From “I Could Never Do That” to Showing Up
Before Kids Outdoor Zone ever became what it is today, there wasn’t a grand vision or a well-thought-out strategy. There wasn’t even much confidence. In fact, there was a moment standing outside a youth room full of teenage boys thinking, “I could never do that.” The idea of leading, connecting, or even holding a conversation with teen boys felt overwhelming—like stepping into a world that didn’t make sense. There were no clear answers, no training, and no sense of being “ready.”
But God has a way of moving forward anyway.
From Uncertainty to Impact in Mentoring Boys Outdoors
Not long after, an opportunity came along—nothing fancy, just a small group of boys on a hog hunting trip. Somewhere between the dust, the laughter, and the quiet of the night, there was a sense that something more was supposed to happen. Sitting around a campfire, listening to the boys joke and talk among themselves, the same question kept coming up: “What in the world am I supposed to say?”
Looking back, the words themselves don’t even stand out. What stands out is the feeling—being unsure, out of place, and still choosing to stay. That’s really where KOZ began…not with perfect teaching or polished delivery, but with presence. Just a man sitting with some boys, willing to engage, willing to care.
That’s still the heart of KOZ today.
