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For Boys Ages 8-18
Today, over 40% of the boys in our nation do not have a dad living at home. The lack of this male role model has created a dramatic increase in drug use, school drop-out, pregnancy, and more. The average kid also spends 40 minutes a week outside, 70 hours in front of a screen. This trend is creating an unhealthy mental, physical, and spiritual population among our boys today. It is at catastrophic levels. However, every socioeconomic, health, and mental statistic improves substantially when a boy receives a mentor.
Boys are drawn in by the outdoor adventure and training by an adult man. Every boy truly is “Wild at Heart.” This internal longing fits perfectly with the KOZ program.
The KOZ leader’s ability to share the love of Jesus and a Heavenly Father changes the boys. In an outdoor setting boys are more attentive and can focus on the time with their KOZ leader and the gift of knowing Jesus.
The KOZ training dives deep into all these elements of ministry for the men of the church and the boys of our world.
SCRIPTURAL MANDATE. Proverbs 22:6, Psalms 68:5, Psalms 82:3, Deut. 27:19, Psalms 146:9, James 1:27, James 2:14-17, 2 Tim 2:2, Matt. 28:19-20, Psalms 145:4
KOZ Session Log
Session Log #1 | January 16, 2021
Skills Lesson: At our first KOZ meeting on January 16, everyone learned about survival skills. We specifically learned about knife safety, whittling sticks, fire safety, and how to start a fire with flint and steel. The boys had an opportunity to show off their newly learned skills in a race to see who could build a fire that would burn through a string that was about a foot off the ground.
Life Lesson: In order to be able to survive in the outdoors, we need a lot of wisdom. You have to know how to provide shelter, food, and water for yourself. Not only do we need wisdom in order to survive in the outdoors, we need wisdom in order to survive, and ultimately thrive, in life. We talked about King Solomon from God’s Word, and how when he had the opportunity to ask God for anything, he chose to ask God for wisdom.
Memorable Quote of the Day: “Are we doing this every Saturday?!?”
Session Log #2 | February 20, 2021
Skills Lesson: This month’s theme was “Gear Head.” We had two local mechanics join us to give our KOZ boys some experience under the hood and around a vehicle. Highlights included a 2-man pit crew competition to jack a truck, remove a tire, replace the tire, and lower the jack. The big idea was to learn the importance of how to take care of our gear so it will last longer and be ready to use each time we need it.
Life Lesson: God’s word tells us to “do everything without arguing or complaining.” Being responsible, doing boring chores, or taking care of our gear are some things we might be tempted to complain or argue about. It’s important for us to learn that there is great value in doing all things, and do them to the glory of God.
Highlight of the Day: The boys who arrived the earliest got to start the campfire using only flint and steel that they learned about last month!
Session Log #3 | March 13, 2021
Skills Lesson: This month was “Big Hooks and Big Time Fishing.” We ventured off campus to a private pond in Powhatan where we learned how to tie fishing knots, bait hooks, and catch fish! It was a little early in the fishing season to catch many fish, but we didn’t get skunked as you can see in the pictures below.
Life Lesson: We use different kind of fishing lures to “lure” fish into “taking the bait.” We have an enemy, Satan, who will use all kinds of “lures” and temptations to draw us away from God. We must be ready to know what God’s best is for our lives and have the wisdom to chose God’s ways rather than be lured to our own demise by our enemies tactics.
Memorable Quote of the Day: “Yes. That is a giant dead beaver!”
Session Log #4 | April 10, 2021
Skills Lesson: This month’s theme was “Turkey Hunting and Camp.” We experimented with several different types of turkey calls and learned about the importance of camouflage in hunting. We had a game of “sardines” in the woods (reverse hide and seek) to see who could find one of our leaders camouflaged in the woods. Additionally, we set up a BB gun range and began learning about some gun safety.
