Lone Ranch Camp

Sherry Vario writes this about our Middle School Youth Camp in Montana.


Every once in a while it’s good for us to step out of our comfortable lives and in to intentional hardship. Last week, six adults from NCC accompanied 19 junior high school students on a mission to the Loan Ram Ranch, a Christian Horse Camp in Plains, Montana. Our road trip to the Big Sky State was predictably loud with up-beat music streaming from CD players; and it served as a good time of fellowship for 25 virtual strangers to get to know each other. Adults feigned horror as we watched pockets of spending money dwindle at every rest stop for one sugar fix after another. Teenagers learned the art of conversation as they were forced to answer questions that rubbed past the surface and into the core of who they are.

Ultimately the Loan Ram Ranch was much more than just a place to fellowship. During four nights and three days our group worked and served. The kids were given jobs ranging from cleaning horse tack to building fences. We endured significant obstacles such as 100+ degree heat, swarms of bees throughout the camp, Port-a-Potties too full to describe, the disappearance of camp-provided sleeping tents after the second night, no showers . . . Sounds like a script from a horror movie . . . but like most trials we face as believers, this one sharpened us and drew us closer to God and each other. Without the comforts of home, we were more thankful for what we had. Our kids were remarkably caring and selfless as they helped friends overcome fears. They managed to stay strong and cheer each other on through the most difficult assignments. And perhaps most importantly, they learned what a blessing it is to serve someone other than themselves without expecting anything in return.

Montana was hard, it was fun, and it produced significant growth in character and life long relationships. What a welcome diversion from the daily conveniences we take for granted!