KOZ Blog | Mentoring Boys Outdoors & Outdoor Ministry Resources

Today’s culture tells us to protect boys from every hardship. We cushion their falls, remove obstacles from their path, and often mistake comfort for care. What if boys actually grow stronger by facing challenges? One of the greatest gifts a man can give a boy is the opportunity to discover he can do hard things. […]

As Father’s Day approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to think about the influence fathers and father figures have on the lives of boys. For some boys, Father’s Day is a celebration filled with gratitude and memories. For others, it can be a reminder of absence, disappointment, or questions that have never been answered. Regardless

When people hear about Kids Outdoor Zone, many assume we are only a ministry for fatherless boys. While serving unfathered boys is a major part of our mission, that assumption misses something important. KOZ is also a place where fathers and sons can grow together, serve together, and become part of the solution for boys

When I was younger, I thought I knew what my later years would look like. I imagined a rocking chair on a porch somewhere, taking life easy and watching from the sidelines while younger men carried the load. What I’ve discovered instead is that God isn’t finished with me yet. At 67 years old, I’m

As we move into June, Father’s Day is everywhere. Store displays, commercials, church announcements, and social media posts all celebrate dads and the special bond between fathers and sons. For many families, it’s a joyful season filled with appreciation and memories. For many of the boys we serve, however, Father’s Day feels very different. In

There’s something about wide open spaces that makes you think differently. This week’s KOZ Raw comes from the rugged beauty of Antelope, Oregon, where TJ Greaney is attending a Man Camp with Jim Ramos of Men in the Arena. Walking a quiet gravel road through canyon country, surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes

Sometimes the best mentoring lessons come from the most unexpected places. For TJ Greaney, this week’s KOZ Raw started with a frustration most of us can relate to—two broken windshields in one week. One rock hit his truck and another hit his wife’s. It was inconvenient, irritating, and just one more thing to deal with.

Some of the most important things boys need to say are the things they never say out loud. That’s why sit spot cards for boys have become such a meaningful part of the Kids Outdoor Zone experience. In this week’s KOZ Raw, TJ Greaney sits down with KOZ leader Kirk Stewart from Galesburg, Illinois, to

As Mother’s Day approaches, teaching boys to honor their moms becomes an opportunity every mentor, dad, and leader should not overlook. Not because it isn’t important, but because it often feels so simple. At KOZ, we spend a lot of time teaching boys outdoor skills, life lessons, responsibility, and character, but some of the most

Mentoring boys through everyday life doesn’t always happen around a campfire. Sometimes the most important moments happen at a gas pump, inside a convenience store, or while checking a PO Box. In this week’s KOZ Raw, TJ Greaney shares a simple but powerful reminder for KOZ leaders: boys are always learning, and some of the