From God’s Word: Sometimes we try to “camouflage” what is happening in our hearts by the things we wear or by our actions and attitudes. Instead of dealing with what in happening in our heart/soul, we conceal it thinking we are protecting ourselves. God loves us no matter how we dress our bodies, or cover up what is happening in our heart. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and give us a new heart if we will believe on Him and receive Him into our lives.
KOZ Unofficial Mascot: Pastor Mike’s dog “Pepper” is the unofficial KOZ mascot. She is (more or less) the only female who is allowed at most KOZ outings (pictured below).
Session Log #5 | May 15, 2021
Skills Lesson: May’s theme was “Edible Wild” and we used this month to learn a variety of skills. In addition to discussion about how to to find and what can be eaten in a survival situation, we took time to hone our wood chopping skills, cooked “hobo packs” over the fire pit, and dug holes in which we cemented our our flag poles.
Truth from God’s Word: Like we can identify plants by certain features, people are identified by their actions and choices. It’s important that we represent ourselves well, our families well, and faith well. No one is going to be perfect, but if we are following hard after God, our choices should be aligning with Him and His ways.
Highlight of the Day: Watching the boys getting better and better splitting wood with each swing of the ax.
Session Log #6 | June 12, 2021
Skills Lesson: This month Kid's Outdoor Zone went INDOORS for “Savage Beasts and Prey” month. In preparation for our July outing to a gun range, this month’s focus was on gun safety. Our KOZ leaders did a great job teaching the boys about a variety of guns and how use them properly and safely. After the lesson, the boys competed to see who could disassemble and reassemble a rifle the quickest. Following gun safety, we welcomed guest speaker Henry Baskerville (and friends) from Cavalier Sporting Clays to share about his many expeditions in Africa. Henry has led numerous hunting expeditions to harvest all kinds of beasts of prey. Henry brought many examples of taxidermies he has collected over the years from his trips.
From God’s Word: Just like there are predators in the wild, there are predators among us as well. Sometimes they come disguised in “sheep’s clothing.” We have to learn to protect our selves from falsehood and false teachers by knowing the truth. God’s word is truth. When we know what God says, it is easy to identify counterfeit truth.
Unique Moment of the Day: One of the associates Henry Baskerville brought with him shared the story of how, as an impetuous five year old, she broke protocol and ran up to and hugged the Queen of England. For those of us to touched her, we can all now say, “I’ve touched someone who touched the Queen of England!”
Session Log #7 | July 17, 2021
Skills Lesson: The theme in July was “Guns, guns, guns!” Following our safety course in June, we took the boys out into the woods for several hours of shooting. The boys got a chance to shoot .22 rifles, a 20 gauge shotgun, and a variety of pistols. This was a first for most of the boys and a great opportunity to continue teaching them safety, responsibility, and respect with regards to firearms.
Scripture: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
KOZ: To learn any lesson you need a teacher or mentor. God sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus left to be with everyone who prayed for Christ in their heart. He is our helper when we are trying to learn about Christ. Do you know Him? The Holy Spirit can be hard to understand but His true mission is to help you stay connected to Jesus. Learning about the bible, Christ, the Holy Spirit can take a while but then learning each caliber of gun or how to shoot really well can too.
Highlight of the Day: There is something very satisfying about seeing a young man take on a new challenge like shooting a rifle for the first time, or overcoming the fear of the “kick” of a shotgun. And some of us also learned the valuable lesson of not forgetting to put on bug spray out in a field and what “chiggers” are.
Session Log #8 | August 6, 2021
Skills Lesson: August was all about “Wet and Wild Things Outdoors.” This month we took our first campout by Lake Gaston and spent that night and the next day on lake - fishing, swimming, boating, tubing, knee boarding, etc. Our KOZers got to pitch tents, sleep through a rainy night, and, for many, experience a lot of “firsts” out on the water.
Scripture: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” Acts 22:16
KOZ: Water is crucial to so much of our lives. Water impacts our lives in so many ways. Water shows up in the Bible in numerous place, but none more important than in baptism. Baptism is a way we show other people that we have asked Christ to take away our sins, that we have asked Him into our hearts. That we have been washed of our old life and been born again new.
