COCHRANE— A local ranch is looking to connect youth and horses through a unique collection of spring and summer camps.
The Bar JO Ranch is currently gearing up for its second year of operations, said owner John Owens.
Bar JO Ranch was built on the foundations of the Griffin Valley Ranch, which had been running summer camps since 2009. Over the next decade, Griffin Valley became famous for its trail rides on the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
The ranch has been passed down for three generations and Owens grew up working with horses.
Owens was raised on the ranch and later took over operations of the Griffin Valley in 2009. The ranch closed to the public in 2019 to focus on livestock operations.
But, like a phoenix from the ashes, Bar JO Ranch launched in 2020 to replace the iconic ranches' renowned trail rides.
Owens said his children are getting to the age where they really enjoy riding horses and he and his wife Dani were inspired to launch Bar JO Ranch to share the experience with others.
“We’re glad to offer it and give our kids the same kind of experience I had as a kid,” Owens said.
Between COVID-19 public health measures and the long winter many youths have been lacking recreational activities and the ranch can serve as an opportunity for them to go out and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
They found success in 2020 when they first launched, Owens said, adding they enjoyed offering outside activities for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re looking forward to having kids out at the ranch,” Owens said.
In 2020 they saw more than 500 youth come to the camp and are hoping to host more children this summer.
The summer camp's focus on getting the youth and horses outside exploring the trails at the ranch, but on rainy days they can head into a large barn to learn horsemanship, Dani said.
“The main thing is getting them outside and getting them in the fresh air and getting them out of the busy city,” Owens said.
Alberta Health Services has provided detailed guidelines to the Bar JO Ranch to ensure the safety of campers and Dani draws on her experience as a nurse to create additional safety measures.
“I take what I do at my job and I bring it to the ranch. They probably get a little bit more than is necessary but I try and make it as safe as possible for everyone so it's enjoyable,” Dani said.
The ranch aims to make the camp as fun as possible for youth while ensuring everyone stays safe.
Masks are mandatory at the ranch, there is assigned seating on the buses, social distancing is in place, youth are kept in strict cohorts and temperatures are taken at the start and end of the day.
Alberta Health Services have visited the ranch and approved their documented policies and procedures.
Dani added experience with horses is not necessary to attend a summer camp.
She explained she did not grow up around horses and relates to youth who may be unfamiliar with the big animals. Her goal is to ensure they feel confident and comfortable so they can love horses as much as she does.
“We’ve had kids who have never seen a horse in their life come out,” Dani said. “Once we put them on the horses it’s an eye-opener for them and they just absolutely love it. They get tolerant different gaits, the walk, trot, canter, they learn how to control their horse, they learn how to be safe around their horse.”
It is exciting to see the youth’s confidence grow during the camp and the friendships they form with their horses. They have seen firsthand the impact the trust and companionship they share with their horses can have on their socialization skills and confidence.
Camps are available for youth between the age of five and 16. Young people are placed in cohorts with people the same age and three different groups are formed based on age, size and riding experience.
“We have 60 horses at the ranch, so we have a horse for everyone,” Owens said. “We have lots of good horses, lots of horses with spirits. There are all different colours and what one child may think is an ugly horse the other might find as a pretty horse— We’re lucky to have so many.”
The campers and horses become quick friends, and the end of the camps can often end in tears as they bid farewell to their new four-legged best friends, Dani said.
There are three sessions available for youth in July and August and two-day spring camps are available beginning in May.
The two-day camps are $250 and include transportation from Cochrane. The camps are similar to the full week experience, he said, just on a compressed scale.
“We are ready to go full swing this year,” Owens said.
