Ron Hickman, founder of Fox Valley Yakkers - Neenah

I'd like to send out a BIG THANK YOU to the Fox Valley Singles Group for inviting the Fox Valley Yakkers group. Those awesome people know how to put a gathering together. From the big hearted people to the exciting activities. This is an annual event that you wouldn't want to miss. Scott and Jeff set the boundaries for what a great gathering should be like. This years gathering will be hard to top. But somehow I am sure the work of these two guys and the rest of their members will make even next years event better. While it did rain on us most of the time, I can't remember having so much fun in the rain. My hats off to Jeff, Scott, and everyone that attended this years event. I have never felt so welcomed and accepted. Bless you all......

Carol

Thanks for the great experience last weekend. We only got to be with your great group 1 night, but it was wonderful. What a great group of people! The rafting on Sunday was awesome! I'd do it again in a second. Who would have thought that we could have such great fun in less-than-optimal weather conditions. It just goes to show that attitude is everything! Thanks for the organization and hard work that went into making the camp out a success! Please invite me next year!

Lou Ann - Appleton (aka Mom, Sis)

Jeff and Scott, thanks so much for all the work you each did organizing this event, packing up a truckload of gear, shopping and preparing food, setting up an awesome group campsite, and for your kindness, patience and generosity. The list could go on and on. I am overwhelmed by your lived-out love for all of us.

Ron, thank you for all the work you put in organizing, packing and hauling kayaks and gear for me and others, for the great talks on the road, and for sharing your camping and kayaking expertise. You are a blessing and welcome addition to the group. Blessings to you with FoxValleyYakkers.com. We can't have enough kayaking venues and fellow yakkers. For those not registered with Ron's meetup group, I encourage you to join. It's a fun group. Alice, great to have you as a tentmate and getting to know you better. You are a sweetheart. Thanks for putting up with me for 3 nights in cramped quarters. I look forward to staying connected.

I'm also very grateful to have spent a weekend with folks who know and love the Lord or desire to know Him. I experienced God's love from so many people - the most powerful witness. I also loved the discussions we had around the campfire, girl talk in the shower room, one-on-ones on the water etc, and the worship and praise led by Jeanette. (Thanks for sharing your awesome heart for the Lord and your God-given talents with us, Jeanette. You are a gift!)

It was great getting to know folks from the Madison and Milwaukee areas too. I hope we cross paths again! Hugs and blessings to all.

Jeanette - Milwaukee

What an absolutely awesome time this weekend was. It was God honoring, fun, and a great time to bond with some really great people. I hated that the weekend was over. Can we do it again next weekend? :) Thanks to ...Scott, Jeff, John...and all of you who really worked hard to make this happen. It was such a blessing to everyone. When people come together and are not afraid to put God in the middle and are willing to let His presence be felt......great things will happen. And great things did happen. Thank you to all of you for showing The Love of Christ. You all blessed my soul. I really do hope we can all get together again sometime this summer for kayaking, hang gliding, or whatever else we might dream up. God Bless you all.

Emily B - Madison

Jeff, I just wanted to say a hearty thanks again for organizing this weekend's trip. Please convey my gratitude to Scott as well. You both did such a marvelous job and gave so much to make the trip possible. In spite of the inclement weather, I had a marvelous time. It was such a pleasure to meet all of you.

Chris F - Waukesha

I know I was only there for the one night, but that was an absolute blast, and I hope to make it next year.

Alice

Thought you'd like seeing the pictures I took this weekend. It was a fun and enjoyable even though it rained. (included in gallery) Just wanted to send out a thank you for putting together a great weekend gathering. This was my first time and with a little apprehension I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did, it was beyond my expectations with all the good food that was prepared, the great mixture of people I met and how people looked out for each other. You can see how both of you put a lot of work into this event and its very much appreciated. Thank's to Ron for all of his light hearted funny off the wall statements. I think he had everyone laughing at some point and time. Also thanks to Jeanette who entertained us with her enjoyable music. And I must give a thanks to Lou Ann for offering me to camp out in her tent with her, otherwise I would have went home at night and missed out on the good time. It was enjoyable having her as a roomy. Thanks also to everyone for making last weekend a success. I'm already looking forward to next year, meeting new people and enjoying everyone's company.

Julie R - Wauwatosa

Thanks so much Jeff - what a fun weekend. I can hardly believe Carol, Chris & I didn't arrive until 4pm Saturday. With all that we did, it felt much longer! Thought the rain would be a downer but instead it was all good times under those tarp tents. Seriously, really enjoyed it a lot. And a big Thanks to Everyone who helped coordinate, plan, cook, and every other little thing it takes to make the weekend (and I know that can be a lot). It was a perfect time, with an awesome group of people! Hopefully we can stay longer, or come sooner, next year!

