The Journey

It's A KIVU Christmas

Many of you are planning on waking up at some strange hour tomorrow morning to get the greatest deals on the hottest gifts for the Christmas season. 

From year to year I watch as people go into a heard mentality to pick up a t.v, an iPod, or the latest toy Hasbro has for us to consume.

Here at KIVU, we've got a gift for you.
You don't have to wake up at 3:30 am, to plow people over.
And this gift, is one that will set your teenager, or teens in your community, on a track for spiritual success.

This season, you can give your teen 13 days in the beautiful Colorado Mountains at Camp KIVU.  Our goal is to provide an excellence in camping, coupled with a foundational look at the Christian Worldview.  Over the last 10 years we have developed a community of believers from around the world that are beginning to understand what they believe, why they believe it, AND they are able to articulate their faith to others in their community.

We White Water Raft
Mountain Bike
Rock Climb
Back Pack
Fly-Fish
Endurance Sports
All as a vehicle to develop a generation strong in their faith, and in their community.

If you'd like to give a student 13-18 years old, a foundation of faith that will last a lifetime.

1.  Go over to our website at Camp KIVU

2.  Click on the registration link

3.  Put down a deposit to hold your spot for the specific dates you're interested in attending.

And that's it....You're in.

4.  Then click on the lower left hand side of this Blog where it says, download Christmas KIVU Pdf, and print out the greatest stocking stuffer you can give your family.

If you'll call our registration department, we'll provide a T-shirt, and a coffee mug for you to give away during your Christmas season.  (limited to those who sign up from now till December 15)

Come join us this summer 2010.  It's sure to be our greatest summer EVER!!

Summertime Seems So Far Away

I know it seems like summer is another life away.  With snow falling all around us here in Colorado, it's hard to think that soon after the holidays, the summer's coming.

We, here at Camp KIVU, are in the middle of traveling around the country, sharing the vision of helping teenagers navigate the hardest years of their life; and we are seeing some wonderful families who believe in what we're doing.

Enrollment is growing day by day, and soon, we'll not only be looking down the barrel of winter, but the snow will be melting, the trees will be flush and green, and the sounds of teenagers enjoying the outdoors will be filling the camp.

Thanks to all you guys who are believing in our mission.
Thanks to all of the families who are hosting our travels.

We are so thankful that God has given us the platform to love teens from around the world. 

If you're interested in coming to share 13 days of your summer with us, be sure to click on the picture above, and go the Registration screen.  It's fast, it's easy, and you can reserve your spot today. 

We're well on our way to filling up our cabins for the summer 2010, and if you're like me, you won't want to miss out on the most fun summer we've ever had.

It's only a few months away, and we're excited to share our life with you.

KIVU staff at Baylor

KIVU Rocks in Waco

The KIVU Gap Year

Is your student ready to go off to college after their Senior Year?

Harvard says no.
Princeton says no.
Yale says no.
Most of the European Union says they would prefer a gap year.
Most of our Asian friends are catching on.
And those in Australia are calling it a 'Walk About.'

With more and more students who show up to the University campus, giving up on their faith, we're seeing high school students who just need a little more life experience to prepare them for the onslaught of pressures most college students are enduring today.  

Do they need more class?

Do they need better study habits?

Do they need more projects and team building?

Most experts agree...NO!

It's even our observation here at KIVU, that high school students are going off to college without any direction. Going off to college has become the thing they do when they get out of high school because they're supposed to get a degree, make sure they get good grades, so they can go and get a good job, and achieve the American Dream.

But as we see graduating classes going off to attend the academy, we're also watching more students struggle through alcoholism, failing grades, introduction to early sexuality, and ultimately they wind up wasting their first semester just adjusting. 

Well, what if we could provide a place where students might have a chance to explore the gifts God gave them, hone their interests, and experience the world with a little more direction, without risking all the time and money we're shoveling to Universities today?

Welcome to the KIVU Gap Year.

In the Fall of 2010, we are introducing a state of the art program that will help your student know where they are gifted.  We want to expand their boundaries, so when they do go to the Academy, they'll have a little more understanding for 'why' they're going.

