Mountain Meadow Ranch

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Mountain Meadow Ranch, also known as MMR, is a family-owned three-week summer camp for boys and girls aged 7-17, located near Susanville, California, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, 75 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada. It boasts one of the highest return rates of any camp, averaging at about 70% campers returning to come the next year.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Originally a hunting camp for the indigenous Maidu Native Americans, in 1902 the ranch came under the ownership of wealthy hunter George Wingfield, who first homesteaded the area. The ranch was called "Meadowbrook" at this time, and had two small "lakes" nearby named "Lake George" (right next to the big house) and "Lake Jean", after George Wingfield's children. After going through several other changes, Mountain Meadow Ranch was founded as an all-boys summer camp in 1956 by professional football player Jack Ellena, Sr. and his wife Jacquie Ellena when they acquired it shortly after Jack graduated from UCLA. At the insistence of sisters, the camp opened to girls in the early 1960s, and it has been open to both genders ever since.[1]

[edit] Activities

Mountain Meadow offers a wide range of activities, including:[2]

[edit] Staff and Directors

The ranch is owned by Jack "Chip" Ellena, Jr. and wife Jody Ellena, who have been running the camp as head directors since 1993. Also directing as co-directors are Chris Rauen, Chuck & Casia Smith and "Big Wave" Dave & Lydia Kniffin. The staff and counselors at Mountain Meadow are typically between the ages of 19-24 and most have completed at least one year of college. [1]

[edit] Philosophy

Mountain Meadow states its philosophy as to provide a fun, safe environment for children to enjoy their summers, offering new experiences and allowing development of new social and physical skills. [3]

[edit] Camp family

While Mountain Meadow offers range of high-quality activities, the directors assert it is the sense of camp family that keeps campers coming back year after year. Described as a "home away from home" by many returners, Mountain Meadow aims to be a place where one can forget his or her insecurities and be oneself.[3]

[edit] Áj Ypékanbe

A Maidu saying meaning "serve all," the principles of Aj Ypekanbe (ajsh-ip-ay-kan-bee) were introduced in the summer of 2005 by directors Chuck and Casia to target the "core ideal of the Mountain Meadow Camp Family." It aims to help campers and staff alike to grow as individuals and improve their character traits, enhancing the camp experience as a whole. The six core characteristics are as follows:[3]

  • Inclusiveness
  • Listening
  • Empathy
  • Encouragement
  • Stewardship
  • Service

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Meadow Ranch - About Us
  2. ^ Meadow Ranch - A Typical Day
  3. ^ a b c Meadow Ranch - Philosophy

[edit] External links

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Camping Facilities in the state of California