Hosted by the Kalamazoo Cadet Council
Date: November 7, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (Registration 7:30 – 8:30)
Location: Westwood Christian Reformed Church
620 Northampton Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Cost: $40 per person (includes breakfast and lunch).
Payment Options
- Venmo (@K-Cadet-2)
- Check (payable to Kalamazoo Cadet Corps) due at Registration
- Or mail to: Kalamazoo Cadet Corps, Attn: Joel Lubben
40436 Robin St., Mattawan, MI 49071 - Cash due at Registration
Schedule
- 7:30 – 8:30 Registration and Breakfast
- 8:30 – 9:15 Opening / Keynote
- 9:30 – 10:20 Workshop Session 1
- 10:30 – 11:20 Workshop Session 2
- 11:30 – 12:20 Lunch
- 12:30 – 1:20 Workshop Session 3
- 1:30 – 2:20 Workshop Session 4
- 2:30 – 3:00 Closing
| Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 |
| 9:30-10:20 | 10:30-11:20 | 12:30-1:20 | 1:30-2:20 |
| Junior Counselor Certification (Part 1 of 2) | Junior Counselor Certification (Part 2 of 2) | Counselor Certification (Part 1 of 2) | Counselor Certification (Part 2 of 2) |
| Head Counselor Certification | Kamp Longview Camporee Recap | Corp Materials | Dealing with Difficult Boys |
| Ministry with Today’s Youth | From Bible Lessons to Bible Readers | How to Get More Boys and Men Involved in Cadets | Leadership Coaching |
| Counselor Planning | Fundraising Round Table | Small Engines Badge Work | Introduction to Backpacking |
| Beekeeping | Small Engines – Acquire and Prep | DC Electric Motors Badge | Ropemaking |
| Bird Dog Training | Pop Bottle Launcher | Introduction to Coyote Hunting | Trapping |
| Blacksmithing | Blacksmithing | At Home Deer Processing | Chainsaw Carving |
Workshop Descriptions
Session 1 (9:30 – 10:20)
Junior Counselor Certification
Get certified as a Junior Counselor (Two hours, part 1 of 2).
Head Counselor Certification
Get certified as a Head Counselor.
Ministry with Today’s Youth
After 30+ years of youth ministry, the most popular question Joey DeKoekkoek is asked is what has changed in young people? What makes them and how they are growing up unique? With those factors in mind, this workshop will explore how we reach this current generation.
Counselor Planning
Participants of this workshop will learn the value of, gain confidence in, and begin planning for their cadre and cadet season. This will be an advantage both in the midst of this season and for future seasons.
Beekeeping
Learn about bees, bee hives, honey and anything else related to keeping honeybees.
Bird Dog Training
Discuss breeds and what they offer, genetics and the roles they play. Lastly, discuss the role of training individual dogs and the rewards.
Blacksmithing
Learn a little about the badge and the craft. It goes along with Bill Ruh’s career as a Farrier (horseshoer). There will be a small project to make.
Session 2: (10:30 – 11:20)
Junior Counselor Certification
Get certified as a Junior Counselor (Two hours, part 2 of 2).
Kamp Longview: Camporee Recap
Whether you missed this year’s international camporee or just want to relive it, this session is for you. Two first-time counselors will walk you through the highlights of Kamp Longview – sharing what happened, what made it memorable, and what your club should know for next time.
From Bible Lessons to Bible Readers
Helping boys discover God’s Word for themselves and grow into lifelong disciples. Most Cadet counselors want boys to know God’s Word, but many struggle to move beyond teaching a premade lesson. This workshop introduces a practical approach to leading interactive Bible studies that help boys observe Scripture, think carefully about what God is saying, and respond in faith. You’ll leave with simple tools you can use immediately, whether you’re leading first graders or eighth graders, to help boys grow into lifelong readers and followers of Christ.
Fundraising Roundtable
General discussion for ideas and strategies to help with fundraisers.
Small Engines – Acquire and Prep
This workshop will show you simple ways to acquire and prepare small engines for the classroom in hopes of simplifying the teaching process.
Pop Bottle Launcher
Make a simple PVC pop bottle launcher.
Blacksmithing
Learn a little about the badge and the craft. It goes along with Bill Ruh’s career as a Farrier (horseshoer). There will be a small project to make.
Session 3: (12:30 – 1:20)
Counselor Certification
Get certified as a Counselor (Two hours, part 1 of 2).
Corps Materials
This workshop will be an overview of the various materials and supplies available from Corp.
How to Get More Boys and Men Involved in Cadets
Every Cadet Club struggles with getting men to become counselors and boys to become cadets. Come to this workshop to learn ways to lessen this struggle.
Small Engine Badge Work
This workshop will cover how to teach the badge work portion for the small engines.
DC Electric Motors Badge
This hands-on workshop will walk you through how to lead your cadets in building a working DC motor from just a battery, some wire, and a few magnets. You’ll build one yourself, learn the simple science behind why it spins, and leave with a clear plan for running a successful project meeting with your club or cadre – no engineering background required.
Introduction to Coyote Hunting
This workshop is an introduction into the basics of coyote hunting.
At Home Deer Processing
Home deer processing information and recommended equipment.
Session 4: (1:30 – 2:20)
Counselor Certification
Get certified as a Counselor (Two hours, part 2 of 2).
Dealing with Difficult Boys
We have all had one in our cadre at some time or another—a difficult cadet. Learn how to handle these difficult boys lovingly.
Leadership Coaching
Relationships matter, especially when it comes to discipleship and spiritual formation. Join this session to explore ways to build stronger relationships with and among your Cadet Counselors so they are equipped to be impactful mentors for the boys in your cadet club. Inspired by the three cornerstones of leadership coaching, you will learn how to develop leaders that can connect through the power of relationships!
Introduction to Backpacking
Interested in trying backpacking, but don’t know where to start? In this workshop we will go over what to bring backpacking, and what to leave at home. We will also introduce you to the best backpacking trails in Michigan.
Ropemaking
Make a rope with our ropemaking machine.
Trapping
Steve Brokema has been an avid trapper for many years. This workshop will answer many of your questions about this outdoor activity.
Chainsaw Carving
Demonstration of chainsaw carving from Steve Drenth.