If you're student wants to be a doctor, how much more incentive will they have if they've already worked in a clinic?
If they want to be a business person, how much more will they understand the reason for macro-economics if they've worked in a business already?
If they want to be in the realm of international relations, wouldn't it be prudent to show them the world a bit?

For years, parents have asked me to start a school to help train students in the Christian Worldview, while giving them practical training.  Well, wait no more.

The KIVU gap year will help students...
Be exposed to emerging markets
Understand health care in a variety of arenas
Work closely with world business leaders
Get a taste of non-profit work around the world, and
Carefully examine some of the most pressing issues in our world today
All the while, they contextualize these experiences in the basics of the Christian Worldview

No more 'boring' classroom lectures
No more 'hype'
No more simple cerebral understanding

No, we want to give kids a hands on experience whereby they can share their faith for a lifetime of ministry, no matter what they want to become in life.

Keep watching here at andybraner.com, as we release the details.  Right now we are working on college credit, housing, teachers, and partnerships in order to provide a program that will prepare high school students to sit in their freshman classes with clear direction for their future.

Still not convinced?  Just read the latest NewsWeek Article on the  necessity to get kids out of the classroom for a bit so they don't turn into cookie cutter citizens, but rather; allow them to blossom into all that God has called them to be. 

I CANT WAIT for this program to start, as we continue providing a place for students to mature at KIVU!!

Here we Go Wacky Waco!! KIVU is on the way

Here we come WACO!!  KIVU is make the inaugural trip down to my old Alma Mater.  WOW!! It's been 9 years since I've been back to Baylor University, and I'm pumped.

We started this trip in Jacksonville, Florida, and since then; we've been all over the state of Oklahoma. 

Tonight, all the K-Colorado/KIVU folks are going to meet up and have a little reunion, and then next week, we're off to Kansas City/Columbia.

We'd love to sit and have coffee with you
Go watch a game or two
Or just worship at your place on Sunday.

E-mail me, and let me know if you have some time.  We'll have a few events, but would love to catch up with our little KIVU family.

God bless....hope to see you soon!

Come join the KIVU family

KIVU Video Release Week

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are releasing a video everyday this week to show you the KIVU program guys at their finest.  If you'd like to see what all is going down, be sure to check out our YouTube channel at KIVU YouTube and you'll be ushered into an unbelievable experience.  

It's so fun to re-cap all that happened over the summer, so if you're a KIVU camper, or just someone wanting a taste and feel of KIVU, come join the fun.

If you want to join us next summer...

1.  You have to be 13-18 years old (sorry mom and dad)

2.  You have to want to HAVE FUN!

3.  You have to want to meet people from all over the world.

4.  You have to REGISTER SOON.  Our terms are filling up fast, so if you think you might want to spend a while out here in Durango Colorado Be sure to check out the website at The KIVU website.

Just click on the links in this article, and they'll take you right there.

Until then...here's a little preview of some cool things coming down the pike.

An Old Chapter Closes, and a New One Begins

On Tuesday and old chapter closes in my life.  Since the Spring of 1997, I have served Kanakuk Kamps in various positions, lived in Branson Missouri, and had a wonderful community of friends to rally around in Southwest Missouri.  But as everything that has a beginning must eventually come to an end, this chapter is turning the page to a new adventure that is filled with wonderful potential. 

I've thought through my time at Kanakuk over the last few months, thankful for all the friends, co-workers, and education I received at my time there.  Kanakuk's commitment to excellence is second to none.  The organization has a relentless pursuit for And Exciting Adventure in Christian Athletics; and I still believe it's the best sport camping in the country.  They have a deep desire to train athletes, and to give wonderful spiritual mentorship to students age 7-18.  Check them out online, and see from a web perspective at http://www.kanakuk.com.

But Tuesday is the beginning of a new adventure.

Jamie Jo and I are embarking in a ministry called KIVU.  We have a desire to continue mentoring teenagers, expose them to cultures around the world, and keep a program dedicated to helping students figure out how to understand what they believe, why they believe it, and how to incorporate their worldview in practical pragmatic ways. 

