Chauncey Ranch

This summer was spent working at Chauncey Ranch as a camp counselor/outdoor eduction teacher. I started working there in February of '07 as rock climbing instructor and teaching schools outdoor ed. After teaching outdoor ed summer time had begun and I was hired on as a camp counselor. I lived on the ranch in a room that was 6'x8' and was my home until camp started. While waiting for camp to start 2 other guys showed up a few weeks early and were placed in that room with me. Jeremy and Nick were there names. We became very close in those few weeks working around the ranch doing a number of things from cleaning to hard physical labor.

We had staff training week, which was spent planning and preparing for the children to arrive. Which included more cleaning and cleaning. Once everyone arrived we spent time getting to know each other. The boys included Jeremy, Nick, Chris, Jesus, Cesar, and Cesar. The girls included Danielle, Amanda, Meridith, Cameron, Mattie, Erin, and Janessa. We all became close friends well the guys anyways.

The first week of camp I was placed with nine to ten year old boys with Jesus. Him and I spent 4 weeks working with the same age group. It was fun and was long hours. Jesus decided to quit and get a better job that actually paid money which I wish I had did! So they moved me to work with the youngest kids. That age group was 7-8 year olds, although I had kids older then that too. This was the age group that I stayed with for the rest of the camp summer. The were know as the cow pokes and only stayed for three days at a time.

During the first couple of weeks working there I inherited as son along with my girlfriend who also worked at this camp and where I meet her. She is a wonderful person and I am very happy that we meet. Our son was Danny a little boy that was nine years old and one of the cutest little kids I have ever meet! Kilee (my girlfriend) and I gave this kid everything he wanted.

So... To need the long summer. I walked away with several things; life lesson, ability to work with others and children, parenting skills, a wonderful girlfriend, and many other things.
This is the climbing wall and zip line that I ran. It is a 45 foot tower. There is also high ropes with is approximately 25 foot off the ground. There is also the Pamper Pole which is a pole that is 35 feet of the ground that you jump off of and try to grab a trapeze bar which is 6 feet away.