Dear Friends,
Last summer, on the very last day of one of our camps, Jeremiah was visibly emotional. When I approached him to ask if I could pray with him about something, he just said, “This is it. I can never come back.” Jeremiah was twelve, and for over 15 years, our camps have served 6-to 12-year-olds. He was brokenhearted because he was aging out of a place that had provided so much fun, hope, and healing.
I told him, “Jeremiah, we’re going to launch teen camps at Lonesome Dove Ranch next year. You’re the first one to know and the first one I’m inviting."
We have dreamed for years about launching teen camps, but the emotional and behavioral needs of these kids are often severe, and working with teenagers with this degree of trauma is something we didn’t feel equipped for. But in that moment with Jeremiah, it was like a spark of faith ignited in my soul. I didn’t know how, but I knew it was time. I told him, “Jeremiah, we’re going to launch teen camps at Lonesome Dove Ranch next year. You’re the first one to know and the first one I’m inviting.”
His face lit up, and he ran off telling everybody. The staff who heard me make that promise stiffened in disbelief. You see, we have a conviction here. We don’t make promises we can’t keep. Broken promises have shattered these kids’ lives, so we keep ours. When Jeremiah walked off, the staff approached me like I had lost my mind. I just said, “I don’t know how. I don’t know what it will look like. I just feel faith in my soul for this. This is a promise we’re going to keep.”
AND WE DID! Our staff traveled to different states, studied different models, and achieved certifications to make this happen. A lot of prayer, a lot of hard work, and a lot of God’s goodness made it happen. And…in a fitting turn of events, one of the first kids off the bus at our first-ever teen camps was Jeremiah. Promise kept!
Every year, the impact on the kids that come here is supernatural and hard to put into words, but this year it’s been more special than ever. There’s been an extra sense of God’s favor and blessings on every camp for every age group. Perhaps it’s God’s way of honoring a step of faith that was too big for us, but gave Him a chance to show His glory.
None of this would be possible without people like you. Lonesome Dove Ranch is surrounded by a donor family of personal, corporate, and church partners that give extravagantly to make all this possible. This is our humble expression of gratitude.
At the bottom of this post are some amazing testimonies from foster parents and case workers who are witnessing firsthand the impact of our camps on the lives of their kids.
Once again, Haley and I have been humbled by the goodness of God, the generosity of people, and the reality of life change.
Keeping promise to kids who don’t expect it,
Dr. Bryan Jarrett
My son went to LDR for the first time this year. He absolutely loved it! It was his first time at sleepaway camp, and the counselors and staff made him feel so comfortable. He told us his favorite part was jet skiing and swimming. He can’t wait for next year! Thank you for the communication and the care of our son!
-Parent of a Camper
“E” feels so loved at Lonesome Dove Ranch. She continues to learn that she is fully loved by God and that her identity comes from Him. She loves all the activities, but especially the animals. Your camp has changed my daughter’s life! We are so grateful for all who invest time, money, prayer, and love into this camp!
-Parent of a Camper
Our daughter said her favorite part was the birthday party. She loved being celebrated with all the kiddos! She also enjoys the jet skis, swimming, and fishing. I am always amazed by the strong connection she makes with her camp counselors, even in a short window of time. She talked non-stop about a blanket, stickers, and a fan she got from one counselor, and how special it made her feel for the counselor to ask if she liked cats and what her favorite color was. The camp counselors invest 100% in each child they encounter at camp, and it is absolutely apparent from how positively my children talk about these memories for years! She is never ready to come home.
-Parent of a Camper
They LOVED every minute. They felt loved, seen, heard, and adored by your staff. They loved worship, connecting to Jesus, and all the activities! Such a gift.
-Camp Volunteer
This was the second year my three boys were able to attend LDR. This experience has been invaluable to our boys, providing them with a safe and fun option for their now second overnight camp experience. This year, they gained confidence in being in a cabin by themselves without each other to lean on. We are so thankful that it is one place that we do not have to worry about how their behaviors will affect their ability to stay or not. It also gives my husband and me a short reprieve from managing behaviors 24/7. Thank you! My boys talk about their counselors for weeks after camp. They really make an impact on them!
Lonesome Dove is the highlight of our boys’ summer. This is the only camp that the youngest will attend without one of us there. Thanks for accommodating his eating issues and making them both feel safe and loved.
-Parent of a Camper
My son had so much fun at camp! He loved the jet skis and going fishing. He loves the teddy bear he made, and we love the photographs we received of all the fun adventures he had. He was talking about going back to camp as soon as I picked him up, and he told his camp counselors that he would be back to see them next year!
-Parent of a Camper
“A” really enjoyed her time at camp; she said seeing her name all over the place made her feel special. She loved hanging out & talking to the counselors who were assigned to her cabin. She even mentioned wanting to volunteer when she is of age to do so. She had a lot of fun and was grateful for the time she spent at camp. Her brother, “M,” was also able to attend camp and had a great deal of fun! He is still talking about it and enjoyed his time with the cabin crew leaders!
-Parent of a Camper
My daughter went to camp reluctantly, but when she came home from camp, she spent 45 minutes reading aloud from her journal with me, sharing what she had learned about Esther. Shout-out to all the people who generously gave their time to her and the other girls at camp. It has been a rough year, and I have been feeling her drifting from me and God. I believe God used her experience there to begin drawing her back to Him. Thank you all for pouring into her and for making the opportunity available to us!
-Parent of a Camper
“L” came home and has been talking nonstop about all the fun he experienced. I heard about jet skis, horseback riding, fishing, making hats, in which I am the recipient of a beautiful one, making pizzas, and all the new friends. He has made sure each of us has looked through his photo album with him so he can share his experience again and again. He shared with me some of his healing by writing his thoughts on a rock and being able to throw it away. He truly felt something with that, and I am so appreciative.
-Parent of a Camper
Donations by check can be mailed to:
Lonesome Dove Ranch
PO Box 99 Wyllie TX 75098
(All gifts are tax deductible)
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