Sky Ranch Programs: Homesteaders

Who's coming?

The Homesteaders program is for children in grades 4-6.

What activities does my child get to do?

The early remains of the old homestead can still be found at Sky Ranch. You can enjoy a program designed for upper elementary children that includes pioneer arts (such as panning for gold), stories, campfires, games, hikes to Beaver Falls and plenty of hearty fun. Live in a warm cabin and enjoy an overnight at Beaver Flats Mining Camp. You'll love the variety of our meals in our dining hall and around the chuck wagon. Evening star gazing under snow-capped peaks will make your time in the mountains breathtaking. It's a great week for curious youngsters eager to explore the outdoors and meet new friends!

Can I see an example week?

Sunday: Campers arrive between 2pm and 4pm. They eat dinner at our chuckwagon and meet their cabin and counselor, who helps them move in. At night the entire community gathers for song and introductions, and bedtime comes early, right after the cabin has devotions and some get-to-know-you games and conversation.

Monday: Breakfast is around 8am and all campers worship together at our camper-led SONDance morning worship. The morning might have low ropes and games scheduled; "low ropes" are activities designed to build cabin bonds and teamwork, and also to prepare for our high ropes course (which Homesteaders do not participate in). The counselor takes the entire cabin to a scenic rock outcropping behind the lodge for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, the cabin learns about another country from one of our International Staff. Afterwards, a nature walk by the river and burned forest piques the campers' curiosity. Group games bring the camp together again and dinner is around 5:30pm. After dinner, the cabin has some rest time to read, nap, play cards or talk. Worship expounds upon the theme for the day and features a homily by a pastor or staff member. After worship, campers get to choose an elective to participate in for an hour. These may include kickball, friendship bracelet making, cookie decorating, writing letters to soldiers, quiet time and games made up by staff or campers. An evening snack precedes WINDWhisper, our campfire that closes the day in song and prayer. The counselor leads devotions at the cabin and the campers head to bed.

Tuesday: Campers head to breakfast and SONDance and join in more teamwork activities throughout the morning. It is this cabin's turn to set up for lunch and lead prayers and songs beforehand, so they head to the lodge early. After lunch, the campers head to weaving class and create a basket out of reeds and decorations to take home. Then they head next door to the store and hang out for a while, meeting other campers, maybe purchasing an ice cream or Gatorade or camp shirt. The counselor has Bible study on the hill near the store and talks about creation, clearly visible in the stunning mountain vista. Group games and dinner come next, and worship, electives, snack and WINDWhisper finish the day.

Wednesday: Breakfast and SONDance start out the day, and the cabin comes back to pack up a few things to take to the Mining Camp later in the day. After packing, campers learn to knit with one of our dedicated volunteers. Lunch follows knitting, and then the cabin heads to the Nature Center to learn about geology (and even edible rocks!). In mid-afternoon, all Homesteaders head to Beaver Flats Mining Camp to start the program-specific part of their week. Dinner is made and eaten outdoors, and after dinner campers learn how to make butter! The evening's focus is a Pioneer Walk with staff members teaching them about the history of the West, and the different roles played by pioneers in the history of our nation. It's fun and often the campers' favorite part of the week. WINDWhisper is held at the Mining Camp and campers head to bed with their cabin in a large tent.

Thursday: An outdoor breakfast starts the morning at the Camp and afterwards, campers pan for gold in Beaver Creek with century-old mining techniques. Counselors lead devotions by the river and a final outdoor lunch is held at the Mining Camp. The Homesteaders pack up in the early afternoon and head back to their cabin. Arts and crafts might come next, where Sky Ranch's Creative Arts Mountain School Instructor shows campers drawing techniques, or makes a moose out of construction paper, or paints, or any number of fun crafts! Group games let off excess energy in our meadow and dinner in the lodge follows. Rest time, worship, electives, snack and WINDWhisper finish the evening, and campers sleep well following cabin devotions.

Friday: A last breakfast brings campers to the lodge, along with luggage and crafts to take home. The counselor takes advantage of one final hour together as a cabin and might hike up to some rocks or down to the creek to play games, have devotions and talk. A closing worship is open to campers and parents, followed by lunch and farewells.

How do I register for Homesteaders?

Click HERE to go back to the Registration Page and sign up for Homesteaders.