Alumni, y’all stepped up in a big way last summer with our very first Adopt-A-Cov! So, we’re doing it again—dare we call it a TRADITION?! 

I had the opportunity to deliver a few boxes last summer and see guys’ and gals’ Cov Groups open their care packages filled with encouragement and FUN from alumni who knew exactly what it was like to serve as they were. It was so fun to share stories about you and your time at Camp. Honestly, it was hard to tell who had more fun—you in the giving or them in the receiving! 

It’s pretty simple... Here’s how adopting a Cov works: 

Some new details for this year: 

If you want to Adopt-A-Cov, just email alumni@tbarm.org, and we’ll match you with a group for Summer 2025!

- Kelli Boyd, Alumni Coordinator 

Throughout their time in Panama, the T Bar M Team will send updates and prayer requests, which will be shared here. Check back throughout the week to this same page to hear about their trip.

Final Update:

The team arrived home on Saturday, March 15th! They were greeted with celebration and prayer by local family and friends in New Braunfels. As they sang together, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow", we know it to be true! Thank you, God for power of your Gospel throughout Panama, provision and safety, the blessing of fellowship and community, and salvation through your Son Jesus.

Day 6 & 7:

Update from Tori Feaster: "We had a great time exploring Panama City and the canal yesterday. We are ready to board our flight back to the US!

Days 4 & 5:

Update from Tori Feaster: "The past two days have been AMAZING!! We have hosted camp in the morning with over 100 kids and many of them have been very receptive to the gospel! After 3 days in a row with them, they feel like close friends and it will be hard to leave them! In the afternoon both yesterday and today, we split our group in half and half of us went hut to hut, sharing the gospel and getting to know people in the community. The other half put on camp for 2 different communities (one yesterday, one today).

At both camps and in our home visits, we had many people accept Christ for the first time and many others who were already believers but had more questions and were very curious! Each of our coaches has gone ABOVE & BEYOND to engage with the kids and families and they have not let the language barrier stop them! The translators and trip leaders have been such a blessing, and everyone agrees that we do not want to leave tomorrow!"

Day 3:

Today was the first day of school for the community (their “summer” break is Christmas until today), and they canceled class for the team to come and host camp for the kids. They played games, did skits, and walked through the Gospel through Gospel beads!

In the afternoon, the team went to different houses, asked people questions, then shared the Gospel and prayed for them. In the evening, Brady shared a message about David from the Bible, they worshiped together, and then played the Jesus Film.

When reflecting tonight, a common theme was an awe of the goodness of God and an amazement at the hunger people have for Him. The team is excited to do it all again tomorrow!

Day 2:

After an adventurous ride through the jungle, the team made it to the school! They are spending tonight setting up camp and preparing for their first camp tomorrow morning.

Day 1:

The team has landed safely in Panama City! They are currently at their hotel, eating dinner, and gearing up for their travel day tomorrow.

As we receive updates from the trip leaders, we'll continue to add to this page with pictures and stories - so stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued prayer and support as this team steps out to share the love of Christ in Panama! If you feel led to give, you can still do so here.

Somewhere in the back of a closet, buried under old trophies and childhood keepsakes, there’s probably a gold plastic medal on a thick ribbon—the one your three-year-old self received at the end of a soccer season. You didn’t have to do much to earn it. Maybe you chased the ball a few times. Maybe you were just there for the post-game snacks. But to your parents, that little medal meant more. It represented teamwork, coachability, and a whole lot of energy burned on the field. And when the season ended, you stood proudly alongside your Purple Dragon teammates, medal around your neck, feeling like a champion.

Fast forward a decade or so, and you joined another team. Maybe you weren’t sure what you had to offer. Maybe you were still just there for the snacks. But at T Bar M, you had the same opportunity—to work with others, to be coached, to give your all. And at the end of that season, you stood with your T Bar M teammates, hearts knit together, wearing a different kind of medal—one that held far more meaning.

For over 30 years, the T Bar M Staff Medallion has been given to those who faithfully serve (though many served long before this tradition began). More than 6,000 people have been part of this family. Whether your medallion still hangs around your neck, is tucked away in a safe place, or is displayed where you can see it daily, it’s a symbol of sacrifice, service, and the way God changed you through Camp.

Each part of the medallion carries meaning, reminding us of the purpose and impact of our time at Camp.

