Quickwater and Sky Mountain Ranch Programs

Girls Session

The girls’ sessions take place at Quickwater Ranch in Victor, Idaho. Twenty-five girls, ages 13 through 16, are organized into five mixed-age groups. Each group is joined by an adult female mentor who works with them on chores, including cooking, cleaning, gardening, animal care, and other work around the Ranch. Strong friendships are built in a technology-free environment. As the girls learn to discover new talents, serve, discuss and have reflective time, spiritual receptivity is nurtured.

A Leadership Team of five or six girls, ages 17 and 18, who have been campers at the Ranch, act as assistants to the adult leaders, and as role models to the younger girls. They also teach various classes to the campers, such as guitar, ukelele, yoga, photography, woodworking, watercolor, and healthy living. Creativity and developing confidence in new skills are an integral part of the Ranch experience.

The Ranch is staffed by a mature couple that acts as directors, an adult female mentor for the Leadership Team, a food coordinator, and a couple that coordinates ervice opportunities for the girls in the community of Victor.

Along with skill-building, service, and chores, the girls enjoy work projects, river floating, mountain biking, backpacking, and various musical and craft experiences. The ranch is situated near the beautiful Teton mountain range, so hiking and nature activities are an important part of the week.

The Ranch program has a strong spiritual component. Each girl spends some quiet solitary time each day pondering, reading, and writing. Every day has a specific spiritual theme that is introduced by the Leadership Team and is discussed throughout the rest of the day.

Evening activities include games, campfires, discussions, and talent sharing. The girls sleep in small cabins with a shared bathhouse.

All the staff are volunteers, and the girls are not charged an admission fee.

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1st Session: June 17-June 27
2nd Session: July 10-July 19
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Boys Session

The boys’ session takes place at Sky Mountain Ranch, nestled at the mouth of Drake Canyon near Victor, Idaho, with a view of the valley and the Teton Mountain Range. Boys from the ages of 13 to 16 spend a technology-free week reconnecting to the natural world, making new friends, learning new work and creative skills, and deepening their spiritual receptivity.

The camp draws boys from across the country into a community that creates lasting bonds. They are organized into mixed-age groups, with adult mentors who live and work alongside them as they cook, garden, care for animals, clean, build fences, and serve the local community.

In addition to work projects and skill classes, the boys participate in recreational activities such as river floating, rock climbing, mountain biking, and backpacking in the nearby mountains. Evening activities include games, campfires, philosophical discussions, and talent sharing.

The boys’ session has a strong spiritual component. Boys spend quiet solitary time each day pondering, reading, and writing. Each day has a specific spiritual theme which is introduced in the morning and discussed throughout the day and into evening.

The Ranch is staffed by several mature couples, group mentors in their early twenties, and a Ranch Council of young men in their late teens who act as hosts and role models to the younger boys. The staff is all volunteer, and the boys are not charged an admission fee. All participants leave with stronger bonds of friendship, a greater capacity to work and create, and a deeper connection to the natural and spiritual world that surrounds them.

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap

1st Session: July 17-July 26
2nd Session: July 31-August 9
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Family Session

Located in the idyllic Teton Valley, the Quickwater and Sky Mountain Ranches offer a summer retreat that provides a unique opportunity for families of teens (ages 12-18). All family members age 8 and older are invited to come and participate in the varied programs and enjoy the beautiful mountain setting. Exceptions are occasionally made for younger children in the family. Unmarried, college age children are also welcome to attend with the family.

The programs are free to all participants. This is made possible by the many volunteers involved with the program and the participants themselves. During their stay participants may be asked to share their talents and assist in everything from teaching classes to milking goats.

This family program is technology-free and designed to provide a sanctuary from the busy chaotic modern lifestyle. It is also designed to strengthen relationships within families and with new friends by working and playing together. The days are spent participating in a variety of activities together and with other families. The activities vary from year to year. Activities could include hiking, river floating, mountain biking, pottery, wood working, yoga, tai chi, community service, gardening, animal care, craft classes, talent sharing, cooking, and scripture study.

We look forward to learning and growing with you. See you there!

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to QuickwaterMap to Sky Mountain

Dates: June 30-July 5 and July 7-11
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Winter Family Session

This year, we will gather at 7:30 pm on Thursday (2/13) and go until lunch on Monday (2/17)

Over this weekend, families will have opportunities to play in the snow together and participate in other winter activities at Sky Mountain Ranch. Activities include sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, snow fort/igloo building, snow sculpting, etc. Additionally, we will enjoy many indoor activities including music, games, visual arts, writing, woodburning, needle felting, and other crafts. We will also enjoy several workshop sessions for families. This session is designed for families with teenagers and other children down to and including the age of 8.

