The opportunity to learn and gain hands on experience
What I wish was different
I wish I had been able to stay longer (health and school prevented this)
Advice
Remember to take time to rest in order to stay healthy.. Ranch life is fun but it's a lot of hard work.
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Videographer
May - July 2019 • Estes Park, CO
What I liked
Everything was amazing. The ranch is a place where the Lord is at work, and it is evident that is the case as soon as you step inside of its gates. I was able to work and be a part of eternal impact, changing the lives of husbands and wives, parents and children, and families altogether.
What I wish was different
Nothing at all.
Advice
You must have camera (photography, videography) skills to work in this position, and also a strong christian faith. The ranch is one of my favorite places on earth, and working there was truly a blessing.
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Horse Wrangler
May - August 2019 • Estes Park, CO
What I liked
Amazing community, great leadership, excellent room and board for summer staff, awesome horses that are very well trained. The head wrangler, Nick, was so very patient with all the wranglers and was always willing to teach you something new, whether it was about training the horses or medical treatments for horses or going over emergency scenarios one might encounter on the trail. I felt very well prepared and well-loved. The guests and staff alike became like family.
What I wish was different
If we could have all day off on Saturday, that would have been preferable, but I understand the dilemma in scheduling it that way.
Advice
Be willing to give it your all and you will receive so much more in return.
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Summer Staff - Wrangler
May - August 2019 • Estes Park, CO
What I liked
The staff was very connected and had amazing upper-management that helped grow us all as leaders and as individuals. The housing and meal accommodations were exceptional. The location was beautiful and the facilities had the rustic aesthetic while still being very well-cared for and preserved. I was able to work with a large variety of guests demographically and socially. The managers also worked around scheduling time for me to work on my online classes over the summer. Overall it was a great experience and I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is hardworking and loves Jesus, people, and adventure.
What I wish was different
I wish that there were more full days off, as many staff start to feel the pull of the long work days around mid-summer season. They have guests 5 1/2 days of the week, and have cabin turn-overs on Saturday mornings which can take a few hours. You really need to have good self-care habits to maintain working so many hours for so many weeks in a row, but it is more than worth the effort that you put into it.
Advice
I would say that this experience is what most would consider "once in a lifetime." You're changing lives of the guests that come to the ranch, but they will change yours as well. I would say apply early for a summer position, and be open-minded about their rotation policy in their staffing. You may end up working in a department that you think you'd dislike and end up loving it more than your original position.
