Mo-Ranch Summer Camp

THE MO-RANCH EXPERIENCE

What makes camp so exciting? Is it the fun counselors? The challenging Big Gulp? The silly songs we sing? The incredible friends you make? It’s that and so much more. Camp is a life-changing experience where your camper will grow in independence, build confidence and grow in their faith. Children have many things to worry about in school, like homework or after-school activities, so much so that sometimes they don’t have enough time to just “be.” At summer camp, we provide activities and space for kids to feel like kids, to form relationships and to experience the world around them in a different way. Camp isn’t just about doing things, but about making memories that will last a lifetime! Somewhere between the opening campfire and the last worship, you leave with a sense of accomplishment, a hunger for adventure and a sense of family.

At Mo-Ranch, we believe that when we give children opportunities to challenge themselves and to grow, they will surprise us by taking those challenges head on. When we experience a child jumping off the zip line for the first time or showing off their talent at the talent show, we know we have given them a place to thrive. We hope to offer that experience to every child who comes through our gate. Community is a big part of our Christian lives. At summer camp, we want campers to experience what community really means. By living together, eating together, playing and learning together, we find that a real Christian community is possible.

Why your child will love Mo-Ranch Summer Camp

Fun and activities!

Mo-Ranch has something for every camper. Whether your child seeks adventure, classic camp activities, or is into the arts, Mo-Ranch has it all! We offer activities ranging from rappelling off the catwalk and whizzing down our 480-ft zip line, to swimming in the crystal clear water of the Guadalupe River, to creating a masterpiece under the tutelage of a professional artist.

Friendships!

Friendships are an integral part of the camp experience. There is something about living in a community together that encourages friendships to develop, grow, and flourish. Whether it is because of the screen-free day-to-day life that allows more time to connect, the successes and failures experienced side-by-side, or the camp traditions that are practiced together year after year, camp friends often become lifelong friends.

Why you will love Mo-Ranch Summer Camp

A safe and nurturing environment

Your child will be under the care and supervision of trained, qualified counselors in a Christian setting. Our counselors serve as role models and mentors and model a Christian lifestyle. Mo-Ranch Summer Camp counselors and staff members are carefully selected for their responsibility, spiritual maturity, leadership skills, love for children and activity knowledge. Many of our staff are past campers and have grown up enjoying Mo-Ranch programs.

Small staff-to-camper ratios

The American Camp Association (ACA) has a minimum staff-to-camper ratio that ranges from 1:6 to 1:10, varying based upon the ages and needs of the campers. Mo-Ranch Summer Camp believes that smaller ratios are better for overall morale, bonding and building community in each session. Smaller ratios also ensure better safety for our campers and one-on-one attention. Because of this, our average staff-to-camper ratio is intentionally small—it’s currently 1:3!

Role models

All counselors must have completed one year of college and go through comprehensive reference checks, a criminal background check and drug screening. Counselors receive specific training in areas such as child behavior management, age level expectations, safety and emergency procedures and child abuse prevention. Additionally, counselors receive certifications in first aid and CPR. We hire counselors that are more than fun and enthusiastic—they are counselors that are role models and embody a Christian lifestyle.

A Christian atmosphere

All campers participate in a daily Bible study that is relevant and age appropriate and that focuses on a relationship with Jesus Christ that is relevant and age appropriate. Wherever your child is at on his/ her spiritual journey, Mo-Ranch Summer Camp staff is there to guide and foster your child as he/she develops a deeper connection to God.

Benefits of Overnight Camp

Freedom

At Mo-Ranch Summer Camp, it’s all about enjoying the ride. Unlike at home, where oftentimes emphasis is put on getting straight A’s or making the top team in sports, at Mo-Ranch you are present in the moment and able to enjoy each activity or new adventure without added pressures or expectations. Campers are free to be their true selves.

Ability to “better read” peers

Unplugging is good! A recent study shows that sixth-graders that gave up all technological devices cold turkey for just five days and attended outdoor camp were substantially better at reading human emotions than their peers that did not. In a world full of smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs, your child might balk at the idea of not having access to screens during their time at Mo-Ranch. However, upon arrival until departure on the last day, technology will be the last thing on your child’s mind. Your child will enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, engage in teamwork, and build friendships – all while communicating face-to-face. In today’s society, these skills are often hard to develop and grow when many aspects of one’s everyday life revolves around technology.

Independence

Children learn to figure things out without their parents, learn to live with other kids, become engaged members of a community, and discover their likes and dislikes by trying out new things. These are invaluable lessons that are imperative for a successful adult life.

Healthy risk-taking

Whether it’s taking a fish off the line for the first time or taking the lead role in a group skit, camp can nudge a child outside comfort zones. Camp is a great place for a child to try something new in a safe environment!