The Shape

The medallion is designed to resemble an ancient coin, a nod to the widow’s mite in Luke 21:1-4—reminding us to be faithful with what we’ve been given. Because of this, staff are encouraged to wear the medallion only if they are actively walking with Jesus and living in dependence on Him.

The Wording

Etched into the medallion is the Greek word διάκονος, meaning “minister” or “servant.” It carries the image of one who waits on tables—just as Jesus “took on the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Every summer, we see this lived out as high school and college students serve the Campers and families who come through our gates.

The Place

The front of the medallion bears the Cross, while the back carries the name T Bar M. This isn’t about us—it’s about Jesus and what He did in and through those who served here.

The charge remains the same: we are still called to serve. Being a “minister of the gospel” doesn’t require a church position or a title. It looks like everyday faithfulness—serving in the way a waiter serves a table, in the way a Coach serves a Camper wholeheartedly at Camp.

That plastic medal from childhood? It will fade and get tossed eventually. But this one? It lasts—not because of the metal, but because of the mission. Your T Bar M Medallion is a symbol of sacrifice, service, and life change that didn’t end when your Camp season did.

Wear it. Keep it. And remember—you’re always part of the T Bar M Family.

If your medallion has been lost along the way, we’d love to help you replace it. Email alumni@tbarm.org to order a new one for $35 and continue carrying the reminder of your time serving at T Bar M.

As parents, we want our kiddos to experience the things that change their lives… change their perspective… change their hearts. When we see them go through hard situations, we know it’s worth it, so we listen and cheer them through it all. We might not warn them that a certain decision could lead to a tough road because we know it will grow them. 

And then there are the situations, the opportunities, where we actually send the link to them and say, “This WILL be hard, and it WILL be the best and most fruitful (and fun) thing you might ever do.” 

We send them the link to be a Coach at T Bar M. 

We send it to them because, at one point in our younger life, we clicked on the link (or filled out the pink or blue application), sat in an interview, and signed up for a summer of serving that continues to shape the life we live now. We learned what hard work is. We learned how to resolve conflict. We learned to fully depend on the Lord. We learned how to share our faith. We learned that the Christian life is fun. We learned that community is how we should live. 

And that is why we send our kids this link and cheer them on to take a summer that will change their lives… their perspective… their hearts. 

Over 10% of our Coaches and Work Crew were sons and daughters of YOU, our Alumni. The T Bar M family is growing, and we love it! 

Don’t just take my word for it… listen to other Alumni… and then send this link to your college kid and your high school student. We would love to talk to them about a summer that will change their life, too! 

“For one thing, it was a blessing to know that my son saw the importance of pouring Jesus into kids and recognized the opportunity to “join the labor” (John 4:34-38), just as other coaches had poured into him as a camper. But, as an alumni coach myself, the blessing of us having this shared experience some twenty-something years apart is absolute gravy!” — April Roche 

“Having served as a Coach, it was one of the most rewarding and challenging things I did as a college student… All four of our kids have served as a Coach in the different camps. It has been a blessing to see how they have leaned into the Lord and how the Lord has faithfully guided them through it. They have all grown in different ways through their camp experiences. Does it get any better than that?” — Carey Littleton 

“John serving as a coach has been both nostalgic (as a former coach) and a joy for his mom and me. It has been humbling and encouraging to watch his faith in the Lord grow and to see the strong relationships built with campers and other coaches.” —  Tommy Connell 

“She has been challenged to live out her faith in real time when she’s tired or grumpy, or on fire and energetic. Being with people and doing the Lord’s work 24/7 is not real life for most people, but at Camp, she gets to the end of what she is capable of doing on her own quickly, and then gets to see how God can do more than she thought possible and use her to do it!” — Megan Voskamp 

"I am glad my daughter served as a coach because the experience helped her clarify and grow in her spiritual gifting. Being independent of her parents, coaching created an opportunity to be challenged, selfless, and critically think in ways God designed her for." — Justin VanNorman 

Through prayer and service, the Team saw firsthand how God is moving in Oaxaca.

DAY FOUR

Today we started off the day by giving out more care packages and praying over more families throughout Putla! The first house we visited was that of a man named Pablo. We prayed over his family and the recent news he received that he had to pack up all of his belongings and leave his home. Next, we went to the house of a couple where the woman was struggling with health problems involving her kidney. Due to her health problems, they don’t have the ability to make it all the way to church. Despite not being able to attend church weekly, church members have come to visit her and pray over them. She was recently healed by the power of prayer and can now walk again! We then went close by to a family and prayed over their son, who was deaf, and their grandmother. This family also asked for prayer over the fact that they couldn’t go to church because of the treatments the young boy was receiving. 