Teresa M - Fox Valley

Thank you for planning the trip, I had a fantastic time. Unfortunately I had to leave Saturday but plan to stay the full four days in 2011!!! I have only one suggestion...no big group breakfasts, just cereal and oatmeal so we get on the water by 8am. Scott can make eggs for lunch!! Ha ha!!!

Dan Russell - Fox Valley

Thanks Scott and Jeff for a wonderful time camping, kayaking and rafting. I so appreciated your servant spirit that was always present. You all made the entire weekend go so smooth for all of us! Because of you guys we all had a great time! This was the most non-camper friendly camping event I've been on! Looking forward to what you guys plan for next year!

Joe H - Middleton

It's weekends like this that give me a boost toward heaven -- a place where all will be Christ like. I git home and start researching Kayaks, and then my internet connection fails -- 'till today. And then work gets tougher so I can't squeeze in Rutabaga time to check out their recent trade-in's. Woe is me, I feel like a drug attic look'n for my next Kayak'n fix. Hey Mike, it was really a pleasure to see you, and several others who have mastered the sport, glide in your kayaks so gracefully. As noted by other's, the camp that was set up was so cool. Thanks you all for putting your hearts and soul's into this effort.

We had a splashing good time this year at the Fox Valley Singles annual Camping / Kayaking / Canoeing / Whitewater Rafting weekend. Two WHOLE days of sun, so Scott could get his annual sun BURN!!!!!

It was fun organizing the event this year. Many new faces. It is always great to have a diverse group come to play. From age to interest of activities to what part of the state they came from. And talk about diverse; we had another Scott with us who is blind. If it wasn't for the level of the river which only allows for the fun yaks, Scott wanted to go Whitewater rafting with us. I was going to play a joke on the owner and tell him Scott wanted to raft. But we found out he wouldn't have been the first. Tony has taken many different people with various handicaps rafting. Two others from Madison, drove 4 hours to get a great aerobic work out then drove back another 4 hours. That is not my idea of a fun day, but it was for them.

The time spent in fellowship making new friends is well worth it. Even though the weather wasn't the greatest on Saturday we all made the best of it. Cant wait for next year to roll around and do it all over again. Start planning for next year.

Though the river was at 0 this year it still was navigable and still far better than 4 years ago when you couldn't go 5 feet without getting stuck on a rock. Two first timers want to come back next month and do it again, they had so much fun. Although I would make sure it's at least a +5 or better on the river gauge.

Chris - Menasha

Scott and Jeff did a great job putting this event on. They are very good at what they do and take care of everyone there. They helped me out with everything. I couldn't have asked for 2 better guys to do this with. They are true friends to people and will help out anybody. They made the weekend a great time! I cannot wait until next year to do it all over again! Maybe next time I will be able to go Whitewater rafting down the river with them. Although, I did go canoeing down the river on the slow water and still had fun. It was relaxing! Thanks for everything!!

Rogene

We were blessed with terrific weather for camping/canoe/kayaking. The opportunity to meet so many fine people, sharing the love of the outdoors. Having the Christian overtones, was welcome. People just blending so well, helping, sharing are just some of the things I admired. The area for this camp outing was perfect. The Kosir's camp employees were very friendly and helpful too. Having the opportunity to kayak, hike, fish, beside Whitewater rafting rounded out the entire weekend, even with the cold evenings and later rain. With me just getting into camping and kayaking, I learned so much this past weekend. Thanks for being great teachers.

Melissa - Madison

The drive was fine! Took about 3 1/2 hours. Allen and I were beat but it was worth it. Thank you so much for the pictures! They are so funny! That was such a fun time. Thank you for organizing it! I think I'll do that (camping) next year.

Lynda - Eau Claire - (Attended in 2006)

Are you Scott from the Green Bay singles group? I went Whitewater rafting with you a few years ago. Still one of the best weekends that comes to mind!

How are you? Are you still arranging singles group activities? Any chance those Whitewater pictures are archived somewhere? That was 2006 or 2007. I can't remember. I downloaded them and my computer lost its hard drive.

Your profile popped up on my facebook account...and your name sounded familiar....I had to think for a bit about where I bumped into you before.

Yes, yes, and yes. Lynda's response to my reply:

I was thinking about that weekend, because it was almost exactly three years ago that I went (2006). It truly was one of the MOST fun things I have ever done. It was the first of my new "risky" behaviors...ha-ha! (Didn't they used to call that mid-life crisis?)