Day 3

Today started as many other days do: with an amazing breakfast and squad check-ins. Each group went around the circle to discuss a positive they have experienced, a challenge since they have been up here, and sandwiched by another positive experience in alpha, delta, alpha. After check-in, students went into academic time. Here on the ranch, students are given three glorious hours to take a seat, open their books, write in their packets, and complete units in a meditative and serene environment. Groups trade off from being inside the dining hall, with plenty of space to spread out and be alone; inside the viewing room, with majestic mountains coated with sprawling green trees; or outside under the shade, with a warm blanket provided by the sun.

 

During the academic period, groups were given the chance to meet two shearers from New Zealand here to take off the blistering coats of the llamas, goats, and alpacas. Here is what one student had to say about it:

“Today I had my first eye witness account of animal sheering. The process had to be one of [my most] interesting and unique ones. In order for this to take place, they had to restrain the animal. It looked painful, but the wranglers assured us there was no harm involved. I saw a llama named Dolly and a goat named Josh go through the sheering. After it was all done, I was granted a token of their hair. It was exciting and new. I loved it.”

~Terry Wilson

After lunch, students were able to break into work projects, very similar to the ones we had the previous day. There was wood staining, horseback riding, ranch beautification, culinary arts, and barn work. Wood staining is done to make sure that the wood surrounding the pens does not dry out, is saved from water damage, does not grow rot, and is protected from the harsh sunlight. In culinary arts, students made cookies with the help of Rebekah. Barn work involved cleaning out the animal droppings and tiding up.

After dinner, one squad had the opportunity to be outside among nature telling ghost stories, playing games, and sleeping in a light-polluting free zone. This is located in the same place where the advance camp participants sleep. Students were provided with air pads, sleeping bags, and fleece linings for inside of the sleeping bags. Some students chose to sleep in tents, while others wanted the stars as their canopy.