Each family will need to come fully prepared with their own winter clothing appropriate for outdoor activities (e.g. snow pants, boots, gloves, coats, hats, etc). However, gear for outdoor activities (such as skis, sleds, skates, and snowshoes) will be provided by the ranch. If you have your own gear (e.g. skates or cross-country skis), you are very welcome to bring them. Please note that downhill/alpine skiing is not part of this session.

Families will cook meals, do chores together, and participate with other families in events such as talent sharing, games, and daily devotionals. Please come prepared to share your talents and interests (both developed and budding) to enhance the collective experience of everyone at this session!

During this weekend, participants (especially youth) are encouraged to minimize or forgo the use of all personal electronic devices to promote more meaningful interactions among family members and other participants.

The Teton Valley is as stunningly beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer! Join us for this unique opportunity to build stronger relationships within your own family, and with others, as we live, learn, and play in this winter wonderland!

Submit ApplicationPacking ListMap to Sky Mountain

Dates: February 13-17
Application Deadline: December 15, 2024

Family Session for Children of All Ages

Located in beautiful Teton Valley, the Quickwater Ranch offers a summer retreat that provides a unique opportunity for families with children of all ages. All family members are invited to come and participate in the varied programs and enjoy the beautiful mountain setting.

The programs are free to all participants. This is made possible by the many volunteers involved with the program and the participants themselves. During their stay participants will be invited to share their talents and get up early to assist in the work of the ranch: milking goats, feeding pigs and chickens, gardening, fixing meals and helping to cleanup.

This family program is technology-free and designed to provide a sanctuary from the busy chaotic modern lifestyle. It is also designed to strengthen relationships within families and with new friends by working and playing together.

The days are spent participating in a variety of activities together and with other families. The activities vary from year to year. Activities may include hiking, community service, scripture study, mountain biking, wood working, pickleball, yoga, singing together, indoor and outdoor games, craft classes, and guitar or ukelele lessons.

We look forward to learning and growing with you. We hope to see you there!

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: June 10-14
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Father & Teen Session

Over these four days, fathers and their teenage children will have opportunities to ride their mountain bikes on some of the best trails in the western US, and participate in other activities on the ranch property. Activities will include mountain bike rides, kayaking, animal care, hiking, stargazing, woodburning, etc. This session is designed for fathers and their teenage children down to and including the age of 12. (Young adults may join their fathers and teenage siblings.)

Each father and teen will need to come fully prepared with their own clothing appropriate for mountain biking, working on the land and with animals, and other outdoor activities (e.g. breathable shirts/jerseys, padded biking shorts, helmets, shoes, gloves, sunglasses, water bottle etc). Each person should plan to bring their own mountain bike, but if a father or teen does not have a bike the ranch has a limited supply.

Fathers and teens will cook meals and do chores together as well as participate with other families in events such as talent sharing, games, and daily devotionals. Please come prepared to share your talents and interests (both developed and budding) to enhance the collective experience of everyone at this session!

To encourage greater interaction among all during this session, participants (especially youth) are encouraged to minimize or forgo the use of all personal electronic devices.

Teton Valley is stunningly beautiful in the summer! Come join us for this unique opportunity to build stronger relationships within your own family, and with others, as we live, learn, and play in this wonderful area!

Download Application Packing List Map to Quickwater

Dates: TBD
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Mother & Teen Art Session

A mother-teen art retreat will be held on July 8-12 for mothers and their children ages 12 and up. With the ranches and surrounding nature as a backdrop, we will explore different mediums together. The aim is to not only create art and explore creativity but to develop closer bonds and relationships. No artistic experience or skill is needed to enjoy the session. We will also enjoy service, hiking, music, and learning together with art.

Mothers and teens will cook meals and do chores together as well as participate with other families in events such as talent sharing, games, and daily devotionals. Please come prepared to share your talents and interests (both developed and budding) to enhance the collective experience of everyone at this session!

To encourage greater interaction among all during this session, participants (especially youth) are encouraged to minimize or forgo the use of all personal electronic devices.

Teton Valley is stunningly beautiful in the summer! Come join us for this unique opportunity to build stronger relationships within your own family, and with others, as we live, learn, and play in this wonderful area!

Download Application Packing List Map to Sky Mountain

Dates: June 28-July 2
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Young Families Session

Parents with young children meet for five days at Quickwater Ranch (Thursday afternoon through Monday morning). We share the joys and challenges of raising children as we participate in workshops and discussions. We enjoy meeting new friends and gathering with old ones as we work, learn, and play together in beautiful Teton Valley.

