Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Our Kids Media - Why Send a Child to Camp...

Why Go To Camp

This article is a brief one on a great website that showcases and describes the reasons for children now to go to camp.
The newest print addition of Our Kids Mag tells parents about Nature "Deficit Disorder" and why kids of the 21st century need to spend time outside.

Here at Teen Ranch, campers maximize their time outside by learning their skills on horseback and through dry land training out in the sunshine. Afternoon activities are based around outdoor programming such as swimming, kayaking, jousting, trail riding and more.

Get outside! Go to camp!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

GMHL All Star game at Teen Ranch


An Olympic sized arena seemed to favour the World side of the Greater Metro Hockey League All Star game held at Teen Ranch in Caledon on Saturday, January 15.
The 13 team league sent its top players for the annual event which was divided between the World team, comprised of foreign born players, and Team North America which had home grown talent on the roster.
The first period ended with Team North America leading 2-1.
But the second period turned it around.
After playing to a 5-5 tie, the World team scored four in the second half of the frame putting the pressure on North America to get back in the game in the final twenty minutes.
But a strong attack gave the World a lead and Team North America just couldn’t make up the deficit.
A final goal with 59 seconds left on the clock gave Team World a 13-6 win.
The game won’t affect the standings or points leaders in the league but it did offer the fans an opportunity to see their favourite players mix it up with other teams and watch the best players step on the ice with other top talent.
“This is an opportunity to recognize your athletes and have them play for a decent size crowd.” said GMHL Director of Communications Marshall Uretsky.
Uretsky is also the owner of the Toronto Canada Moose hockey club.
“It gives the opportunity to exchange styles of play and meet some other players from around the league. Especially in our league where it has been a major decision for a lot of people to join our league.” he said in reference to the controversy that has surrounded the GMHL since it’s inception. “As well as to showcase the better talent in our league for scouts, and from everything to other players and parents and media to show that the calibre of our league is exceptional. We continue to improve every day, and like All Star games in general this gives a pat on the back to those who are in the top end of the league.”
The Shelburne Redwings had a strong showing representing Team World.
Redwings head coach Jim Aldred was on the bench.
Shelburne forwards Denis Zverey, Alex Nikulnikov, Stanislav Dzakhov, and defenceman Nikita Vakilyey kept a constant rotation on the ice, and goalie Georgy Kiselev was in goal for the first period of the game.
The Redwings will get back to business this weekend with a road game against Toronto on Saturday, January 22, at the Thornhill Community Centre.
The game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
By BRIAN LOCKHART
Sports Editor Orangeville Citizen
January 20, 2011

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Carriage House Renos.

Since Irene and Chris from Australia finished tiling the upstairs bathrooms in the fall, much more has been accomplished on the Carriage House thanks to some extremely hard working, committed men, not the least of which is Mel. It certainly seems that not a day goes by (except Sundays) that Mel cannot be found there outworking the rest of us on staff as usual! :) By the way, Mel has almost 
com- pletely recovered from the stroke he suffered back in June. We praise God for His goodness!
Much of the work completed is on the outside of the building. Thanks to the extremely generous donation of siding by Ross Mitchell, owner of Gemthane, Mel and Nico finished the siding.
John Hayward and his friend, Colby Chin, formed a landscape team. Weekend after weekend they labored to place large, flat, landscape stones to form stairs on each side of the building and make a beautiful retaining wall for sandy soil on the north and south sides. These were generously donated by La Farge.
One of John‘s passions is timber frame and he and handyman Jeff Schneyderberg have built the decks, porches and stairways. Matt Stevens has worked with them to stain the large timber frame.
Thanks to a company called Gel, soffit, fascia and eaves troughs (that is, gutters to the Aussies!) are nearly complete.
The hydro connection will soon be complete by C.I.D.‘s Robert Ralph. Robert was on full-time staff years ago and continues to be very generous to the Ranch.
As you can imagine in this cold, winter weather, the workers are really looking forward to Bryan‘s Fuel hook- ing up the new boiler to heat the building. Apart from being warmer, they can resume work on the drywall and completion of the lower level. Inside, Mel, Darryl Schenk and John have painted, trimmed and installed cupboards.
The Carriage House continues to stand as a testimony to the faithfulness of God and His ability to provide not only quality goods, but skilled and dedicated workers.

Nico Koeslag is always friendly, supportive and smiling...and also happens to have been responsible for building mainte- nance since 2003. Thanks for all you do Nico!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Jay Pagett - new Teen Ranch Hockey Instructor

New Coach Jay Pagett is coming in to Teen Ranch focused and excited about our new hockey programs!

