Hey KOZ guys (and maybe gals), TJ here with your KOZ Raw for this week. I was out on the ranch working on a bow blind and started thinking about a moment that reminded me why relationship-based mentoring for boys is at the heart of what we do.
When Boys Fight, There’s Often a Deeper Story
A few years back, I was fishing with two teenage boys. They were constantly picking at each other until it almost turned into a fight. After warning them a dozen times, I finally sat them both down in a nearby cabin and said, “Alright, what’s really going on?”
At first, silence. Then one of them broke. He told me his parents were splitting up and his dad was moving out that weekend. The other boy said, “My mom has cancer. I’m about to move in with my grandma.”
Two heartbreaking stories from two boys who were just hurting inside. It reminded me that every boy has a story we can’t see. What looks like anger or defiance might actually be pain.
Why KOZ Is About Relationships, Not Merit
That’s why Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ) is a relationship-based mentoring program, not a merit-based one. We’re not here to hand out badges or ranks. We’re here to build trust, listen, and walk alongside these boys through tough seasons.
If you have just three boys in your KOZ group and you truly know them, their names, their stories, what’s going on at home; you’re making an impact. Numbers don’t define success. Relationship does.
Small Acts Can Change a Life
One KOZ leader shared about his group’s camp cook. There was a boy who was always angry and distant. Instead of ignoring him, the cook started asking him to help in the kitchen.
That small act of inclusion changed everything. The boy found purpose. He realized he mattered. That’s what relationship-based mentoring for boys looks like; simple, consistent care that builds trust and opens hearts.
Every Man Can Mentor a Boy
Every man in the church should mentor at least one younger guy. If we don’t do it, who will? Mentoring doesn’t have to be complicated, it can happen at a campfire, in a boat, or while fixing a bow blind. It’s about being present, listening, and reminding boys that they’re not alone and that Jesus loves them.
If you’d like to learn more about how KOZ helps men mentor boys through outdoor adventure, visit https://kidsoutdoorzone.com/groupinfo or check out our YouTube channel for more KOZ Raw videos.
To watch this week’s KOZ Raw, CLICK HERE.
Final Thought
When those two boys shared their stories, they stopped fighting. They understood each other. That’s the power of relationship-based mentoring for boys, healing through empathy, understanding, and connection.
Regulators, mount up.
