"Cowboy Way" Program at Sanguine Ranch
May 8th - 10th
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.
- Educational Goals: Understanding non-verbal communication and "personal space" through first contact with horses; Social hierarchies within a group.
- 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).
- Campfire Discussion: Share stories about the Cowboy Code in action.
- 9:00 - 10:00 PM: Lights out/Turn In
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.- Educational Goals: Math skills in measurement and structural integrity; Attention to detail and the financial cost of neglecting tools, structures and supplies.
- 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.
- Fun time: Roping, leather work, more TBD
- Supper Time with s’mores and singing (Bryce Teague)
- Evening Sharing and Stargazing: Connecting with the land and identifying constellations
- 9pm-10pm: Wash up/Lights out/Turn in
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.
- Educational Goals: Learning Comprehension from previous
instruction. - Trail ride!
- Trail Lunch!
- Educational Goals: Learning Comprehension from previous
- 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.