We’ve had the joy of welcoming three new staff babies over the past few months!
Edmond James was born in October of 2024 to Daniel and Cherish Benedict. Daniel serves in our School of Discipleship. They are both alumni of our S.O.D. program. At the end of December, Rowan Jude was born to Chad and Miriam Martin. Chad works in our School of Discipleship as Student Coordinator and part time as Ranch Bookkeeper. He and Miriam are both alumni of the program.
Tobias Lee was born to Adam and Chelsea Marshall in January of 2025. Adam works in the Operations department and is also an alumni of our S.O.D.
It has been a joy to meet and watch these little ones grow over the past few months. Each of them was welcomed into a home with older siblings so they are getting lots of extra love from them as well! Their moms are all an active and integral part of our ministry, so it’s very common to see them around camp with a little one strapped on to them.
Some of our older staff kids are enjoying getting horseback riding lessons from the barn staff once a week. They also have the opportunity to learn vaulting (gymnastics on horseback) and do a demonstration for the public at Open House on Memorial Day. One of the boys is learning to weld alongside the students under the watchful eye of one of our teen operations staff. There is a pack of young boys who are becoming quite skilled in Pickleball and Corn Hole due to many opportunities to practice!
Growing up at camp is full of unique experiences, some hard, but always riddled with blessings and opportunities that might not otherwise be there. Many of our staff kids take on summer jobs around the Ranch as they get older. At first this may look like helping the lawn crew, doing meal prep or cleanup, restocking candy in the Buckboard store, or working in the Critter Corral. Many have become counselors, horsemanship instructors, programming assistants and even come on staff full time!
