Teaching boys to speak with courage, pray with confidence, and boldly live out their faith.
Confidence doesn’t happen by accident. I’ve spent years watching boys grow into young men, and one thing I’ve learned is this: every confident young man can usually point to someone who believed in him before he believed in himself. For many boys, especially those growing up without a strong father figure, that encouragement may never come unless another man steps into the gap. That’s one of the reasons Kids Outdoor Zone exists.
One of the greatest gifts we can give a boy isn’t teaching him how to fish, build a fire, or shoot a bow. Those things are important because they build relationships, but our real goal is helping a boy discover that God created him for a purpose and that he doesn’t have to wait until he’s older to begin living it out.
God Uses Young People
Lately, I haven’t been able to get away from the book of Jeremiah. The opening chapter keeps drawing me back, especially these verses: “Oh no, Lord God! I don’t know how to speak because I am only a youth.” (Jeremiah 1:6) I think a lot of boys can relate to that.
They believe they’re too young, too quiet, or don’t know enough to make a difference. But God’s response to Jeremiah wasn’t, “Wait until you’re older.” He told him not to let his age define him. Instead, He promised to be with him, guide him, and give him the courage to speak. That truth hasn’t changed. Our boys need to know that God can use them right now.
Building Confidence Starts with Small Moments
Helping boys become confident doesn’t require a big speech or a special program. Most of the time, it starts with small opportunities. One of my favorite examples is asking a quiet boy to lead the KOZ Prayer or say the KOZ Pledge. To some of us, that may not seem like a big deal, but for that boy, it may be the first time he’s ever stood in front of a group and spoken with confidence. Those moments matter.
Every time we encourage a boy to participate, celebrate his effort, or simply let him know he did a good job, we’re helping him believe that he can do hard things. Before long, the boy who never said a word is leading prayer, sharing scripture, and encouraging someone else.
Boys Need Someone to Believe in Them
Not every unfathered boy grows up without a dad in the home. Some boys have fathers who simply never taught them how to be confident, make decisions, or trust the gifts God has given them.
Every boy needs to hear someone say:
- You can do this.
- God has a purpose for your life.
- I believe in you.
Those words carry more weight than we sometimes realize and when a trusted man consistently speaks life into a boy, it changes the way he sees himself. Over time, that confidence follows him into school, work, friendships, and eventually into the family he’ll lead one day.
Bold Faith Is Learned
Confidence isn’t just about speaking in front of people, it’s about having the courage to live differently.
It’s the confidence to say:
- “No, I’m not doing that.”
- “No, I’m not looking at that.”
- “No, I’m not going there.”
- “Yes, I’ll pray.”
- “Yes, I believe in Jesus.”
Those kinds of decisions don’t happen by accident. They grow when boys are surrounded by godly men who encourage them to speak up, pray out loud, memorize scripture, and trust that God has a purpose for their lives. We’re not trying to turn KOZ into Sunday school. That’s never been our mission. However, we can absolutely create opportunities for boys to practice their faith in simple, meaningful ways that prepare them for the challenges they’ll face later.
We Need to Grow Too
This isn’t just a challenge for boys. There have been plenty of times when I didn’t speak up because I was afraid I’d misquote scripture or say something wrong. A lot of grown men feel the same way and that’s why, in my Base Camp men’s group, I make sure every man answers at least one question. Some are serious, and some are just for fun, but the point isn’t having the perfect answer. The point is helping every man become comfortable using his voice. The same principle applies to our boys. for every opportunity to participate builds confidence for the next one.
Building Boys Who Lead with Confidence
At Kids Outdoor Zone, we’ve never been in the outdoor business. We’re in the business of changing lives. The outdoors simply gives us the perfect place to build relationships where boys can experience the love of Christ through godly men. Whether we’re hiking a trail, fishing a pond, sitting around a campfire, or spending time together during Sit Spot, every conversation is an opportunity to remind a boy of one simple truth: He isn’t “just a kid.” He’s someone God created with purpose.
When we help boys trust God, speak with confidence, and boldly live out their faith, we’re preparing them to become the husbands, fathers, church leaders, and mentors of the next generation. That’s why we do what we do.
Ready to Help Build Confident Boys?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a difference in a boy’s life, let me encourage you…you can. KOZ equips men in churches to mentor boys ages 8–18 through outdoor adventure, biblical discipleship, and consistent relationships with godly men. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or an outdoor expert, you just have to be willing to show up one Saturday a month. It could help change the course of a boy’s life.
Ready to get started? Learn how to start a KOZ group at your church today. https://www.kidsoutdoorzone.com/groupstartdetails
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