Teen Wranglers to Honor Military Oct. 2nd

Older generations often worry about the new one coming up: whether the young people will be responsible or self-centered. In years past, the challenges of war have brought out heroism and character in many young people who have been faced with tough choices about what life and country meant to them. Today’s young adults are faced with a similar wake-up call.

In response to that call, in an effort to honor our veterans and those presently serving our country in uniform, some area teens have put together a very special

program with horses, flags, music, carriages, and some fancy footwork entitled “Celebrate America.” Who are these young people? They’re the “Wranglers” of Camp Kavod. On Saturday, October 2nd, (rain date is October 9th) starting at 10 a.m., in addition to the special program to honor our servicemen, Camp Kavod will come alive with carnival games, live music, a BBQ, a model steam train exhibition, hay rides, pony rides, barrel train rides and much more. There will also be a silent auction held with all proceeds going to help the camp with construction projects and overhead expenses. For those unfamiliar with Camp Kavod, (located west of Wentzville in Foristell, MO) their primary mission is to teach biblical truths to young people via a safe, educational and fun experience with horses. The camp, which operates year around, is a non-profit organization with a volunteer staff. They’ve just completed their sixth summer providing free camping for needy children in addition to their Horsemanship Program. Heading up the Horsemanship Program is retired Ferguson-Florissant school teacher, Bob Todd who taught physical education for 25 years. Bob took early retirement in 1998 and, while casting about for what to do next, joined one of his teenagers who had enrolled in the horsemanship classes at Camp Kavod. The Board of Directors quickly recognized his teaching abilities and natural giftedness with horses which prompted

them to ask him to become director of the program. Bob was just as surprised as his friends to find himself as something of a missionary cowboy. His church, Chapel of the Lake in Lake St. Louis, commissioned him as a full-time missionary and the camp has been enlisting regular donors for Bob’s financial support.

As a young man, Bob thought missionary work meant going somewhere you really didn’t want to go, to do something you didn’t really want to do, because it was somehow holy or noble. Now, he enthusiastically ministers to young people by encouraging them in the fact that God’s calling will fit in with the talents, inclinations and capabilities that He has given them, and that their service to Him will have many enjoyable aspects.

Thanks to Bob’s leadership, horsemanship students who have attained “Wrangler” status from the St. Charles, St. Peters, and O’Fallon areas include: Jennifer Richards, Cayla Mund, Noah Cutshall, Bri Bennett and Charity Notz. Wranglers from the Wentzville, Foristell, Wright City and Warrenton areas include: Alisha Ernst, Elisabeth Corica, Paige Hayes, Kristy Noltkamper, Cheryl Tate, Janelle Scott and Katrina Hall.

Camp Kavod is located off of South Stringtown Road just off of the South Service Road between Foristell and Wright City. To donate items for the October 2nd Celebrate America event auction, detailed directions to the camp, how to register for their Horsemanship Program, obtain camper registration forms or other information, call (636) 745-8740. You can also visit their website at www.campkavod.org.