KOZ Monthly Outdoor Training April: Camping and Outdoor Cooking 7:30 Leader Meeting and Prayer time. This time is imperative and gives the leadership time to prepare their hearts for the meeting and time with the kids. Do not take this time lightly. Be on time, meet with God first. 8:30 Kids begin to arrive. Meet parents or guardian BEGINNING YOUR MEETING WITH KOZ STRUCTURE 8:45 Begin Meeting. All together say the American (Your Country)Pledge of Allegiance. KOZ Prayer: Lord, Thank you for making us strong and fierce warriors for you. We hunt, we fish and we share our faith with others. God Bless America (Your Country)-Amen Work to get the boys to memorize the KOZ Prayer and use it as a tool for kids who have little experience in praying or are afraid to pray. (Before meals, before an adventure or other times as a reminder of who they are and what they represent). Leader s first questions/discussion. Outdoor Training LEADING INTO YOUR OUTDOORS SKILLS TRAINING Camping and Outdoor Cooking: This is one of the best lessons you can share with your boys. It is also one they can do with their mom, family, friends. Low cost, high adventure, fun and more are all part of a camping trip. How many of the boys have spent the night outdoors? Talk about : Are you scared of the dark? Most people, if they are truthful, are at some level. (most boys will not admit to fear, that s okay. Share if you are) There are few things as cool as camping out and there are thousands of parks, mountains, lakes and rivers that you can camp at. Who knows how to cook over a camp stove, campfire? Who loves a campfire? Share a camping story, a bear encounter, a memory. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 1
LEADING INTO YOUR HEART TRAINING Scripture for this month: This Month's Scripture: John 21:3-12, Simon Peter said, I m going fishing. We ll come, too, they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn t see who he was. He called out, Fellows, have you caught any fish? No, they replied. Then he said, Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you ll get some! So they did, and they couldn t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, It s the Lord! When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them, fish cooking over a charcoal fire and some bread. Bring some of the fish you ve just caught, Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn t torn. Now come and have some breakfast, Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. Leader s first questions/discussion, Bible training: This is the story of Peter s encounter with Jesus after he had denied Him 3 times. Jesus had died on the cross and Peter had gone back to fishing. He thought his days of being a preacher were over, so he went back to doing what he was doing before he met Jesus being a fisherman. (KOZ boys are fishermen like Peter). Peter wondered if Jesus would be mad at him or disappointed in him for denying him. Jesus came looking for Peter and found him at the lake doing what he loved to do fishing. So what did Jesus do? He went and camped out on the bank while Peter was fishing all night. And when the sun was coming up he started a fire and cooked some breakfast for Peter. Peter caught no fish all night but Jesus gave him a fishing tip that landed a whole boat load of fish. Peter realized it was Jesus on the bank and dove in the water and swam to shore. What he found was Jesus who loved him, forgave him and made breakfast for him. To be dangerous for good like Jesus we need to forgive others who have hurt us and cook em breakfast Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 2
Who has hurt you or disappointed you? Are you still mad at them? Choose today to be like Jesus and forgive them. (Leader pause here to lead boys in a prayer of forgiveness for specific person who has hurt them) NOTE: Let them talk leave time between when you say something and they can speak let it be silent for a while if you have to they grow close in times of quiet allow Him to come STOP & BEGIN OUTDOOR SKILLS TRAINING BEGIN OUTDOOR SKILLS TRAINING: IDEA TRAIL Things to do this month: Camping: For those who are just beginning the camping lessons there are lots of great lessons. The objective is to have the boys ready to take someone camping, or strike out alone, after the lessons. For those more skilled, give them advanced training tools they can use. Teach them to lighten their load and go! KOZ PINTREST IDEA PAGE: https://www.pinterest.com/kidsoutdoorzone/pins/ Campfire safety. (proper fire in parks info. Fire ban info.) How to set up a tent. You can make this into a competition on who can do it fastest. Where do you build a camp site? Never near a creek, clear brush and overhead branches. What do campgrounds offer? Always use the mantra, Leave it better than when you got there. Take out all trash, even poop where required. Bear proofing. It is required in many areas. How to mend a tent, tarp or sleeping bag. What is a tarp and how do you use one. Ropes and knots. Camp stoves, lanterns use and set up. Outdoor Cooking: Proper fire safety in outdoor setting. Proper fire pit construction, Dutch oven cooking, camping gear cooking (backpack woods gear). Food prep. Boy Scouts have great information here. Many different techniques. Drinkable water safety and preparation is another great topic here. Scout bread, foil dinners, wild game foods, canning, smores, cleanliness outdoors (includes privy). Use only camping gear to cook foods Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 3
