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Published often and occasionally by the campers and staff of Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch in the interest of news, fun, and ... Good Camping!

Vol 1  |  Winter 2014  |  No. 2

Dear Campers, Parents, Staff, Alumni, and Friends,

RainIt's raining!

After four months with hardly a drop, it has finally begun raining here on the Ranch.  On Thursday, February 6th, we pulled out the Hayfork Creek Car Bridge, roughly three months later than when we typically remove it.  The pastures and meadows are already greener, and with the river coming up, we brought the horses back from the Bar 7 and settled them into the barn.
 
With the ground now good and soaked, we can get started planting 5000 fir and pine seedlings on portions of the Ranch that were burned in 2008.  Replanting is the last step in the restoration process, which began four years ago with clearing, stacking, and burning dead trees and brush.  Our past plantings have done well, with about 90% of the trees surviving.  A few more spring showers and we should have 4500 new trees growing on the Ranch in the years to come.
 
Along with the rain, we’ve been getting a steady stream of applications from new and returning Counselors, and many enrollments for Camp.  We are excited to again be offering a special one-week backpacking trip for 17 year olds (Aug 3-9) and a Music Camp (Aug 18-21) for all ages.  Look for more information on the website, and in this issue of Campservations.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested in learning more about the Bar 717 Ranch, then please plan to attend one of our Open Houses.   Dates and times can be found on our website News page.
 
Best wishes from all of us here at the Ranch,
 
Kent Collard, Director

Did You Know ... ?

Horses on the Range…That we just brought the horses in from the range in the first week of February?  They had been enjoying their freedom across the river at the Bar 7 like a herd of wild Mustangs.
 
…That 12 piglets will be joining us here at the Ranch in March?  No doubt they will be looking forward to the first day of Camp as much as any of you, anticipating the slop buckets full of kitchen scraps.
 
…That Shinto, Cenezia, Ukiah, Big Red, Sassy, Holster and Tut are spending the winter at the UC Davis Equestrian Center?  Our Bar 717 Ranch horses are used in the introductory Western riding lessons offered to Davis students by the Equestrian Center instructors.
 
….That Rain was retired from the herd and moved to Marin County to live with a Camp family who loves her?
 
…That the Nature Conservancy held a three-day training on the Ranch last October for firefighters from all over the US who were learning how to manage prescribed burns?  They lit prescribed fires here on the Ranch that burned 112 acres in a controlled way to remove brush and other fuels, convert forest litter into nutrients trees can use, and to increase browse plants for our livestock.
 
…That Sam Grossman and Emma Bundy moved to the Ranch in January?  They are helping us out as Caretakers, feeding the animals, pruning fruit trees, and doing a wonderful job of looking after the Ranch. 

Bar 717 Ranch Volunteer Work Weekend

Ranch WorkWhat are you doing this coming April 4-7th
 
Because (since you asked!) we will be hosting a volunteer work weekend at the Bar 717 Ranch.

All are welcome.  No skill necessary. Come join the extended Camp Trinity community and help us with hands-on projects that will make Camp better for all.

Read All About It ...

You Are Never Too Old for Camp!

Trinity Alps BackpackingOnce again this summer, we are offering a one-week backpacking trip in the Trinity Alps, exclusively for 17-18 year-old campers, August 3-9th.  Our seasoned trip leaders will plan a route that includes all the spectacular scenery which the Alps are known for: lush meadows, icy blue lakes, awe inspiring views, and jagged granite peaks. 
 
Questions?  Email us or call us in the office (530) 628-5992. You can enroll online here.

You Can Make the Mountains Ring

Music CampThe Bar 717 Ranch is considering offering a Music Camp this summer for music enthusiasts (adults and potentially children) who would like to spend time playing music, learning new instruments from instructors, singing, and exploring the ranch. Music camp would be offered August 17th–21st, and be open to anyone interested in participating.

Please let us know if you would be interested in Music Camp by taking this 2 minute survey, so we can plan appropriately.

Open Houses

Music CampAlthough our Los Angeles open houses for the season are just finished, we still have upcoming open houses in the Bay Area for folks who are interested in getting to know a little more about camp.  If you have friends who might be interested, please encourage them to attend.  Our next open house is:

Berkeley, March 2nd 10AM-12PM, 
Fireside Room at Live Oak Park
1301 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

Bar 717 Campership Program Update

by David Rosenstein

After raising $30,000 for the Bar 717 Campership Fund in 2013, which enabled 30 deserving children and teens to spend a session at camp last summer, David Rosenstein stepped up to the challenge to sponsor 40 campers this year. Read about the effort and learn how you can pitch in ...

New Year's at the Ranch

by Mischa Hedges

Several years ago, a small group of alumni counselors started coming up to the ranch for New Year’s – to celebrate the holiday, connect with camp friends, and enjoy the beauty of the ranch during wintertime. Over time, the New Year's group has grown to include family and
Read More ...

Contribute!

by YOU!

Did you like this issue of Campservations? Let us know! If you have ideas about how to make it better or what you'd like to see in coming issues, let us know those too. Most importantly, if you want to pitch in and contribute news, a story, a picture, a poem, we'd love these most of all. You can contribute here.

The Bar 717 Ranch

Mountain Ranch living for children ages 8-16
Established 1930
email: camptrinity@bar717.com
phone: (530) 628-5992
website: www.bar717.com
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