Posted on 11/22/2004 10:03:14 AM PST by TexasCowboy
As many of you know, I'm in the process of building a retreat for disadvantaged children at Rock Island, Texas.
Don't let the word, "disadvantaged" throw you.
I'm not one that believes that it takes a "village" to raise a child, but I do know that there a lot of single parents out there with children who don't have the time or the money to provide their children with the pleasures which children used to take for granted.
There are many children's retreats across this country, but there are very few to which any child can go without paying a fee. This eliminates a lot of kids.
My motto will be: "A child's pleasure should have no price tag."
My intent is to build a place where the kids can come on the weekends to play with baby animals, ride a horse, plant a garden, fish in a lake, milk a cow, and, in general, do the things so many of us did as children to which so many children today do not have access.
I'd like for as many children as possible to enjoy God's bounty, and realize that the world is not encompassed by the TV or the computer.
If y'all remember Tom Hank's performance in "Big" (regardless of his political affiliation), you will understand why I'm posting this vanity.
I need help.
I need help from the five to ten year olds in your household.
If they had a day or a weekend in the country, what would they like to do?
I won't bore you with details of future ideas for disabled children, but I do need to plan for the immediate needs.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
I need to stress, I'm not asking for donations; I just need ideas.
Thank you so very much, and may God bless our children.
Future home of Fields of Faith:
cob1@addr.com
Pinging some friends!
Pinging some more friends!
How big is the property?
And some more!
Twenty-five acres.
Pretty sure some of y'all can help!
Pinging young parents...!
Anyone have homeschool ping lists they'd like to hit? I'm sure that would get the ideas coming in, TC.
WOW Cowboy this is wonderful!!
Let me do some big time thinking and I'll get back to you.
Thinking is a process for me!! :-)
Oh, and God Bless ya real good!
Good luck with your venture.
God Bless
What they do at simular type of camp near here is provide first and formost an organized routine, then you just plug in activities throughout the day into that. canoeing, swimming, hiking, fishing etc. depending on what you have available. Are you planning one week stays, 2 weeks, a month? One camp plans one month blocks so everyone starts at the same time.The place is always full all summer.
A good place you might want to look for ideas is other camps, see how they are structured.
Thanks!
BTTT!!!!!!!
Absolutely awesome TC! *HUGS*
My children don't get to venture to the country very often. When we take the kids to visit relatives in Texas, Ohio, and Oklahoma, they just love it.
A few of the activities that my oldest always begs from our relatives when we visit are the following:
He had the opportunity to do some target shooting. I was kind of terrified about him doing it, but I felt better when the gun safety lecture was explained. He has definitely learned to appreciate the power, usefulness, and the dangers of shooting a rifle.
Noodling was also one of his favorite things to do. I personally wasn't overwhelmed by it, but I'm not a kid. I would have probably loved it when I was younger.
Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs is something he loves to do. Many folks take it for granted, but for children that do not live in the country..it can be the neatest experience to sit around the fire, make Smores, and chat.
Tire swings that allow the kids to jump out into the water is also an amusement.
There are many things I took for granted growing up my farming community. I spent many years dreaming about getting away. I'll probably spend my whole adult life trying to get back. Children and the country are an excellent mix. It allows them to dream and spark the adventurous spirit they all have.
God Bless you for doing this.
*HUGS*
I'm concerned about horses in general because a riding stable in Kerrville was sued recently when a child fell off a horse. I don't know the extent of the injuries, but the stable had to close it's doors.
There's a lot of things I need legal advice on.
DG I just found a weekend job for you and your legal team! ;-)
That's the kind of ideas I need!
I hadn't thought of a tire swing, and I don't know why.
That's all I ever had.
I'd planned for campfires and weinie roasts. Kids love that stuff.
I'd love to have a small gun range for the kids, but I've got to give that a lot of thought. That's a tremendous responsibility.
What is "noodling"?
Build a small rifle range.
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