KAA is short for Kids Across America; it is a sports based Christian Camp for students ages 9-19! The camp is located near Golden, MO - Branson is the nearest civilization and about 45 min. away. The camp is designed to cater to Urban Youth and Teens - we were there with groups from the inner-city areas of Chicago IL, Memphis TN, Tulsa OK, New Orleans LA, Houston TX, and West Palm Beach FL. KAA divides the students into 3 different groups based on age 9-12; 13-15; 16-19...I stayed with our students in the middle age group, we also took 5 other Adult leaders to stay in the camps with the students and a total of 29 kids. The students are with their Camp Counselors most of the week which freed me up to network with other Urban youth workers, find new resources/ tools for ministry, and deal with any BIG issues.
Some HIGHLIGHTS of the week -
* I got to see my students learn how to "Kruggie" - combination the dances krunk and Douggie; they did this in the middle of the dinning hall on a small stage if they lost their table block (they needed to carry this to get up from their tables) or if their side was not as HYPE as the the other side.
* A reflection of our ministry- we were the most racially diverse group at camp! I am fully convinced that heaven, unlike Sunday Mornings will not have segregation going on. It blessed my heart that we were able to take a group that was reflective of the Whole Body of Christ!
* I won a tee-shirt in a competition among the leaders....for having the craziest socks!
* Three of our students made a decision to follow Jesus after Cross Talk- many if not most repented of some sin and choose to walk more closely with the Lord.
* NOT ONE OF CI's STUDENTS MADE IT ON THE DISCIPLINE BOARD! Each morning leaders would have to check the discipline board to see if any of our students had issues the day before, students who were too unruly had to be removed from camp and sleep on the floor of the gym with their leader but for lesser offenses had to run, do push-ups, or extra KP .... our students were very well behaved. This fact was also reiterated when we, as leaders, had a time to meet with the Camp Counselors, for the most part our students got glowing remarks from their Camp shepherds.
*Branson Trip/ Dixieland Stampede - I know it doesn't sound cool, but they camp took all of the leaders into Branson and out to dinner at a themed restaurant, like Medieval Times for country folks....I wasn't to sure but it was awesome, good food crazy show!
* Cheers and Tripp Lee's "Robot" - The camp had a cheer or chant for everything and the loved to get "SUPER,MAD,CRAZY,HYPE" For the most part this was great...except for a non-morning person at breakfast it was a bit much...so I did not go to the dining hall for breakfast after the first day...just couldn't do it! They also played this song in the dining hall...it one the we "Kruggied" to!
* There were also trips to the hospital and extremely hot weather ...but PRAISE GOD - no serious injuries and we all made it home safe and sound!
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