Each family who participates will be invited to attend with their children under the age of five. Days include parent workshops, family activities, eating together, helping with ranch chores, and evening discussions. Experienced volunteers will be on hand to care for the children during workshops and evening discussions. Families will sleep in beds in the main house.

The programs are free to all participants. This is made possible by the many volunteers involved with the program, a non-profit organization, and the participants themselves. During their stay participants may be asked to share their talents and assist in everything from teaching classes to milking goats.

To connect with each other more fully, we minimize the use of cell phones during the session.

We look forward to learning and growing with you. See you there!

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: July 31-August 4
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Retreat for Mothers of Teens

Mothers of teens (ages 12-18) will have the opportunity to gather together at Quickwater and Sky Mountain Ranch for a mothers retreat. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the joys and challenges of mothering teens as we participate in workshops and discussions. We will strengthen ourselves and our families as we learn and create together.

There is no charge for the retreat, but we do encourage participants to volunteer to share their expertise (or something you are learning) with each other. Participants are invited to lead skills classes, workshops, and seminars on a variety of topics relevant to parenting and personal growth.

You will have the opportunity to hike, sing, cook, eat, play and talk with other mothers. Sleeping accommodations are in beds in the main house, cabins, and bunkhouses.

Mothers Retreat ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: September 19-22
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Retreat for Mothers of Single Adults

Many of the women who have attended our retreats for mothers of teens have expressed the wish that they could continue to attend retreats after their children have gone beyond the teenage years and have entered the world of single adults. We will have a retreat for those mothers. Women qualify if they have single adult children. Women who have not attended any of our other sessions are also eligible.

We will share experiences and insights as we participate in parenting workshops and have opportunities to socialize, cook, work in the garden, share talents, play games, hike, relax, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: March 19-22
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Parents of Teens & Young Adults Retreat

Parents of teenagers and young adults meet together for 4 days at Quickwater Ranch. We share the joys and challenges of nurturing our children as we participate in workshops and discussions. We enjoy meeting new friends and gathering with old ones as we work together, learn together, play together, create together, and relax and hike in the beautiful surroundings of Teton Valley.

There is not a hired staff, and part of the fun is joining together to do the cooking and other work around the ranch, including sharing talents and giving service in the local community. Participants are encouraged to leave their electronics at home and invited to bring their musical instruments and ideas for family enrichment.

We sleep in beds in the main house or in the staff cabin and have meals and activities in the lodge. This retreat takes place in the spring, and the weather is unpredictable.

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: May 7-10
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Family Stewardship Retreat

Grandparents and parents of adult children, will meet at Quickwater Ranch as spring comes to Teton Valley, when the aspen trees are leafing out, the air is fresh and the atmosphere is serene. We look forward to being nurtured together by our surroundings and by each other. We welcome anyone with spouses and those without.

We will be staying in rooms in the main house at Quickwater. The beds have clean linens which we will each wash, then remake as we leave. We will be cooking healthy meals for each other in the lodge.

We will have discussions and workshops on developing and strengthening healthy family relationships with adult children and grandchildren, and strengthening our own personal foundations. The group will also share practical ideas for dealing with common family challenges.

In addition, the weekend will be filled with time outdoors, music, games, free time and socializing. We invite you to bring musical instruments, books and favorite games, along with your good cheer and wisdom.

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: May 14-17
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Children of Aging Parents Session

Adult children will meet at Sky Mountain Ranch in early May when the air is crisp and the atmosphere is serene. We look forward to being nurtured together by our surroundings and by each other. We welcome anyone with spouses and those without.

We will have discussions and workshops on supporting aging parents, developing and strengthening healthy family relationships during this special season of life, and strengthening our own personal foundations. The group will also share practical ideas for caring for aging parents in a variety of circumstances.

In addition, the weekend will be filled with time outdoors, music, games, free time and socializing. We invite you to bring musical instruments, books and favorite games, along with your good cheer and wisdom.

Download ApplicationPacking ListMap to Quickwater

Dates: May 8-10
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Fathers (or grandfathers) & Young Single Adults Session

What better way to spend Father's Day than at Sky Mountain! Young single adults (18-35), grab your fathers and/or grandfathers and come join us for an amazing weekend of recreation, service, learning and discussions.

We will cook meals and do chores together as well as participate with other families in events such as talent sharing, games, discussions, and daily devotionals. Please come prepared to share your talents, interests, doubts, questions, insights, and excitement to enhance the collective experience of everyone at this session!