Stoves used for camping, hiking, outdoors Use scouting cooking techniques Making the proper fire and cooking area for your camp setting Purifying water options Scout bread, hot dogs on stick wrapped with biscuit, cinnamon roll on stick etc. Create a smoker, grill or other cooking area for your KOZ camp Teach how to properly make sure the fire has been extinguished. (VERY IMPORTANT) *Note always add an EXTREME element to your KOZ day. Be creative. FIELD NOTES: Break into stations for different training areas. Break the boys into teams and make a competition out of the tent set-up. Be encouraging and know that there are lessons in the things we can t do as well as others or do not complete. Here are some tips from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Your parks department may have free literature or paste this into a handout for your boys. Safety Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and make sure your trip is safe. Be aware of the natural surroundings. There may be plants with thorns or stickers, fire ants, spiders or ticks. You are a visitor in wildlife's home. Keep a safe distance from wild animals. Although they may look cute, they are wild and can carry diseases. Never feed the wildlife! Feeding wildlife can encourage bad behavior by animals and is against most park regulations. Be careful with fire. Never leave a fire unattended and be sure your campfire is out when you break camp. Axes, knives and saws are useful tools, but be sure you know how to properly use them. Etiquette Courteous behavior makes camping more fun for everyone. Think about your fellow campers. Keep noise levels down, especially at night. Leave the area clean. Pick up your trash and make sure to check the area for items you may have forgotten. Keep food out of the reach of animals. Put food items away after use. Raccoons and other animals will take advantage of your carelessness. Camp in designated campsites. Use a tent pad if provided and keep vehicles on the pavement. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 4
Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. The Seven C's of Camping 1 Care - We will care how we camp by being considerate of others. 2 Caution - We will use caution in the use of camping equipment both on the road and at the campsite. We will handle fire and flammable fuels so as not to endanger others or ourselves. We will improve our camping skills, knowing the right way is the safest way. 3 Courtesy - We will practice politeness because it enhances the camping experience. We will respect the privacy of others. 4 Cleanliness - We will be clean in our camping habits and teach others the importance of cleanliness. We will pick up litter no matter who left it and be proud of the campsites we leave behind. 5 Cooperation - We will observe the letter and spirit of camping regulations and rules established to protect our enjoyment of the outdoors. We will work cooperatively with others to make it better for everyone. 6 Conservation - We will protect the environment in which we enjoy camping and help those whose job it is to guard and wisely manage our country's natural resources. We will endeavor to leave a better outdoors for those who follow us. Common Sense - We will apply common sense to every situation, knowing that reason, understanding and humor make camping better for ourselves and others. Other places for good information and literature. Here are some sites where we have found great content of this lesson plan. The internet always has resources but be careful there are some bad sites with poor information. We do not endorse nor are we associated with any of the sites listed below. The information there may change as well. KOZ PINTREST IDEA PAGE: https://www.pinterest.com/kidsoutdoorzone/pins/ Boy Scouts: Wilderness Survival Manual - see online Scouting.org GOING OFF THE TRAIL THIS MONTH? IMPORTANT: Use the opening/use the close, prayer/ sit spots and prayer cards. All groups should use the foundational structure of KOZ each month. The starting, the prayer, sit spots etc. as a common element to every meeting. Everything from sledding to swimming, hiking to fly fishing. The key to going off the trail is to keep the structure in place. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 5
Get them outside, move their bodies, adventure and exploration. Keep it exciting, keep it real, be intentional about bringing them into a relationship with Christ. OUTDOOR TRAINING CONCLUSIONS Ask pointed questions on the outdoor skills they learned today. Drive home a point What was your favorite part of KOZ today? If you could go camping, where would you like to go? Do you think you could go camping right now? What would you need. SCRIPTURE TRAINING AND HEART TAKEAWAY EACH MONTH: Reminder to leader: Our theme for 2018 is Dangerous for Good. Remind the boys before each month s Bible story of our theme. Each month we will look a real Bible character that will live out this theme. Challenge our boys each month to also be like these great men of God and be Dangerous for Good. This Month's Scripture: John 21:3-12, Simon Peter said, I m going fishing. We ll come, too, they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn t see who he was. He called out, Fellows, have you caught any fish? No, they replied. Then he said, Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you ll get some! So they did, and they couldn t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, It s the Lord! When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. Bring some of the fish you ve just caught, Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn t torn. Now come and have some breakfast! Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. Trail Map #1 Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 6
