Meet the Staff
K-1 Directors
Kris and Diane Cooper
Chief Personnel Officer Kris Cooper and his wife Diane have an unmatched enthusiasm for seeing boys and girls grow in their relationship with Christ. Kris and Diane make K-1 the most fun and impacting time of every child's summer. They both have a great sensitivity of heart that leads them to see the need in each Kamper's life.Kris and Diane were married in 1982 and have six children, Conner, Kristen, Lucas, Rebecca, Claire, and Caleb.
Jennifer and Lee Farley
Lee and Jennifer (Reno) Farley have joined the K-1 team and Jennifer is the Assistant Women's Director. Jennifer has a steadfast and patient spirit that guides her love for sharing the best of Kanakuk with Kampers. Lee and Jennier married in 2005.
Matt and Melissa Houston
Co-Directors Matt and Melissa Houston seize every summer as an opportunity to help staff and Kampers take bold steps in living a life for Christ. Every piece of Kanakuk includes a portion of their enthusiasm and leadership. Matt and Melissa have five children.
Joel and Callie Dolloff
Joel and Callie Dolloff fill the Men's and Women's Assistant Director roles with a softness that draws Kampers and staff alike to follow them in leading the Four-Square Life. Together they add fun-infused energy to everything at K-1. Joel and Callie have two children, Mac and Dru.
K-2 Directors
Joe and Debbie Jo White
Since 1976, Kanakuk Kamps owners and K-2 Directors, Joe and Debbie Jo White, have shared a deep passion for pointing kids to Christ through Christian sports camping. Together they have seen Kanakuk grow into nine unique Kamps and have also founded Kids Across America - for inner-city kids. Joe played football at S.M.U. where Debbie Jo was a cheerleader. Joe then coached at Texas A&M before moving to Missouri in 1972. He has since written 19 books and speaks across the country for Men at the Cross, After Dark, Pure Excitement and Focus on the Family radio. Dr. James Dobson says, "Joe White knows more about teenagers than anyone in North America." Debbie Jo trains the leadership team and the summer staff in a Precepts Bible study. She leads and organizes our Kamps with both dignity and grace. Joe and Debbie Jo have four children: Jamie Jo, Courtney, Brady, and Cooper; and eleven grandchildren: Hays, Maggie, Dax, Gabby, Jack, Anthony, Lillyanne, Hayden, Tiki, Hannah, and Samuel.
Trish Helsel
Trish Helsel fills the Women’s Executive Director role for Kanakuk Kamps. Her passion for Christ, sports, and teenage kids spurs her on to make every moment at K2 fun, exciting and memorable. She has 3 teenage kids of her own: Bo, Tee, and Shay.
Shay and Ashley Robbins
Together, Ashley Robbins, K-2 Assistant Women's Director and her husband Shay K-2 Men's Director make K-2 a jolt of excitement. Year round they invest their time in the lives of kids through mentoring and friendships.
Don Ford
Don Ford serves as Co-Director at K2 and is the President of AfterDark Ministries. Don and his wife, Jennifer, were married in summer 2011. Don has been a part of Kanakuk for 24 years. He and Jennifer are passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus with teenagers and staff at Kamp.
K-West Directors
Ward and Beth Wiebe
"Faithful and loving" describe our K-West Directors, Ward and Beth Wiebe! Together they have over fifty years of experience making the "Wild West" of young adulthood an adventure in growing more like Christ. Ward and Beth have two children, Michael and AJ.
Alane "Spook" LeGrand
Loyalty and consistency have endeared Women's Director Alane "Spook" LeGrand to the K-West family. Known as a bit of a "prankster", "Spook" rustles up fun wherever she can find it. Her many years of service have made her legendary among our Kamp families.
Todd and Bronwyn Rapp
Assistant Director Todd Rapp and his wife Bronwyn share a special "Old West" spirit of friendship and hospitality with every K-West Kamper. Since 1986 Kanakuk has been blessed with Todd's energy, musical talent and heart for mentoring youth. Todd and Bronwyn have 4 boys, Hunter, Connor, Carter, and Colton
K-Kountry Directors
Collin and Rachel Sparks
K-Kountry Directors, Collin and Rachel Sparks, have a heart wrapped in loving service toward all around them. K-Kountry's warmth and safety are felt by Kampers and parents alike because the Sparks share themselves with Kanakuk. Collin and Rachel have three children: Ella, Braden, and Beckett.
