This month is all about Summer Camps!
July has been a phenomenal month of groups coming to host with us from all over Kauai for summer camp experiences and events.
Join us as we share about the adventures and impact in this chapter of 2025!
- A Summer to Remember! -
Within June and July 2025, we welcomed 11 full summer camps through our doors! Representing all ends of Kauai from Kekaha to Haena, and with kids from infants to high school graduates! Incredible memories were made, and lives were impacted through their time here. It’s truly inspiring to us with how God is building up our next generation of leaders on Kauai, and this summer has been the perfect testament to that. We had many repeat campers come to multiple camps in order to expand their experience which led to deeper conversations and connections. Repeats like that even opened up doors for new campers quick to warm up to their peers and leaders who were ready to invest into them! With schedules filled to the max, the adventures have been endless!
- A Scavenger Hunt! -
We’ve lost our animal statues around Makanalani, and we need your help to find them! During our time with Sacred Childhood Kauai this month, we got to take a day to do our hidden animal scavenger hunt! The keiki were all challenged to find 12 animal statues around the farm. Armed with a list of clues, water bottles, and our HLR Crew there to help, we were in for a fun day!
We went up and over hills, bridges, through tall grass and dark jungle until all of the statues were found! The keiki had a blast and were given so many opportunities to explore nature and grow their teamwork skills to complete their job!
- Flag Football! -
With Ohana Christian Fellowship Youth, they brought equipment to have a flag football tournament! Up in the Game Field, the students and leaders got right to work, competing fiercely until a winner was crowned. The students had a blast, each bonding over the shared motivation to bring their team to victory!
- ABLE MINISTRIES DAY -
It’s time again for one of our favorite days of the year! Able Ministries Day! Able is a Kauai-based ministry that runs through Lihue Missionary Church, specializing in the mission to invest into the teen-adult special needs community on island! We are always blessed with the opportunity to partner with them for their annual summer camp day.
This year the theme was ‘God’s Masterpiece’, so we took time for a painting activity which allowed each VIP to express their creative side with their friends! Community building is so important, and this club does a wonderful job of providing a safe space where every VIP can feel welcomed and loved. After the art project, we spent some time with a message from the Bible along with some praise and worship!
Moving through the day we made some tye-dye shirts, used the slip and slide, and ended with a big dance party which got everyone on their feet to end the day on a high note! It was such an incredible day, and we want to express a huge thank you to every leader and volunteer who came in to make sure thus day was fully prepared and provided for to make the most special day possible!
- Field Day! -
Kauai Baptist always brings the heat! But no matter how hot it may be outside, they will always push through to make the best out of every day! Utilizing the game field, they were able to have friendly competition with various field games! Through it all, one of the biggest takeaways was seeing the students constantly encouraging and cheering on their teammates through it all!
- Slip and Slide! -
The slip and slide got more use than ever this summer with not a single camp passing by the opportunity to use it! The slide offers so much fun and is the perfect way to cool off as the days keep getting hotter. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a perfect time to bond and create memories with friends!
- Night Hikes! -
The Night Hike is one of our favorite activities to do with the kids, and One Way Ministries Youth took full advantage of it this month! We got to take these kids out for an hour-long tour of the farm after dark. Exploring through the woods, up and down trails, and even passing by our mini donkeys. Always a fun experience for the kids to shake things up!
- Hawaii Leadership Residency -
Seasons of Service and Spirit
“In the past month or so, Makanalani staff and residents have been thrilled to experience adventures, fun, heartwarming service, and deepening their relationships with Christ and each other. As the residents come to the end of their session, service days doing farm work, kids house, picking citrus, and production of farmers market goods have been filled with joy, laughter, and opportunity.
From the Fourth of July cookout in Hanalei, to camping at Secrets Beach, the Lord has been able to move hearts in all involved. Residents were able to serve with Able Ministries at the Kids House, and experience tender moments with the VIP’s in attendance. The impact they had on each other was goofy, pure, and vital for both parties involved to learn so much from each other. Makanalani also hosted multiple groups at the Kids House where residents were able to serve, which consisted of beach days, slip and sliding, crafts, and sweet worship. These special connections created lasting memories and encouraged intentionality within the relationships formed.
Teachers from all around the world have traveled here to pour into residents, and have cultivated a culture of open hearts to listen to what God has for them. Chris and Meryl from South Africa paired impactful messages of apostolic purpose with daily application of how to get out of negative thought cycles. Evan and Rachel from California dove into how to build a life of passion and transformation, and how our souls need Jesus desperately. Tom and Cindy from Oahu shared stories of how their lives are filled with faith paired with adventure, and inspired residents to do the same. Rob and Linda from Dubai spoke to us about evangelism and leadership, and how every Christian is a leader for Christ and our confidence to evangelize comes form the gospel.
Makanalani has been the backdrop for countless beautiful moments-prayer, prophetic words, and powerful nights of community worship. We are filled with gratitude for all that has happened and filled with hope for what is to come!”
– Jenna Johnson (Hawaii Leadership Resident – Summer 2025)
More Makanalani History will be shared next month!
We are taking a break this month from our “Glimpes into the past of Makanalani” to make room for more summer content, but keep an eye out for our August 2025 Newsletter where we will be diving back into our history and sharing about the first permanent building on the farm, the barn!
