#21 - Kanakuk

Thankful Challenge #21 - Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri are K-1, K-2, K-West, K-Kountry, K-Seven, and K-Kauai that together comprise Kanakuk Kamps.  These kamps (yep, lots of things at Kanakuk are spelled with a "k") have been hugely influential in my life and the lives of my girls.  I attended kamp as a kamper, counselor-in-training (also called an Osage), counselor, and kitchie (kitchen helper) in the 1980s and early 1990s.  Madison, Kinsley, and Mollie have grown up at kamp and begin counting down the days until it is time to return as soon as we leave each summer.  Not wanting to be left out :), I have gone to kamp as a health center helper nearly every summer the girls have attended.

Over the years people have asked Lee and me why we send our girls to camp halfway across the country. For us, our decision to send the girls to Kanakuk is centered on the ability of the staff there to combine faith and fun in a dynamic way that draws kids in and encourages their spiritual development in tangible ways. Our girls' self-confidence has soared as they have mastered athletic skills learned at kamp, and their faith has deepened as they have been been discipled by counselors who love Christ and striving to glorify him in their lives.

During this season of thankfulness, Lee and I are extremely grateful for the staff of Kanakuk Kamps that make kamp happen every summer!  We consider Kanakuk one of the best investments we have made for our girls.  We are confident that years from now when our girls look back on the summers of their childhood and teenage years, the times they spent at Kanakuk will be among the most treasured memories.  If you've never heard of Kanakuk, take a peek at the video below to see what makes this place so special!