Returners - Wednesday to Saturday

Hello everyone!  We are very excited because the Ranch is receiving lots of rain!  However, we do not have internet at the moment and so our blogs have been postponed.  However, one of the staff is in town and posting on the past few days!

Wednesday - July 4, 2012

Happy Fourth of July! Today was filled with lots of fun as returning students arrived at the Ranch and got right back into the swing of things.  They met with their squads, participated in icebreakers, completed some academics, reviewed horse knowledge, and participated in team building activities.  Some took advantage of the musical instruments in the viewing room and others enjoyed some of the meals!

Thursday - July 5, 2012

Today we kept up with academics and work projects and added in some karaoke as well as a scavenger hunt!

Friday - July 6, 2012

We woke up and ate a delicious breakfast followed by a work project on this lovely Friday.  After lunch, we were able to see the horses get their teeth floated by a local veternarian. 

We also learned about different types of saddles from Krystyna and Rachel, our barn wranglers!

Then, we went on a hike where some of the staff and students were prepared for the rain!

Saturday - July 8, 2012 -

Today, we played games inside due to the rain and continued to have fun out here on the Ranch!

More blog posts are on their way, and we apologize for the delay of these posts.  However, we will let everyone know how the hike went today and the rest of the days to come here on the Ranch.

Arrival at the Ranch!

Hello everyone!  After a long flight and bus ride, we finally arrived safe and sound at the ranch. Everyone quickly unloaded for some needed sleep. This morning we awoke bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready for the adventure awaiting us at Rocky Mountain Pathways Ranch!

There is always time for learning! The students are studying hard during academic time

Joey, the facilitator, signs everyone up for their work projects

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.