To KAA…and Transformed Lives!

Why would anyone in their right mind load up a bus with 12 hyped-up kids at midnight, travel 685 miles over 13 hours to arrive at a place in the middle of nowhere? Jim and Cheryl Strang of Colorado Springs, Colorado know the reason. For 16 years they have provided the funds for our kids to attend Kids Across America (KAA) camp near Branson, Missouri.  Here’s why we do it:

• Donnie* said he accepted Christ once. He said he has done too many bad things and doesn’t feel saved. Someone told him that Christians sin, and there is a solution in the Bible, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. He prayed to recommit his life to Christ.
• Patsy* is 10 years old. Eight days at KAA of experiencing unconditional love caused her to ask questions about salvation. One of our staff answered her questions. Patsy prayed to receive Christ.
• After reaffirming her relationship with Christ at KAA, 18-year old Melissa* showed a younger girl the plan of salvation in the Bible and prayed with her to be saved.

The 13-hour drive to camp dampened the kids’ initial enthusiasm. When camp counselors got on the bus chanting loudly, “We want the campers! ” one of our youth said, “I am not getting off the bus! I want to go home!” With a little coaxing, they did get off. Several determined they would not enjoy the week  - not knowing what impact the week would have.

Now they were in the capable hands of carefully selected, well-trained and dedicated college-aged counselors. At the orientation session, each camper was assigned to a cabin with 11 other youth from across America – places as near as Branson and as far away as Chicago, Houston, and Miami.

What is this place where we take our kids to enjoy eight life-changing days of Christ-centered excitement? It is a place where an environment is created for campers to take in new experiences and have the opportunity to come to know the Lord in a personal way. Campers are challenged spiritually and given practical ways to live out their faith when they return home. This is accomplished through daily Bible studies, church services and faith-building talks.

Everywhere you look, young people are participating in classes chosen from more than 20 different competitive sports and recreational activities, including basketball, football, baseball, soccer, mountain biking, archery, golf, women’s self defense, and many others. Youth also participate in self-esteem building activities like a high-adventure ropes course in the tree tops and the challenge course.

Just imagine standing in the middle of all this activity.  Close your eyes for a minute and listen. What do you hear? Teens laughing together. The shouts of the counselors encouraging the young people, challenging them to be their best and do their best.  And the music! Loud, urban contemporary Christian music with a beat that just makes you want to dance! Designed from the ground up with teens in mind, KAA is an exciting, challenging escape from the humdrum of just another boring summer. Each year our goal is to bring our kids to this amazing camp. It helps us to fulfill our commitment of transforming the life of each child God sends our way through competent and holistic intervention in five key areas: spiritually, physically, intellectually, relationally and emotionally. Kids Across America is one of the tools we use to achieve this commitment.

On Day 4 of camp, the atmosphere becomes more subdued in preparation for “Cross Talk”, a dramatic graphic depiction of what Christ endured before and leading up to His crucifixion. Each camp presents a different drama based on a child’s ability to understand. Following the drama, the Director of each camp offers a clear presentation of the gospel. By the end of camp, all of our young people had made decisions - five had prayed to receive Christ and seven rededicated their lives.

So, why would anyone in their right mind load up a bus with 12 excited kids ages 10-18 and travel 600+ miles through the midnight hours to go to a place in the middle of nowhere? In the words of one of the cheers kids learn at camp, say it real loud, “K - A- Aaaaa…U know!