After seeing this family, we ran into a woman named Katarina. She asked for prayer for her three children’s health, her dad’s recent passing, and the state of her mental health. It was no coincidence that we happened to cross paths with her! We then saw a couple who needed prayer over their financial situation, Teofila, who is on oxygen for her lungs, and their son, Marco, who was recently in rehab and asked for prayers that he would go to church. Lastly, we visited a young girl, Ari, and prayed for her and her family. After that, we had lunch and hit the road for our seven-hour drive back to the church in Oaxaca! 

DAY FIVE

We got to sleep in again today after arriving back at the mission house in Oaxaca around 1:00 AM. We ate breakfast at the house and then started some painting projects at the house. We painted the living room, the brick walls around the courtyard area, and the church meeting space. We got to bless Pepe, one of the pastors, by doing this work. He would have done this all by himself! 

After we finished painting and cleaning up, we started setting up for the youth event we hosted. We played games, worshipped, shared testimonies, shared Scripture, and prayed over many people. It was evident that God was with us. People gave their lives to Christ and asked questions about God. It was an incredible night of ministry, and we are encouraged by what God is doing here in Oaxaca. 

DAY SIX

Today was an early morning. We went out for breakfast and coffee! We put on camp for some of the younger kids, which was just amazing! The Gospel was shared through Gospel beads, some fun songs, the soup skit (a camp favorite), and I (Mason) got to share my testimony! It was just a super fun day of seeing again the endless ways God works through not only our lives but also the lives of others!

One of my favorite parts of today was right after handing out Gospel beads. I had a kid walk up to me and ask if he could have three more bracelets to give to his cousins! Seeing how much he cared for them and how impactful the Gospel was for him was so amazing! God is so good, and I can’t wait to see what else He has for this trip!

- Timothy Team 29

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. - 1 Thessalonians 2:18

"I can still see the picture in my mind. It was plastered on the side of the 12-passenger vans that carried Camp Staff on recruiting trips; it was in all the promotional pamphlets and banners. A coach, down on one knee, fist-pumping with a camper, big smiles on both their faces. As I think about it all these years removed from serving at Camp, it’s a great picture of how God has called us to live in relationships with each other.

I have the privilege of working on a kids ministry staff at a church, and we talk often about having a “kneepad mentality.” We want all our staff and volunteer leaders to not just talk to a kid while towering above them, but to get on their level, look them in the eye, and call them by name, even if it means you have to wear a kneepad because you’re hitting a knee so much to do so. We believe this is how Jesus saw and welcomed people, and we want to do the same. For me, so much of that was forged at Camp, where we literally lived “life on life” with campers and fellow coaches for entire summers.

Justin Whitmel Earley describes deep friendships as needing two main ingredients: time and vulnerability. While Camp provided incredible space to do that, it also showed us the template for living that out on the other side of the “Love God Love Others” gates. When I think about the countless laughs, tears, and great conversations with co-coaches, covenant group members, and fellow leadership teammates, it was almost always because we were spending genuine time together and willing to be authentic with our lives.

And I believe that template is what God calls us to today, in all relationships. Only a mutual love, gratitude, and joy for the Gospel of our salvation explains the diversity of friends we have today. As I seek to be a Godly dad for my kids, I’m reminded of the same principles I learned at Camp. “Get on their level! Be Jesus in tennis shoes!” (Even if my shoes are no longer trendy.) And as we seek to share with others the good news of the Gospel we all need, even that is still the same: God’s love share through relationships. He moved through them then; He moves through them now.

May we always be seeking to live life-on-life with the people God has ordained us to brush shoulders (or fist pump) with."

- Sean Hill

Timothy Team 29 Says Hello From Oaxaca!

DAY ONE 

Travel went really smoothly today, we didn’t have any major issues at the airport. We got to Oaxaca around 2:30 and met some of the people we will be working with. Once we got to their mission base, we got to hear some inspiring stories from our translators and an encouraging talk from Cisco about what we will be doing this week. The Lord really provided joy and energy for us when we got here, and our hosts have been super welcoming and encouraging to us. We are excited to see what the week will bring and how the Lord will work and move. 

