"Cowboy Way" Program at Sanguine Ranch

Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd - 25th)

3 Day Ranch Event:

(A partnership between HiE, Sanguine Ranch, and Elk Hill)

Goal: Provide at-risk children a three-day, authentic Ranch/Cowboy experience.

Objectives: 

  • Let kids connect with horses, mentors, and the outdoors in a unique
    setting.
  • Teach them the “Cowboy Way” so they can learn from, internalize, and
    benefit from a unique proven character building experience for life skills
    development.
  • Expose them to creation and meet them where they are in life.
  • Grow a supportive community and relationships that last beyond Sanguine Ranch with Hope is Everything.

Key Focus Areas: Outdoor activities, Cowboy Responsibilities, Giving Hope,
and Healing.

The 3 Day Agenda:

DAY ONE: Settling in and The Code

  • 2:00 PM: Check in!
  • Get to know everyone the “Cowboy Way” at Sanguine Ranch. Optimism and Hope.
  • Cowboy Code Lesson: We’ll talk about, examples, kids unique
 experiences, how they can incorporate into their own lives.
  • Integrity & Honesty: Always tell the truth, keep promises, and be
 trustworthy; do not take unfair advantage of others. (maybe use 
campfire stories to discuss this).
  • Courage & Fairness: Live with courage, be tough but fair, and
 stand up for what's right, even when it's hard. (trying new/hard 
things, shared responsibility).
  • Work Ethic: Take pride in your work, finish what you start, and be
 good, and be diligent. (Equestrian and camp team activities)
  • Respect & Compassion: Be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals; practice tolerance, patience and understanding.
  • Self-Reliance & Duty: Do your part (teamwork), take ownership, 
and be a good steward to the land.
  • Safety First: Mandatory Lecture on ranch safety (horses, gates, fire) with a Q& A session.
  • 4:00 PM: Meet the horses! Feed and water them, build a connection with humans and horses.
  • 5:00 PM: Teamwork time!  Set up camp.
  • Supper Time: Outdoor Cooking!
  • Learn how to use a Dutch Oven.
  • Learn how to build a fire (flint/steel, and kids make their own fire starters).
  • Kids and adults develop understanding of each other and objectives while the kids are here.
  • Campfire Discussion: Share stories about the Cowboy Code in action.
  • 9:30 - 10:00 PM: Lights out/Turn In
  • 10:00 PM -10:30 PM: Adult team recap day, identify opportunities to engage with an understanding of young cowboys for Day Two; focus and special attention; identify responsibilities for Day Two.

DAY TWO: Horse Sense and Work Ethic

  • Sunrise:  Wake up, get clean, check the agenda, and review safety.
  • Breakfast - Campfire build for breakfast with KP (Kitchen Patrol) duties
  • 9:00 AM:  Activity One: Equestrian – Focusing on caring for the horses
    and the ranch as The Cowboy Way of life. Focus on activity with Cowboy Code.
  • 10:45 AM: Break and review
  • 11:00 AM: Activity Two: Equestrian - Introduction to saddling, grooming, and hoof care.
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch break.
  • 1:00 PM:  Activity Three: Equestrian - Practice blanketing and saddling, followed by first riding lesson (demonstrate and evaluate)
  • 3:00 PM: - Clean and feed horses, store tack, start the campfire for dinner.
  • Team Tasks
    • Work Project: TBD based on what the ranch needs (maybe roping or leather work?).
    • Fun time: Roping, leather work, s’mores and singing (Bryce Teague)
    • Stargazing: Connecting with the land and identifying constellations
    • Turn In - TBD time.

DAY THREE: The Trail Home

  • Sunrise: Campfire, break down camp, breakfast.
  • 9:00 AM:  Activity Four: Equestrian - Review and have kids handle picking hoofs, grooming, saddling.
  • Trail ride!
  • Trail Lunch!
  • 1:00 PM: Return to the barn with final Equestrian duties– clean and store tack, clean and feed horses.
  • 2:00 PM: Camp ends! Recognition and “Awards”.
  • 3:30 PM: Kids depart.