Our first step is to maintain our place out in Durango Colorado.  We'll call it KIVU Colorado, and we want to keep encouraging teenagers interested in the outdoors.  We'll keep pursuing excellence in backpacking, rock climbing, river rafting, fly fishing, and all the Colorado sports; all the while teaching students the importance of incorporating faith in all areas of their lives. 

The Vision for new camps, international partnerships, a gap year, and extreme mountaineering will fuel this next phase of ministry, and I couldn't be more excited. 

The initial team is in place.
Our goals are ready to be executed.
And the ministry that happens....well it will continue to be reminiscent of the core values Kanakuk has trained us with.

Thanks for your prayers as we start this new venture.  All of us here at Camp KIVU are so blessed to have friends like you.

God bless you today!!

The EXPEDITION is climbing new Heights in 2010

For the last five years, we've been taking teenagers on extended hiking and rock climbing trips in the wilderness.  They go through some of the most beautiful parts of Colorado, to learn basic leadership skills, team building, and let's be honest; they have a chance to see God's creation first hand.  http://www.the-expedition.com

Our vision is to develop an outdoor program that incorporates the creator with the creation, unlike many other leadership training organizations that forget, "In The beginning, GOD..."

So, if you're interested in joining us out in the wilderness for a five day backpack trip, or; you want to learn how to climb BIG rock routes in Moab, Utah; then be sure to sign up for THE EXPEDITION at http://www.campkivu.com. 

KIVU is rolling.  We're almost 40% ahead in enrollment from this point last year, so 2010 is sure to be an exciting adventure in the outdoors.  We'd love to have you out!!

Making New Friends At Camp, From All Over The World

So, one of my buddies called me this year and said, "hey, I want my nephews to come out and learn about faith, and Christian community."  Of course I was pumped to have the two boys out, as I am with most any teenager from around the world.  "You think they'll be able to come at the end of the summer?" he asked. 

Of course. 

We have kids out here from Hong Kong, Barcelona, London, Dallas, all here right now for 6th term.  It's an awesome mix of kids. 

"You should look up my nephews on the internet." he told me

So last night I looked them up on their recent Fuel TV special.  Check this out!!

Surf camp anyone?

High Flying Here in Our Transition to KIVU

I'm trying to keep up with the requests for information about KIVU, and I'm sorry If I haven't gotten the details out for you recently.  Our camp out here in Colorado is finishing strong, and our transition out to the new camp (as seen on http://www.campkivu.com) is going awesome.  Our final term, term 6, is out here now, and I'm telling you, we are having an absolute BLAST!!

As for KIVU next summer, We just got a pledge for the paintball course we'll be building in the fall.  So hopefully, we'll have a full functioning paintball facility by summer 2010.  We're still looking for a few donors for our water park vision, but we know if God is in it, He'll provide. 

Speaking of 2010, the registration is going gang busters so far.  As of today we're now up almost 25% in our registration for next summer as compared to last.  The 5th term families have gone home now, and they are rocking the enrollment numbers, as usual. 5th Term is usually the fastest term to fill up during the summer, for some reason; so we're excited about what the future holds, to say the least.

And, don't forget to sign up for a free online profile.  We've got a whole social networking component to our site, http://www.campkivu.com, and we've got over 450 registered profile users from this summer.  There's a ton of videos going up, new pictures almost every day, and kids are having a BLAST staying in touch with old friends, and meeting new ones. 

All in all, it's already a whirlwind of a project, but God is providing strength and wisdom as we go forward.

By the way, we have just sketched out a winter tour to travel to cities all over the U.S. this year.  If you'd like to be on that tour, please don't hesitate to contact me at andy@campkivu.com, and we'll make sure we try to hit a town near you.  I'll be speaking, signing books, and throwing dinners all over the U.S. for people interested in learning more about a new adventure for teenagers.  So don't hesitate to let me know if you'd like to be involved.

We're having so much fun out here, I wish you could join us!!  Go to the website and be sure to reserve your spot for next summer!!

Just Ended 5th Term, Get Ready World!!

Our 5th term is finished, and we're on to welcoming the new teenagers from all over the world.  WOW...what a group of kids!!

