressure free.

It happens tonight in spade.

I appreciate your daily prayers.

Joe

Click on the pictures to see the rest of the day and the party!

june 7th

Monday

Can’t believe its “halftime” for our first 13 day term. Talk about time flying when you’re having fun! It has been often said, “It takes 21 days to make a habit.” Who knows but the longer we’re “in it” with these great kids, the thicker their foundations grow.

The first week is like a “trip to Disney”. The second week you can see these wonderful qualities develop and ripen and strengthen and fortify.

I really look forward to this week. Layers are peeling off and the light is shinning in!

K-2 football and basketball took a trip to Kids Across America for a delightful scrimmage. Different backgrounds maybe but one in Christ. KAA is an amazing place. We are better for having gone there today! Click on the picture to see how it went!

Joe

June 6 2010

June 6, 2010

First Sunday,

Out there “in the real world” Sunday may not be “the greatest day on earth” but here at K-2 it is. Ask the kids. I met with 70 bright-eyed campers this afternoon at “K-Equip” and asked them what best day at K-2 was… A day at K-Wet, K-Wild, White Water, “party day”, or Sunday. Each unique day got some votes but Sunday got over 50 votes.

We started with a leisurely coffee cake and scrambled egg buffet (I’m sure you’ve about Mary Anne’s coffee cake by now). Then a big strong college football player who had recently lost his dad spoke in church about appreciating your parents. This afternoon was kick back at the pool and water slides and tonight is tribal dodge ball (paint your faces)! The kids were (as we say) hyped! (Me too)! I like these first term kids!

Click on the picture to see what the day looked like!

Joe

June 5

First Saturday

Lots of smiles out there! Lots and lots of smiles. A ”photo guy” has the best job in the world! Especially here! Teaching “K-Equip” has been awesome! These kids hungry for “ammo” to stand strong in their faith, and share their faith, and fight for their faith is really an inspiration to me. These kids are so courageous, purposeful, and willing to put it all out there for what they believe is right.

Then getting to coach the football guys (K2U) like they were college players and watch them eat it up like candy is inspiration too. Lots of great one on one conversations with kids trying to get their hearts right back home is icing on the cake.

Finally, a respectful flag lowering and the Star-Spangled Banner. Can it get any better than this! These are great kids. Future leaders in the making!

Click on the picture to see what their day looked like!

Joe

June 4, 2010

Everybody is digging in - relationships are growing - faith is stretching - hearts are shaping - morals and values are getting better defined.

I spoke to the kids last night under a beautiful starry sky about the God who designed it all. Today I spoke frankly to the boys about the destructiveness of pornography. Their eyes and hearts were open and amazingly receptive.

What a bright group of kids. It was a beautiful day indeed! Click on the picture to see what happened the rest of the day!

Joe

Term 1 June 3

Day #3
A brisk shower last night midnight until six am then S-U-N-S-H-I-N-E!!

Skiing, sailing, blobbing, kayak, canoe, zip lines, water slide, soccer, tennis, dance, cheer, volleyball, football, weights, lifting, rollerblading, softball, swim, scuba diving, tumbling... really, not much to do here!

Grateful for the opportunity,

Joe White

By the way, check out Mary Anne’s giant homemade cinnamon rolls in one of today’s pictures and see why everybody is smiling! Click on the picture to see all the other pictures from today too!

Term 1 June 2

Today was a “beautiful day in the Ozarks” (as my dad used to say each morning for 35 years). Blue sky –lots of kamp cheers returning to the dining hall as our kampers adjust to their new “kamp life” and reacquaint with old friends and make new ones. Last night we talked about friendship…friendship that brings out the best in you, and the kids kept talking about how their kamp friends were their real friends; their faithful friends. This morning the kampers ran around with their cabins and played crazy games, “bonded,” and took cabin pictures. This afternoon everyone got into their “personalized” sports schedule and quickly cranked up to fun speed in the sports of their choosing. Tonight we had a “go country” party and finished with an opening campfire, where the new kampers were put into their tribe. Tonight we will sleep well! It’s been a super day! Click the picture to see more pictures from today!

Term 1 opening day

Day 1, what a day! If you can picture seven wave runners, three ski Nautiques, 100 exuberant counselors (after nine days of training… counting the minutes until the “kids” arrived), a super sunny day (with the exception of a 20 minute down pour), eight zip lines, one brand new waterslide and a bunch of teenagers most of whom have been counting the days until June 1 (as I have), then you can sense the happy faces behind these pictures. Thanks for loaning your most prized possessions with us. We feel blessed to get to “partner” with you in raising these great kids. Click on this picture to see more pictures of opening day!

Joe White

Opening Day!

Pictures will be up tonight!