Jackson County Youth Center

This past weekend we hosted our friends from the Jackson County Youth Center. The weather was amazing and we had a great time. This year was a little different. The Super Kicker Rodeo was at the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds, and we all went. The performance was great and I think everyone who went enjoyed it. Only one of the youth had ever been to a rodeo. Josh's daughter Mia participated in one of the events; Muttin Busters. This is where the kids under 50 lbs ride sheep into the arena and try and stay on for 8 seconds just the the cowboys on the bulls. She did pretty good and was a good sport when she fell off. When we got back, Chuck had a fire going, so we were able to make smores and play some fireside games.
Sunday, we had breakfast, and Jan shared a word from the Lord. The weekend ended with the "Chubby Bunnies" tradition with JCYC counselors. Greg beat his record and won the contest with 12 marshmallows.
Take a look at the pictures by clicking the link to the right; Jackson County Youth Center.

Young Travelers - Week 2 - Responsibility

Yesterday we worked with the horses and started our leather belts. This week's topic of discussion from the book was Responsibility. The boys had to tack up their horses and groom them before they could ride. The group is taking responsibility for their own horse for the entire eight weeks, getting the horses ready, and then putting all the equipment away. Some of the boys are ready next week to tool their belts. This group is taking their time, and it shows. They are very creative.
Chris made spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner and chocolate cake for dessert.
Discussion time was very good and all the boys participated. Take a look at the pictures by clicking the link to the right called: Young Travelers 8-23-10.

Kids Explosion-Memory Verse Contest

Saturday we had a group of 15 kids from Kids Explosion come to the ranch for a few hours of fun. These kids were awarded the trip by memorizing their weekly Bible verses during the kid parties that were going on all over Jackson this summer.
The rain kept them from riding the horses, much to their disappointment, but we still had fun anyway. We had to stay under the tent and do craft projects. They made leather bracelets, beaded necklaces, and made door hangers. Bill also took groups of 5 down to the barn to meet the horses and donkeys. They got to take Little Guy for walks in the rain and enjoyed doing that. We had hot dogs, baked beans, and chips for lunch. All had a great time. Take a look at the pictures by clicking the link to the right called: Kids Explosion 8-21-10

Young Travelers Play Day

Lately, on Fridays, we are having a "Young Travelers play day". We have set this time aside for the youth who have been part of a Young Travelers class for them to come to the ranch to just play and have fun. They ride, play volleyball, games, maybe cool off in our cool tub (opposite of hot tub) and we all have dinner together.
The interest for this program is growing and we are all having a great time.
Yesterday, Jalen has graduated in his riding skills to ride out in the field with Bill and Johnathan. He was pretty excited to be able to finally get out of the arena and onto the field. I took a few pictures, check it out by clicking the link to the right called Young Travelers Play Day 8-20-10. The cat in the VERY DRY BIRD BATH is Nine.

Young Travelers - New Group 8/16/10

We started another Young Travelers group this past Monday. What a fun group of boys!Six boys will be learning about horses, leather tooling, teamwork, and mentoring, but most of all learning about themselves and the tools we have to give them to help build character. Each boy will be paired up with a horse and work with that horse for eight weeks. They are going to set a goal they want to acheive with that horse during the eight weeks. Janet and Brian were with us and took some awesome pictures.
Take a look at them by clicking the link to the right called: Young Travelers (the one at the top). Next week we will be discussing the book, The Young Travelers Gift, and the first decision for success; responsibility-the buck stops here. Should be interesting; since the boys will be responsibile to get their horse, saddle him/her, and groom him/her.

Wrap Boys - Aug 7th and 8th

This past weekend another group of wraparound boys came to the ranch. A few of them had been here, but most had not. Those who had been here were able to ride a different horse and they really enjoyed that. The other boys also had a great time riding. The horses have become the best part of the weekend for all of us. This year, the kids are given a picture frame to decorate and then I go to the store and develop pics for them to put in their frames. They are able to go home with a picture of their horse and themselves. Most of the kids like putting their names on the frames and the names of their horses and wranglers. This has become a fun part of the ranch. I like that they get to go home with a fresh picture to show off to their family and friends. The water games were a lot of fun also. We had a competition between Johnathan and Josh (our bunk captains). They were blind folded and each team was to direct their bunk captain were to throw buckets of water on the other captain. I don't think Josh's cabin got it, though. We was pretty wet after Johnathan got him!! Dinner was great and they kids were pretty wore out and went to bed before 11:00. That was amazing! We had Sunday morning breakfast, Stephen led worhship and Jan spoke a blessing over the boys. They really like doing the leather tooling. With the grant money we received from Ronald McDonald's charities, we were able to purchase more leather crafts and got some pretty cool stamps.
Take a look at the pictures by clicking the link at the right called: Wrap Boys Aug 6th and Aug 7th. There are two sets of pictures, (I am still learning how to work my camera with my computer picture program)

Young Travelers Presentation

Friday we hosted 6 juvenile probation officers at the ranch. We presented to them our Young Travelers program and actually had them doing some of what the kids do.
They went on the trail ride and we discussed the 7 decisions for success, they made a leather craft (bracelets), and we shared a meal together. They also took the personality profile test. I never did find out who is a Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, or a Beaver! I wonder just how actuate that test really is? Anyway, we all had a great time. I think they liked the program and was glad to see what it's all about. They refer a lot of youth to us. Take a look at some pictures by clicking the link to the right called, Young Travelers P.O. presentation.