Isn t it awesome that Jesus and his disciples experienced some of the same things 2000 years ago that we can experience today. How many of us like to camp out and cook in the outdoors? Jesus did that very thing on the beach waiting on his disciples. Jesus also cooked a meal, including fish, on an open fire on the beach when his disciples came in from fishing. As you learned today, we have many great and wonderful advancements in cooking pots, grills and supports over the fire. I imagine Jesus just gathered up some larger rocks or stones, just what his earthly dad, Joseph, had taught him. After all, it was common place then to cook on an open fire everyone did it. I m sure they had their unique tricks to help cook the fish evenly, maybe a piece of flat rock next to the fire or a piece of think metal beaten flat by the local blacksmith. Whatever it was, it was NOT bought from Walmart or Cabela s. In many ways, when we campout and eat camp food, we are as close as we get in this culture to experiencing the way things were on that shore. When you have a campfire, you can sit and stare, poke and warm yourself just as Christ and his men did. If you have been wandering away from Christ, maybe even denied him, you might find yourself like Peter. Like Peter, you can run back to Him as fast as you recognize that He is wanting and waiting for your return. Like Peter, you ll find Him ready to love you and fellowship, even feed you with the richness of what He s prepared for you. Train Map #2 Can you imagine camping with Jesus? They guy who created the universe. I can only image the conversations they had around the campfires with Him. I love this story. The other thing I love is that Jesus made it a point to forgive Peter. He did not have to. He could have stayed mad at him. They were best of friends and Jesus did not want his friendship with Peter to be that way. It is so important to learn how to forgive people. Some of them you might say to yourself, There is no way I can ever forgive them. Yes, it can be very hard sometimes. But it will be a relief to do it, really, it will be. When you are angry at someone it stays with you, sometimes for years. When you forgive them, the burden is gone. Talk to a leader about forgiving, especially if you are having a hard time with it. The KOZ leaders love you and care about you and are here to walk with you through those hard things. Then, plan a camping trip and go enjoy sitting under the stars, like Jesus and Peter did, so many years ago. Drive home a point Forgiving can be really hard but the relief is also huge. Talk to someone, a KOZ leader, if you are having a hard time figuring out how to forgive someone. Do you think someone owes you an apology? They might. Talk to your KOZ leaders about that. One of the best places to learn about God is outside, around a campfire. Jesus loved to talk to His guys there, invite some of your friends to hear about forgiving around a campfire. They will never forget it. Mad at a friend, ask them over to a campfire and forgive them, it will be amazing. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 7
REMIND THEM: God has made you as an amazing person. Individual, special and unique. If you have not heard that for a while, I want to tell you that. I care about you, you matter to me. Talk to me if you need to talk. THE SIT SPOT AND GOD SIT SPOT Purpose: Pass out a blank index card and pen. Have them write 2 things. One thing they learned. Then tell them if they want you to pray for them or something going on to please write it on the card and you will pray for them this month. It is a private prayer between your leaders and them, they don't have to put their name on the card. If they don't have a prayer, tell them to just put their name on the card and what they learned. TO PONDER: Give the boys something to ponder, use the questions above, and ask them to go to a sit spot - let them stay while you prepare lunch (quietly without distracting the quiet moment) - (15-30 min.) SEND LEADERS TO SIT SPOTS! If a leader is not assigned a task have them also find a sit spot. It is good for the boys to see the adult leaders doing the same as they are asked to do. QUIET TIME IS ESSENTIAL. CALL BACK FOR LUNCH - While they are eating lunch LUNCH & KOZ LEADERSHIP TAG GUIDANCE WORK ON DOG TAGS Ask boys if they are working toward KOZ Dog Tags. This is a good time to teach this material. Print their cards and have them ready. IMPORTANT: Ask if any of the boys are new give them their KOZ Nation dog tag (the first one) GIVE A BOY HIS NAME IN KOZ We have found that giving boys a nickname is a huge tool for them. Giving a boy a New Name has been a game changer for many. A strong, fierce name is important. Jesus and His Father both gave new names. Ask prayerfully what name a boy should have. The leaders decide NOT the boys. It is an honor bestowed, even if funny. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 8
As you wait for the parents to arrive: Tell the boys you love them. That they are important. That if they have not prayed to ask Christ into their hearts to come talk to a KOZ HTL (ROMANS 10:9). If a kid wants to be baptized, have them talk to you about it - you can do it somewhere really cool! Perform a service project on site. Teach the boys to ALWAYS leave your area BETTER than it was when you got there. Parents arrive. Greet them and tell them how good their boy did. Tell the boys to invite a friend! Hand out literature or take home materials... A gallon plastic Zip lock bag with their name on it works great each month to collect their take home materials. Stay, Read the Sit Spot cards. Pray over the cards. Divide them among the HTL s for the month. Materials Copyright 2018 - kidsoudoorzone.com - 9508 Chisholm Trail Austin, Texas 78748-512-292-1113 9