It's so fun to be a part of a ministry that encourages teenagers to find their own specific God given gifts, and go out to change to the world when they leave  I hugged so many teenagers today, and with tears in their eyes, they committed to helping make their community more like what they experienced here. 

And..after our parent meeting last night, we had several folks commit to helping on the professional level, the financial level, or even the marketing level of the transfer from Kanakuk Colorado to KIVU.  (http://www.campkivu.com) 

Thanks for praying.  We're sad to see the 5th term kids leave, but we're so excited to have another chance to spread God's love to a new term full of teenagers. 

God bless today!!  I'll keep you updated!

And Tonight We Sing

Lord I want more of you
Living water Rain down on me
Lord I need more of you
Living breathe of life come fill me up

We are Hungry
We are Hungry
We are Hungry for more of you

We are thirsty, Oh Jesus
We are thirsty for more of you!!

We lift our holy hands up
We want to touch you
We lift our voices higher and higher and higher to you

(300 teenagers all singing together.  You need to be here.)

It's official...KIVU is the real deal!

I got so excited just a minute ago, I had to post something about it. 

I just check the numbers for next year's enrollment out here at Camp KIVU, and once again, God has continued to bless this place.  We are ahead of our enrollment from last year already, and we haven't even finished the 2009 camp season yet.  WHAT A DEAL!!

The terms are starting to fill up fast, as the buzz is out. 

So, go ahead and feel free to check out the website.  We've got over 400 registered users on the community site, and teenagers from around the world are starting to connect with their own photos, their own videos, and they're starting to have REAL discussions about faith, RIGHT ONLINE.

Come join us for an awesome 2010 summer if you have the chance, but if not, sit back and join the conversations going on as we try to pinpoint teenagers and their gifts in light of the Christian Worldview. 

Thanks so much for your prayers, and thanks for believing in a place that has the potential to change the course of the next generation.

God bless!!

Another Great KIVU Response

It's always such an honor to share with our parents about the upcoming changes out here in Durango.  Next year, Jamie Jo and I are launching a brand new adventure called KIVU. 

Our website is up and running, and it couples a social networking platform with all the registration, videos, photos, and forums you come to expect from a cyber neighborhood.  It's really easy to use.

1.) You can sign up for a free profile, where you can upload your own media to your own site.  You can connect with friends, start conversations about spiritual things, or just sit back and watch as teenagers create the most interesting groups to be a part of.  The best thing is ITS ALL FREE!!

2.)  If you're interested in being a part of the new movement, you can register online for 2010 and reserve a spot.  You don't have to pay the tuition in full, but if you know of a teenager who's interested in being a part of a 'change the world' movement, under the banner of the Christian Worldview, make sure you sign them up.  2010 is sure to be an exciting summer.

3.)  The Community section at the top has a place where we can start a Forum of discussion.  You're more than welcome to ask questions, give answers, or just connect with people who are thinking about the same issues ass you are. 

All in all, when I presented this idea to the parents last night, they were so excited!! 

We'll be continuing to make sure KIVU is a place where teenagers, college students, and parents can come to find answers about the deepest truths of the faith.  And, we are committed to have fun all along the way!! 

Come join us.  Click on the icon above, and you'll be directed to the site.  See you there!!

Last Day of 4th Term

Community Service Day

REGISTRATION for KIVU

I just checked the registration numbers for Camp KIVU next summer.  It's official we're going to have every term open and running.  It's awesome to watch teenagers run home and make it a priority to reserve their place in this little slice of paradise out here in Durango Colorado.

If you're interested in joining us, don't hesitate.  We're tracking with the same registration as the Kanakuk Colorado numbers from last year.  Get on the site, and reserve YOUR spot at http://www.campkivu.com. 

I love this place, and I'm so glad there are teenagers out there who love it as much as I do. 

God bless, and see you next summer. 

KIVU...

This morning, we're having a family meeting. 

I get the whole camp in our 'state of the art' teaching facility, and we're revealing all the new changes that are coming down the pike out here at our Durango Location. 

It's so exciting to watch them catch the vision, and come be a part of what we're doing all over the world, and I love seeing them connect when we talk about our online component. 