DAY TWO 

We started the day very early because we had a long drive ahead of us. We thought that the road trip would be around a couple of hours, but little to our knowledge, it was actually eight hours long. Our drive was good; we went through the villages of Oaxaca and weaved through many mountains. On the way, our translator, Mando, casually told us that we were about to pass the church where they filmed Nacho Libre, so we got to go check that out. 

After that, we drove for a couple more hours. We had a quick stop for the van to cool down (not scary at all). While we were walking, everyone was looking at us, and these little girls were looking at us, laughing and making fun of us. I don’t know a lot of Spanish, but I know enough. So, I smiled at her and raised my hand to say hola. When I raised my hand, she flinched as if I was going to hit her. That kind of stuck with me and made me think about how the translator talked about their parents physically abusing them. With that in my head, I was praying for her on the way. Then we finally showed up at our hotel, and to our surprise, it was actually really nice. Then we went to eat with the pastor and his family before church. 

At the end of the day, we went to church, and it was in this house next to chicken farms. We did some worship in Spanish, and then I was able to share my testimony with the congregation. It was such a blessing to talk about how God saved me. Seth started to teach, and it was just an awesome message about who we are going to say Jesus is. Then, when that was done, they started speaking in Spanish and looking toward me. Our translator gave me a "come here" motion. He said that he remembered I had said I could play guitar and asked if I could lead worship for them. I had nothing planned, and I have a tough time memorizing lyrics and guitar chords, so I just did the best I could with what I had. I figured there weren’t a lot of English speakers, so if I messed up, it wasn’t a big deal. Worship was great, though! It was awesome to see people truly worshiping God regardless of the language barrier. It was such an awesome experience I’ll remember. I have to remind myself that truly we don’t need great technology, preparation, seating, and heating/cooling to make a “good” church. It’s just about gathering for the glory of God, and that is what happened. 

DAY THREE

Today, we got to sleep in a little bit before we went to the church to eat breakfast and prepare to go to different houses to bring care packages to. The first stop was to a woman named Juanita. She had lost all ability to walk and was diagnosed with cancer. Due to her inability to walk, her treatment for the cancer was put on hold, since she couldn’t move her body. After hearing her story, we were able to pray for her and give her a care package. Next, we went to pray for a family who had been persecuted for their faith. This family had to completely leave everything they had ever known or had behind. They also were taking care of two of the woman’s son’s kids. 

After that we went to the house of Cholita, a woman who had lost both her sight and the majority of her hearing. As we prayed for her, she cried continuously. Lastly, we went to the house of a woman who had a child that had stopped growing due to so many seizures. We were able to pray for his health and that God would have His hand in their lives. After these stops, you could tell that everyone was truly reflecting on their lives and how grateful we are for certain things. Today was a truly humbling day to me and reminds me of how good God is even in the hardest of times. 

Our next task of the day was to make at least 100 sandwiches for the upcoming festival we were having. Then, that evening, we held the festival for the kids. We danced, played, sang, hit piñatas and were able to just love on them. My favorite part of the experience was doing gospel beads with them. Even though some of them may not have paid attention or truly took in what it meant, it was a seed. A seed that only God can grow. 

The work these pastors are doing here is amazing. They have loved us so well and shown us what it truly looks like to love others. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. A saying we say so often but truly saw what that meant here. All the time He is good, in the hardest of times, sad times, happy times, He’s there. Praise God!

- Ryan Odom + Timothy Team 29

Every year, our Timothy Team sets out on a mission trip, stepping into God’s call to serve others and share the Gospel across the globe. These trips are a cornerstone of the Timothy Team experience, providing a chance to grow deeper in faith while meeting tangible needs in communities around the world. 

This year, Timothy Team 29 will travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, from January 20th–28th. During their trip, the Team will partner with local pastors, support communities in need, and bring the hope of Christ to villages throughout the region. In fact, the connection to this particular area is with alumni Tim Teamer, "Cisco” Villasenor. In addition to serving, the Team will take time to experience the rich culture and natural beauty of Oaxaca, a testament to God’s creativity and goodness. 

The heart of this mission aligns with our commitment to sharing the Gospel with every tribe, tongue, and nation. The Team is praying for transformation—not just for the people they serve but for themselves as well, as they experience the joy of being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Each Team member is trusting God to provide the funds needed to make the trip possible. Contributions—whether through prayer or financial giving—will help the team make an eternal impact in Oaxaca. Together, we can be part of His work to bring hope to the nations. 