K-Seven Directors
Keith and Karen Chancey
As the Directors of K-Seven, Keith and Karen Chancey share a passion for living life with integrity and compassion. Keith lights up the summer with an energy and enthusiasm for showing kids that it's a blast being a Christian. Keith and Karen have two children, Callie and Cameron.
Chad and Catherine Hampsc
Chad and Catherine Hampsch are the Assistant Directors for K-Seven. Packing the full Kanakuk experience into seven days takes youthful and humble hearts and this couple shares those qualities as they minister to kids about following the Lord. Chad and Catherine have two children Mylee and Isaac.
Marissa Olson
K-Seven Director Marissa Olson
Corporate Directors
Joe White, President
Since 1976, Kanakuk Kamps owners and K-2 Directors, Joe and Debbie Jo White, have shared a deep passion for pointing kids to Christ through Christian sports camping. Together they have seen Kanakuk grow into nine unique Kamps and have also founded Kids Across America - for inner-city kids. Joe played football at S.M.U. where Debbie Jo was a cheerleader. Joe then coached at Texas A&M before moving to Missouri in 1972. He has since written 19 books and speaks across the country for Men at the Cross, After Dark, Pure Excitement and Focus on the Family radio. Dr. James Dobson says, "Joe White knows more about teenagers than anyone in North America." Debbie Jo trains the leadership team and the summer staff in a Precepts Bible study. She leads and organizes our Kamps with both dignity and grace. Joe and Debbie Jo have four children: Jamie Jo, Courtney, Brady, and Cooper; and eleven grandchildren: Hays, Maggie, Dax, Gabby, Jack, Anthony, Lillyanne, Hayden, Tiki, Hannah, and Samuel.
Doug Goodwin, COO
Doug Goodwin is the Chief Operating Officer and his wife Dee is the Co-Women's Director at K-Kauai. Their hearts are turned toward service to families and equipping them with lifelong memories that draw parents and kids closer together. You'll find them always positive and ready for a day's island adventure. Doug and Dee have 4 children, Kyley, Kale, Kade, and Karis.
Kris Cooper, CEO
Executive Directors, Kris and Diane Cooper have an unmatched enthusiasm for seeing boys and girls grow in their relationship with Christ. Kris and Diane make K-1 the most fun and impacting time of every child's summer. They both have a great sensitivity of heart that leads them to see the need in each Kamper's life.Kris and Diane were married in 1982 and have six children, Conner, Kristen, Lucas, Rebecca, Claire, and Caleb.
Don Frank, CBO
Chief Business Officer Don Frank
Adventure Directors
Paul Etheridge
Paul Etheridge is a retired Missouri state trooper with over 27 years of service. He has spent most of his working career, both in the military and as a policeman, in special op's and SWAT, retiring as a Director of Special Operations. Paul is currently employed with Kanakuk Kamps as their Director of Operations and Support. He also directs Kanakuk's international activities and missions work. Recently he formed the Adventure Series Kamps – Survival, Scuba and Aviation. These Kamps are designed to challenge high school Kampers to push themselves into the more adventuresome activities that are not considered a part of the traditional summer Kamp experience. These Kamps offer certifications that will last a lifetime. The spiritual emphasis will last an eternity.
Kanakuk Family Kamp Directors
Geoff and Lindsay Todd
Geoff "GT" and Lindsay have been a part of Kanakuk Ministries for over a decade. Lindsay was a longtime kamper and both served as summer staff in college. GT was the Area Director of OKC K-Life for its first 3 years before returning to Kanakuk full time in 2005 as the Men's Director of K-Klassic and the Director of Marketing for AFTERdark and PUREexcitement. He made the transition to K-Kauai in 2009 where he serves as a Director and continues in his role with AD / PE as well. GT and Lindsay have a beautiful baby girl named Harper Story and a boxer named Hurley.
Doug and Dee Goodwin
Doug Goodwin is the Executive Director and his wife Dee is the Co-Women's Director at K-Kauai. Their hearts are turned toward service to families and equipping them with lifelong memories that draw parents and kids closer together. You'll find them always positive and ready for a day's island adventure. Doug and Dee have 4 children, Kylee, Kale, Kade, and Karis.