The Ranch Experience
** IMPORTANT NOTICE **
The staff at the M-Bar-C would like to take this opportunity to let you know that the Ranch Experience Programs and the Ranch facilities are now being managed directly by the Forgotten Childern's Fund and it's board members. Like so many other organizations, the M-Bar-C has faced some challenging economic times and a decision was reached to manage the ranch and it's programs with a group of volunteers, managed by the FCF board members. This change becomes effective February 26, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact the following FCF board members:
Doug Moeller Program contact doug@dougmoeller.com 425-488-8225
Dick Nord Equine contact dnord@nordnw.com 360-661-6529
Don Rall Facility contact ralldj@yahoo.com 206-363-0818
Buzz Larson Equipment contact fcf1@freeland.net 206-909-9095
The Ranch was purchased in the mid ‘70’s by group of Seattle area families for the purpose of allowing their children to experience recreation opportunities outside the city. The ranch served them well until mid 1980 when the kids grew up and their interests changed. The owners of the ranch, some of whom were the founders of The Forgotten Children’s Fund, realized that the ranch could serve some of the same children that other FCF programs served. Contact was made with various groups of handicapped and ill children and their families. The program grew as further contact was made with groups such as The Ronald McDonald House, special education facilities, Northwest Burn Foundation, Ryther Child Center and others working with special needs kids. This was the seed that has sprouted into the Ranch Experience Project.
At any time there are between three and six paid full or part time staff people on site but the core and “heart” of the ranch is the volunteer base. More than 50 volunteers of all ages and abilities make the Ranch Experience Program possible. While owned and operated by The Forgotten Children’s Fund it would be fiscally impossible to operate a program of this size without the best group of volunteers on earth!
Interested in more information? Please email mbarcranch@whidbey.com
Ranch Experience Program, Participation Forms
A Typical Day at the Ranch
10:00 Guests arrive (time is approximate, depends on group, where they are from, ferry, etc)
- Introductions
- Review basic rules
- Cowboy Creed
10:15 Cowboy Up
- Explore Costume Shop
- Get dressed up
- Check out the town
10:45 Horse Stuff
- Review procedure for horse rides (must wear helmet, get in line, one ride each until all have had one turn).
- Get helmet
- Stand in line for your turn
- Mount up and have your picture taken with your horse (will be given to chaperone for distribution on the way home)
- Dismount and thank the wranglers
- Return helmet
- At this time you may go to the back of the line for another ride
- Those finished with riding are free to play in Cowboy Town
12:00 Chow Time
- Round everyone up and head over for lunch
- Wash up
- Grab your grub and cowboy punch
- Wash up, toss your garbage, etc
- Free time
1:00 Wagons Ho
- Gather those interested and head out to the wagon
- Trail hand goes over the plan
- Load up and off we go
Playtime until departure
- Arts & crafts activities
- Play with the costumes or in cowboy town
- Optional walk over to feed carrots to the horses
- Games
On Departure, Adios and Farewell
- Thanks for coming and words from the Cowboys
- Load up, wave good-bye