Sometimes the simplest adventures make you think. As the seasons start to change here in Texas, I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to place markers in our boys’ lives. Have you placed markers in your KOZ boys’ lives? Are you just doing “service work,” or are you doing ministry work, the kind that leaves a mark they’ll never forget?
The Power of a Marker
When I think back to my own childhood, there are moments burned into my memory—markers that shaped who I am. One was the first time my older brother took me deer hunting. He sat me down under a tree in the cold rain, handed me a gun, and said, “If you see a deer, shoot it.” Now, that might not be the training method I’d recommend, but I’ll never forget it. He trusted me, and that trust became a marker in my life. It showed me what responsibility felt like, what adventure felt like, and what it meant to be a man.
You’re Making Markers Too
Right now, KOZ groups across the country are doing the same thing, placing markers in boys’ lives. You’re taking them on their first deer hunts, teaching them to use a crossbow or muzzleloader, showing them how to paddle a kayak or build a fire. Some of these boys have never experienced anything like that before. And those moments will stay with them forever.
A few of our KOZ boys just hiked the tallest peak in New Mexico this summer. They’ll never forget that climb, that view, that challenge they overcame. That’s a marker; something that reminds them, “I can do hard things.”
Go Extreme
At KOZ, we love the word extreme. Not because it’s flashy, but because boys need challenge. They need to scrape their knees, swing from ropes, shout with excitement, and push past fear. Too many boys today grow up in passive, feminine environments—where adventure, danger, and risk are missing. They need men who model strength and courage through hands-on, outdoor adventures.
So don’t settle for easy. Don’t just check the box on your curriculum. Do something bold. Do something memorable. Place a marker.
Stay the Course
It’s tempting to drift off the KOZ trail, skip the sit spots, rush through activities; but don’t. Our curriculum is built to help you create spiritual markers that stick. Moments that show boys they can do things they never thought possible. So fight with your boys. Do hard things. Lead extreme adventures that point them to Christ.
A Final Word
Men, what you’re doing matters. Every hike, every hunt, every fire you build is leaving a mark that lasts far beyond the day. You’re showing boys what a man of God looks like. Keep posting those deer photos. Keep going on those adventures. You’re making markers that will last a lifetime. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
Join the Mission
Want to help boys experience these kinds of life-changing moments? Start a KOZ group at your church or learn more at KidsOutdoorZone.com/GroupInfo.
To watch this week’s KOZ Raw, CLICK HERE.
