Teen Ranch: Parent Interview with Rebecca Grant

Watch our Parent interview with Rebecca Grant to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at Teen Ranch.

Transcript of the interview

What’s unique about the program at Teen Ranch?

One of the things that stood out to me about Teen Ranch is the specialized programs they offer—specifically for hockey and horseback riding. My boys are very into hockey, and my girls love horses, so these programs were a perfect fit. When my son was 13, he attended the Elite Hockey Day Camp, which struck a great balance between dryland training and on-ice sessions. It was incredibly well organized, and the instructors were passionate and really helped him improve his skills.

This past summer, my daughters attended the English horseback riding day camp. Their mornings involved riding lessons, and in the afternoons, they had the option to go on trail rides. The structure allowed them to immerse themselves in what they love while learning and progressing in their abilities.

What would you highlight about this camp?

The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly have specialized training and certifications. They helped my daughters progress quickly in their riding. In fact, I feel like they learned more in one week than they did during all their lessons throughout the rest of the year. They came home talking about posting techniques, how instructors pointed out their mistakes in a way that felt encouraging, not critical. My girls even got to canter and go over jumps for the first time, which was a big milestone.

We chose Teen Ranch partly because of my husband’s personal connection—he went there as a kid and spoke so fondly of the experience. There were plenty of local camps we could have chosen for hockey or horseback riding, but the Christian atmosphere and strong memories he had made Teen Ranch stand out. The staff foster an environment that encourages excellence while also nurturing faith and community.

Have you seen personal growth in your children?

Absolutely. My son came home every day from hockey camp feeling encouraged by the quality of coaching and the environment of excellence. Being surrounded by like-minded players and trainers motivated him for his upcoming tryouts.

My girls came home full of excitement and pride in what they’d accomplished. But beyond the skill growth, I’ve seen deeper personal development, especially around faith and confidence. My husband remembered the campfires and leaders sharing their personal faith journeys, and I saw the same thing happening for our kids. The leaders are kind, authentic, and openly live out their faith in a way that makes a lasting impression.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at the camp myself, which gave me a behind-the-scenes view. The way the staff treated each other and cared for the kids was genuinely loving and aligned with the values we’re teaching at home and in our church. Seeing that kind of consistency outside the home is incredibly meaningful.

What would you tell other parents about the overall value of the camp?

Teen Ranch strikes a really thoughtful balance between structured activities and free time. In the afternoons, there’s a posted choice board at the lodge where kids can sign up for different options—crafts, swimming, archery, rock climbing, and more. My girls chose extra trail rides every day. My two older kids even tried the giant swing and came home full of stories.

That bit of freedom—time to roam, get an ice cream, sit outside with friends—was great for bonding and relationship-building. It wasn’t just about doing activities; it was about the personal moments they shared with leaders and peers. And the environment naturally lends itself to conversations about faith. Whether during devotions or just casual chats while walking the property, the camp created space for those meaningful connections to happen.

What do your children say about the experience?

The girls were thrilled with how much time they got to spend with the horses. Even at the end of the week, they asked to stop by the fence to say goodbye. They knew every horse by name. They tacked them up, fed them treats, groomed them, and of course, rode them. It was clearly a highlight.

But what really stood out to me was how much they talked about their leaders and coaches. My daughter got new breeches for camp as a birthday gift, and they ripped on the second day. She was really upset, but later told me how her instructor, Abby, reassured her that we could just sew them up together. That small moment meant a lot—she felt seen and cared for, and that really warmed my heart.

Final thoughts

While volunteering at the Junior Day Camp, I had the chance to speak with staff on several occasions. I was genuinely impressed with how invested they were. Many had come from out of town—or even out of the country—and they were clearly there for the right reasons.

One particular moment stuck with me. It was late August, and they had just wrapped up a long summer of overnight camps. I assumed they’d be relieved to switch to day camp, but when I asked, three different staff said the same thing: they preferred overnight camp. They told me they loved it because they had more time to get to know the kids, to build deeper relationships, and to walk alongside them in their faith. They valued those longer connections and evening devotion times. That level of commitment blew me away.

Teen Ranch is truly something special. The staff are there for the right reasons. They’re living their faith, serving with heart, and helping shape kids in powerful ways. It’s not just camp—it’s ministry. And that’s why we keep coming back.

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