Last Post

Well, it is the last day before heading home. The weather has been beautiful, albeit a little hot during the hikes, the food has been as delicious as always, and the staff has been as positive and supportive as we all remember. Yesterday was business as usual as students continued working on academics and work projects. The newest work projects involved sewing, and taking down the tents from the outdoor camp out from this last weekend.

There have not been any indication of any fires from where the ranch is, and in fact, it rained on us today. It is currently raining whilst I am typing this actually. This morning, we had our last check in, our last activity as a squad. After last night’s surprise activity, which was very powerful and emotional, students are feeling a little more like a family as we pack up our bags, anxious to return to the world of units, AR teachers, and life. This camp has left another imprint on the hearts of these chosen few. Bonds have been strengthening, while new strings of friendship have been working their way around the participants, tying them together in shared life experiences and views on the nature of our world.

Our day has been progressing towards the last activity of goodbyes, hugs, and the exchanging of numbers. Students are mixed with apprehension of leaving this thin place, while  also being excited to eat a glorious In-N-Out burger with a large shake and animal style fries. The plan takes off early afternoon tomorrow, and these marvelous students, who I am filled to the brim with pride for, will be back under your roof in no time at all.

Time here passes far too quickly.

Days 7 and 8

After the weekend, things are going back to the way they were before. The time given to students to work on academics is helping immensely. Students have been working at least three hours a day on the units that they have brought with them. Besides academic time, students are continuing on their ranch projects. Ranch beautification, barn work, culinary creations, and horseback riding are still on the menu. The horse riding segments are now an hour long. The trail ruins down the side of the mountain along a river. Here is what one student had to say about the trail:

“We brushed them and saddled them. We had to go around the pen a couple times. We went on the switchback trail. It was very fun. There was a very nice view with lots of trees and flowers. The horses behaved very well; they were calm and followed the trail. It was very enjoyable. My horse had seen something and it had gotten started and it had jumped 10 feet the other way and almost hit a tree. It almost fell going downhill. He caught himself and got back up and got back on the trail.

~Mary Donis

During these last two days, we had a very special birthday for one of our RAs, Emilie. The students made sure to sing to her whenever she was in the room. My count was at least three, and those were only the ones I was present for.

Yesterday, after a rousing afternoon of academics, students were able to depart on a grand adventure. Students were not to know about it, but ideas were being flown around as to a night hike or another outdoor camping activity because dinner was not on the list of activities for the day. Students waited anxiously as the surprise was announced to cheers and applause from all. The students changed into their blue RMPR shirts and hopped on the bus, anxious about the grand adventure that lay in front of them. The bus ride took us off of the ranch and on our way to…

A place I cannot divulge for fear of a flogging the likes of which I have never had before. Sorry. I wish I could discuss where we were as the lightning struck on the horizon, but I am unable to disclose the specifics of the grand adventure.

Weekend Spectacular!

I hope all of you had an amazing weekend. I know the students have.

Since Thursday, each squad has had the pleasure of sleeping out among the stars. Because of the fire ban here in Colorado, each squad headed to a secluded area a few minutes away from the main lodge after a glorious dinner. Here’s the scene:

Wind rustling through the overgrown grass, creating waves of green; a small trail leading to a resting spot with benches and wooden stumps surrounding a rock clustered fire-pit. Two tents set up for each gender. No tree cover for when the sun finally sets beyond the mountain line and the spheres of energy are finally seen. The air begins to cool off after sunset, followed by a warm, temperate breeze for the rest of the night.

Students brought sleeping bags, pads, and fleece liners for inside of the bags. Football, cards, Frisbees, and other games are played until dusk, when one can hardly see the person next to them. When the stars came out, so did the ghost stories. This particular chaperon brought fright, anxiety and suspense to the unsuspecting squad that asked for a bed time story.

For most of the day on Saturday, many games were played, testing students’ wits, athleticism, creativity, and teamwork. One team decided to create a memorial for one of the animals that passed away on Saturday. Tony the llama, son of Dolly Llama, tragically shed his mortal coil after a bout of sickness. He is no longer in pain, and will be sorely missed. The challenges lasted until after dinner, when the students drowsily headed upstairs to bed. But not before sighting a doe wadnering across the ranch!

On Sunday afternoon, after another lazy day of sleeping in for another hour, students had the option of two hikes: the long hike, and the short hike. Here is a description of the short hike:

“The short hike was more of a slow paced long hike. We got home at the same time. We walked up next to the marsh and were following the river all the way up to the mountain. At the base of the mountain, we got to go to a waterfall and wade around in the water. We got to keep our feet cool, and have a little break. We didn’t do much more than was different from the long hike, except we ended up meeting on a mountain where we were having lunch. We basically backtracked on each other, and the way the long hike went up getting to the mountain [where the short hike was eating], [the short hikers] ended up going that way on the way home.”

~Cameron Enderson

After a surprise activity that this chaperon personally enjoyed, the students went off to bed, excitedly talking to each other throughout the night, but going to be at a decent time for the familiar schedule on Monday.