Teton Valley is stunningly beautiful in the summer! Come join us for this unique opportunity to build stronger relationships within your own family, and with others, as we live, learn, and play in this wonderful area!

Submit Application Packing List Map to Sky Mountain

Dates: June 13-16
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

Young Single Adult Session

Young single adults ages 18-28, both those who have participated in various Sky Mountain and Quickwater Ranch programs and those who are new, come together for a long weekend in Victor, ID. We share the joys and challenges of young adulthood as we participate in workshops and discussions. It is an opportunity to work, learn, and create together as we enjoy beautiful Teton Valley.

There is no charge for the retreat, but we do encourage participants to volunteer to share their expertise with each other. Participants are invited to lead skills classes, workshops, and seminars on a variety of topics relevant to the YSA experience. We have woodworking supplies, pottery supplies, art supplies, music supplies, and a variety of recreational equipment.

The retreat is centered on the ranch’s ideals of discipleship and love, and how we as YSA are able to apply these principles to build fulfilling and service-filled futures.

Submit Application Map to Sky Mountain

Dates: August 13-17
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025

Young Married Couples Retreat

Located in the idyllic Teton Valley, the Sky Mountain Ranch offers a retreat that provides a unique opportunity for young married couples.

Married couples (ages 18-26) meet together for 4 days at Sky Mountain Ranch. We share the joys and challenges of marriage as we participate in workshops and discussions. We enjoy meeting new friends and gathering with old ones as we work together, learn together, play together, create together, and relax and hike in the beautiful surroundings of Teton Valley.

The programs are free to all participants. This is made possible by the many volunteers involved with the program, a non-profit organization, and the participants themselves. During their stay participants may be asked to share their talents and assist in everything from teaching classes to milking goats. Couples will cook meals and do chores together as well as participate with other families in events such as talent sharing, games, and daily devotionals. Please come prepared to share your talents and interests (both developed and budding) to enhance the collective experience of everyone at this session! We have woodworking supplies, pottery supplies, art supplies, music supplies, and a variety of sports equipment.

This program is technology-free and designed to provide a sanctuary from the busy chaotic modern lifestyle. All participants are asked to leave their electronics at home and invited to bring their musical instruments and thoughts about strengthening marriage relationships. We also request that cell phones only be used for coordinating activities. Face to face personal interaction plays a key role in all that we do at the ranch. We sleep in beds in the main house or the cabins with sleeping bags and have meals and activities in the lodge. We look forward to learning and growing with you. See you there!

Submit Application Map to Sky Mountain

Dates: August 29-September 1
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Alumni Retreat

What

We’re inviting past mentors, L-team, Ranch Council members and campers from Sky Mountain and Quickwater Ranches who are young single adults (ages 18-28) to join us to work in the gardens and clean-up the ranch facilities. We thought this would be a fun opportunity to give back to the ranches while thinking about how we can perpetuate the values of these ranches.

Sample Schedule

• 6:30 Opening Dinner at Sky Mountain lodge
• 7:30 Evening activities
• 10:00 Retire to cabins/bunkhouses to sleep at Sky Mountain

• 8:30 Breakfast
• 9:30 Work Activities
• 12:30 Lunch
• 2:00 Work Activities
• 6:00 Dinner
• 7:30 Evening Activities (games, visiting, talents, etc.)
• 10:30 Retire to cabins/bunkhouses to sleep

• 8:00 Breakfast
• 9:00 Church
• 1:30 Closing Lunch
• 3:00 Depart

Registration

Due to the housing setup we are not able to accommodate married couples. (If you are a married alum that is interested in giving back, contact the Jacobsens, Schmidts, or Pulsiphers to discuss other opportunites to participate in the ranch programs.)

What to Bring

• Sleeping bag (or fitted sheet and blanket), pillow, towel, toiletries, sunscreen
• Work clothes and shoes, gardening gloves, sun hat, water bottle, jacket
• Sunday clothes and shoes
• Scriptures and journal
• Games and musical instruments

Submit ApplicationMap to Sky Mountain

Dates: September 16-18
Application Deadline: September 1, 2022

Giving to Sky Mountain and Quickwater Ranch Programs

The programs at Quickwater and Sky Mountain are run entirely by volunteers and operating costs are funded by the California Family Foundation. If you would like to donate your time to the programs, reach out to the director of the program you are interested in helping with. If you would like to donate money, you can do that via a charitable donation to the California Family Foundation.

You can donate directly via PayPal using the link below or you should be able to find the California Family Foundation as a charity if you use a donor-advised fund.

California Family Foundation
50 Terminal Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Charity Tax ID: 77-0053005