If you feel led, you can use the link below to donate in support of the Team's trip.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

How KP and Ryan Kuenast Continue to Partner with T Bar M Through Generosity

Since our beginning in 1981, T Bar M Camps & Retreats has been all about relationships. We desire to see life-change and God’s Truth practiced in our relationship with Him and our relationships with each other. Ryan and KP Kuenast have experienced life-change here at T Bar M, by serving as Coaches, Leadership, and now partnering with us!

For KP, T Bar M was a fixture of her childhood, starting at age five when she leapt into the world of Day Camp in 2004. Her summers were marked by adventure and spiritual growth, as she transitioned from Camper to Day Camp Coach to Sports Camp Coach and eventually the Sports Camp Leadership Team. Yet, becoming a Coach wasn’t always a clear path. KP remembers doubting herself, thinking she wasn’t as “cool” as the Coaches she looked up to. It took the encouragement from Will, her former youth pastor and then Day Camp Director, to convince her otherwise. This simple push led KP to become a Coach where she learned to selflessly serve and love others each day.

Not growing up as a Camper, Ryan’s story begins quite differently, but his life is forever changed by the Truth he experienced while serving at T Bar M. “College was a difficult time for my faith,” Ryan recalled, which left him feeling hesitant about the idea of serving as a camp counselor. Like KP, “I thought I wasn’t good enough.” It wasn’t until he picked up his sister from another summer camp that he felt like he should give it a try. The encouragement of friends and a memorable interview with Judah, his future Camp Director, led him to T Bar M, where he worked several summers, finding new life and joy in Jesus Christ. During that time, he was baptized - publicly proclaiming his new life in Christ and his understanding that God uses broken people to create something beautiful.

Though the two of them first crossed paths at T Bar M Sports Camp during training week, they did not work the same halves until the next year. After playing together as partners in the infamous Coaches’ Cup tournament, the rest was history. They started dating that summer and got married a few years later. Even now, they laugh with their friends about having “the best future Family Camp cabin” with their own kids someday (they might have some competition for that!).

After experiencing those bittersweet feelings we all feel when we reach our first summer away from Camp, Ryan and KP learned that some of the most meaningful ways to stay connected are through prayer and giving. Their generosity started with the desire to be faithful with what God has given them.

They both recall a sermon series done by their local church on 2 Corinthians 8-9. Their pastor focused on God’s heart in giving for the lost, giving for the city, and giving for the future. This led the Kuenasts to pray and consider giving to both their local church and to T Bar M.

“Giving isn’t just another line on the budget. It is an opportunity to pray, worship, and thank the Lord each month for His provision.”

For the Kuenasts, partnering with T Bar M serves as a reminder of the way God has used Camp in their lives, and a chance to pray for the ways He will continue to change lives for generations to come. They know that their gifts, though given humbly, are part of a larger story God is writing - one where future Coaches and Campers might encounter Jesus just as they did.

KP (Innergized - Take A Stand Camper, Take A Stand and Final Score Day Camp Coach, Dial’d In, Real Deal, Fired Up, Bonadife Sports Camp Coach and Leadership) and Ryan Kuenast (Dial’d In, Real Deal, Fired Up, Bonafide Sports Camp Coach and Leadership)

Each summer here at T Bar M, we get to see God change the lives of Campers through Christ-centered adventure. Daemyn Cortez’s story is one example of the impact that generous partners have in helping make sure every child can experience what God does here at Camp. Daemyn first joined us through a Campership, unsure of what to expect—especially in terms of faith. But as a young first-year Camper, he was warmly welcomed by Coaches who provided a safe space for his questions about the Bible and cabinmates who encouraged him as he grew in his walk with Jesus. “I think any kid and every kid should experience Camp at least once,” he shared. 

God worked through the activities and rhythms of Camp to shape Daemyn’s habits and teach lessons he carries with him today as he pursues a career as a pilot and plays collegiate basketball. He remembers the importance God’s Word during first fruits, being vulnerable with his brothers in Christ around campfire, and the richness of a faithful life. As his mother, Laura, shared, “He learned so much about brotherhood and his connection with God grew in ways I can’t really explain. Those years truly impacted Daemyn’s life.”