Not only can they see pictures and videos...
They can create their own place to connect with friends from camp.
They can have a forum of discussion about the most important issues they're dealing with.
They can upload their own media.
AND....
They can register online for our mission trips, and our camps next summer.
(by the way, we're ahead of enrollment for KIVU 2010, so be sure to reserve your spot if you want to come join us.)

What a thrill.  God is so good. 

If you'd like, go ahead and click on the KIVU banner at the top of the page, and you'll be re-directed to our website.  If you'd like to make a profile, and join the conversation, come on over.  It's free, and you're more than welcome to be a part of what's going on here. 

For, we are not a people who are building a kingdom of hay and straw...but we are a people interested in taking part in building the Kingdom of God, with Jesus at the head. 

God bless you!

Giving Teenagers Responsibility

Remember going to summer camp, or a retreat with your church, or some kind of meeting that built up to the last day?  Well, camping for decades, has a through line...a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

Welcome to camp...let's have fun...THE BEGINNING.
Let's do stuff...going out on all the activities....THE MIDDLE
Alter call...come to the cross...THE END

It's been functioning like that for so many years, I think teenagers are tired.  They're tired of the same old process.  They smell through the programs we think are cool, and they want something fresh and different. 

That's why, we've decided to hand over the reigns, and let teenagers have responsibility.

We've told the teens here at K-Colorado, it's up to you!  If you want to have fun, it will be up to you.  We've provided all the coolest 'stuff' and 'staff' and now it's time for you to step to the plate and invest a little of your life in this place. 

The beginning then becomes a little more about getting to know each other.
The middle is about developing community and understanding how to live with each other.
And the end...well, it's up to them.

I give the oldest students the opportunity to develop a program where they can share their hearts with the rest of the camp.  It's THEIR NIGHT.  I tell them I'll help however they need, but for the most part, it's up to them.

And what I find is, teenagers rise to responsibility.  If we cater to them all their lives, they never have the chance to grow up and express the gifts God specifically gave them.  It's almost like we're keeping them from working through their own way to tell the world, "Here I am."  We've protected to almost a fault.

But....

When they get a little responsibility, and have the chance to express...Well, GREAT THINGS have happened here at this place in Durango, because students were at the helm of leadership. 

Hanging With Friends Seems to be the Summer Pastime

According to the poll on the right, it seems like most of you are enjoying hanging out with friends this summer.  It's exactly how it should be!  I mean, we were created to be together, right? 

It was Genesis 2 when God said, "It is good that man not be alone." And that was the beginning of humanity and society as we know it. 

Check out this picture. 

Would you want to hang with your friends here?

KIVU, the new Phenomenon

The newest camp phenomenon is on the way, Camp KIVU.  Formerly known as Kanakuk Colorado, Camp Kivu is already up and running and taking registrations for 2010.  It's amazing to see God work in such an amazing time.  With the economy down, and people wondering what is really going to happen this next year, parents and teenagers are already putting their money down for an unbelievable experience in 2010. 

As we created the website, the obvious piece was online registration.  So if you want to come out and experience the beauty of Colorado in the summertime while it's 110 degrees at home; you can click on our registration page and reserve a spot.  But I wanted more.

I wanted to make sure there was a place for an online community to grow, so we incorporated much of the functionality of Facebook, and Twitter into the site.  I wanted a place where students, parents, college students, and whoever wants to be a part of the online discussion, can create their own profile, and start talking together. 

You can create groups, upload your favorite photos, link your favorite videos, or even upload your home creations right there on your own profile. 

The site has been up about 4 weeks, and we've already had a number of profiles made, SEVERAL people already reserving their spot for 2010, and a host of online discussions already beginning. 

I'm so thankful!!
Thankful to be  part of something that is going to last.
Thankful to be a part of helping families understand the Christian Worldview, and how to act on those principles in REAL LIFE.
Thankful to have a staff dedicated to the mission.
Thankful for God's grace.

It's an awesome ride, as we've already watched over 1300 people join our facebook group.

So, if you're looking for a place to relax in the summertime out here in cool Colorado...
Or, you're just interested in having a place online where we can have some fun talking about REAL FAITH issues...
Come on by http://www.campkivu.com. 

You'll be glad you did.