Teen Ranch

Stories

• Why Teen Ranch?
  Because it’s more than a camp.
  
  It’s a place where kids discover courage on horseback trails and in the quiet moments before a jump. Where teamwork is forged on the ice, and confidence grows with every goal and every cheer. It’s where faith becomes real through daily devotion and the beauty of creation. It’s where laughter rings out across the fields, where staff become mentors, and where strangers become lifelong friends.
  
  At Teen Ranch, kids unplug from screens and reconnect with nature, community, and purpose. They face challenges, build resilience, and find joy in the simple things — sunrise rides, muddy games, and nights filled with singing under the stars.
  
  It’s a place where courage is learned, friendships are built, and faith is strengthened.
  A place where every camper, no matter their story, can discover who God made them to be.
  
  Because when a child leaves Teen Ranch, they don’t just go home with memories — they go home changed.
• More than a Ranch, More than just Teens

  If you are new to Teen Ranch or have never heard about us here is an introduction of who we are and what we do.

  In 1961, Mel Stevens went to Australia with his first wife, Janet, and baby boy, Tim along with four other couples from a gospel music group to start Teen Ranch Australia. Mel and Janet directed the camp there drawing no wage for six years before returning to Canada to start a Teen Ranch Canada. With 10 dollars in their pockets, two more children and faith in God’s leading and proven goodness, the Lord provided. The Lord continued to be faithful in Mel's life when Janet got cancer and eventually passed away at the age of 49. In 1985 Mel remarried to his now wife Betty. They both continue to live happily on site at Teen Ranch Canada. 

  What you see and experience here today is a result of the faithfulness and obedience of this couple and their family to start Teen Ranch Canada which has been operating for over 45 years. The first summer camp started in 1967 with 6 kids and has now grown to 130 per week. There are also now Teen Ranches in Scotland, France, Romania, Poland, Kenya and Indonesia.

  Besides summer camps, Teen Ranch is host to weekly school groups, church groups, business people, soccer and hockey teams - local as well as Olympic, International and NHL teams. Our summer camps offer horse, hockey, soccer, BMX, and extreme camps

  This place is here for you to enjoy and we trust you will sense God’s presence and goodness while you are here. So if you've never heard of us or been, feel free to contact us and book a tour! We would love to connect with you. 

• Our Staff

  At Teen Ranch we take the well-being of our guests very seriously and work hard to ensure that our staff provides a safe, fun and challenging experience for your children and youth to thrive in. Convinced that this begins with hiring the right staff, each summer applicant is hand-picked after going through our extensive selection and training process. Potential staff members commit themselves to be part of the vision of Teen Ranch in aiding in the development of youth physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Canadian applicants are then required to prove themselves first as weekend staff. International applicants are recommended through their home camp or church. Selected individuals are then invited to fill out an application package including three reference checks and volunteer screening check. New applicants complete a nine-part Bible study correspondence course. Riding instructors go through a vigorous four day evaluative training and certification with Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). Each hired staff participates in five days of intense training including health and safety, Teen Ranch service standards, job specific training and solid Biblical teaching. We are convinced that God has used this process to bless us with outstanding, trained and qualified summer staff. Rest assured your children are in great hands!