Highlight of the Day: Like last month, there is so much satisfaction in seeing young men overcome challenges and fears. Life is hard, and we need to face our fears. For some, that is jumping off a second story dock and plunging into the water below. For others, it learning a new and difficult trick on the knee board. For others, it’s holding on for dear life as Pastor Tuck tries to send you flying out of the tube and into the lake!
Session Log #9 | September 11, 2021
Skills Lesson: September was “For the Birds” as we tuned in to God’s creation of the birds of the air. God calls us to be good stewards of the earth, and that includes having an awareness of our fowl friends and how to manage, care for, and protect them. This month we built birdhouses and used a wood burning tool for each KOZer to brand their birdhouse with thier own unique design.
Scripture: “And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:20
KOZ: Birds are amazing creatures. All of creation was given to us by God to oversee and manage. God gave birds feathers so that they can catch wind like a kite and at the same time insulate their bodies from the cold. The inner feathers are called down feathers and we even use them to make pillows. There are literally thousands of feathers on a single bird! God made this beauty and complexity for us to enjoy. We can enjoy watching them and harvesting to eat them. No matter what our own appreciation for birds are, they areGod’s creation.
There is another verse in the bible about birds: “Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sownor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value thanthey?”
Can you see that God takes care of the birds? As important as they are to Him, you are even more important!That’s right! God loves you and wants to take care of you. He has a plan for your life, a mission for your heart.Enjoy God’s creation today and the rest of your life. He created it for you!
Highlight of the Day: We had two new boys join us at KOZ this month and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Session Log #10 | October 9, 2021
Skills Lesson: October’s theme was “Bow Madness!” This month we learned about bow hunting, built our own arrows, and practice our bow skills on the range.
Scripture: But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
KOZ: When an archer misses his mark, it is called a “sin.” It is a good illustration about sin in our lives. We take aim to do well, but often miss the target God has for us. So we all have sin in our lives. And that is part of what makes the gospel (the good news about Jesus) so amazing: God loves even though He knows we are going to sin! And that Jesus paid for our sins when we didn’t deserve it.
Highlight of the Day: Our homemade arrows might not have been as accurate as the manufactured one, but they still hit the target!
Session Log #11 | November 20, 2021
Skills Lesson: November’s theme was “Deer Hunting, period!” This month our KOZers learned about some of the basics of deer hunting, how a tree stand works, how to look for signs of deer in the woods and how to follow a blood trail of a fleeing deer.
Scripture: But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
KOZ: Hunting a deer takes patience. We have to use all our senses. Like in our scripture verse this month, we have to look for, wait for, and eventually hear the deer. This is very similar to what it is like to wait on God in prayer. We look to and for Him. We wait quietly for Him. And, in His time, we will hear from Him. And when it comes to our prayer requests, God can answer in one of three ways: yes, no, or not now.
Highlight of the Day: Overheard from KOZer’s conversation: I wish we had KOZ every day. It’s better than an education!
Session Log #12 | March 19, 2022
Skills Lesson: March’s theme was “Conservation” This month our KOZers learned about how Conservation and how it is our duty as hunters and fishermen to treat nature with respect when we harvest game. This month we we had a special guest join us to speak with the boys - Chesterfield Conservation Officer, John Hart.
Scripture: God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:28
KOZ: As outdoorsmen, we are responsible for the conservation of the wildlife resources we encounter daily. This month’s verse explains how God has placed the responsibility of ruling over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky. The best way we can have dominion over the creatures of the earth is by showing respect to God’s creation and learning proper conservation practices. God has blessed us with abundant wildlife resources, and conservation is the only way we can pass on these blessings to future generations.
Highlight of the Day: Getting to tour Officer Hart’s cool vehicle! We got to learn about all kinds of different equipment and take turns sitting in the front seat.