Jay is excited about the ministry and mentoring opportunities that lie ahead for him here, both during dry land and on the ice. He says "I'm most excited about building the hockey programs to quality camps with players like Brett Robinson, Danny Ellis, Dave Semenyna, Mike Binnie and Ben Clarke. We have an amazing facility at our fingertips, olympic ice and great living facilities that give us the opportunity to hang out with youth."

This article displays Jay's talents and previous coaching experience. We're so excited to welcome him to full time staff, and he looks forward to meeting you!

Florida Gator's Winning Streak!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thank You Weekend Staff!!

Well.........like I always say......I have THE best job on the Ranch!
Every Friday night I meet not only a variety of great people with their groups—youth groups, sports teams, men`s and lady`s groups, old friends and new. Now that is a blessing! ... but, to top that off, I have the immense pleasure of greeting weekend volunteers and their amazing parents who drive them literally from far and wide to spend the weekend with us at the Ranch!
Our weekends are busy with delivering snacks, preparing meals, cleaning up, doing dishes, taking trail rides and all that goes in to making our guests feel cared for and important. Barn staff have the responsibility to
care for and feed the horses as well as ensure the wellbeing of the riders......a huge undertaking for our young staff.
Those of us who work with the volunteers endeavour to provide clear and kind direction and training which has proven to pay off.......we are truly blessed to have fabulous youth who volun- teer over the summer when the stakes are high.
Apart from the practical, manual job training our goal is to en- courage spiritual growth in Christ in our young people. Weekly devotions are intend to awaken a desire to know more about the Lord and the interest He has in each one. On Sunday mornings we attend a local
church.....often that is an eye opener and provides conversation with the volunteers.
As full time staff we have seen campers become volunteers, vol- unteers become staff and staff become solid Christian citizens, husbands, wives and parents. If anything could be more rewarding than that. I have yet to see it!
It is an honour and blessing to know each and every one..........

Sharon Koeslag is our beloved week- end retreat hostess and mom to everyone! She consistently sets a high standard of excellence as she cares for guests volunteer weekend staff. Thanks for your TLC Sharon!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Question of the Day

What do you do when it‘s cold, snowy, minus 10 degrees and all the pools are closed? Come to Teen Ranch of course! We have tons of events coming up for the whole family to enjoy!
Ladies of all ages, round up your friends and join us for a relaxing spa weekend complete with trail riding, snow tubing, ice skating and some of the best food you will ever have!
For all the summer campers out there, if you think camp was a blast in the summer, wait till you experience it in the winter! Get ready to make new friendships and revive the old ones in the snowy hills of Caledon!
And for all the Fathers and Grandfa- thers feeling left out, have no fear, we have something for you too; Family Day—the best Stat holiday the government has given us! Take full ad- vantage of it with our Winter Carnival — skating, tubing, family competitions and free hot chocolate awaiting you! Bring your snow gear and get ready to bring your family and have fun!
To learn more about these and other great events please visit us at www.teenranch.on.ca
We can‘t wait to see you!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Josh and Luke Polar Dip!

What keeps You Coming Back to Teen Ranch Kyle?

I first attended Teen Ranch as a ten year old camper. Ever since then, Teen Ranch has given me the tools to go from a house league hockey player to a AAA hockey player. More importantly, having had an ignorance of Jesus, to rec- ognizing him as Lord.
Now being on staff, helping and watching the development and transformation in our campers like I had, is an amazingly rewarding experience.I‘ve also loved being around such a fun environment and knowing that our campers can have an incredibly fun week, and still learn valuable life lessons.

―Teach a child to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Proverbs 22:6

Kyle Kokotailo has served his Lord here at the Ranch for the past three sum- mers as a bunkhouse leader, hockey instructor and lifeguard...and we are thankful!!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Winter Retreats

Typically, the winter months bring a bit of down time. Not so much this winter. God has blessed us with lots of group bookings....and we are thankful!
One of the best parts of my job is to see both old and new groups come and go. We have built many good relationships with very faithful groups and are blessed to build relationships with new ones.
Some of the exciting things we have going on this winter include 120 Rus- sian hockey players and parents who are currently here for 2 weeks over the Christmas and New Year‘s holi- days. This is a great opportunity for us to host another International group and we hope and pray that it will grow into a more extensive relationship in the future.
January brings with it the opportunity to serve several first time groups. ..very exciting!

-Jody Boateng

Monday, January 3, 2011

Program Fun

I'm excited about what awaits us in this upcoming year! Each summer, our goal here at Teen Ranch is that every camper will have the opportunity to experience the best week of camp that he or she has ever had. For campers who are return- ing, you can expect added ex- citing games and activities. I'm also really looking forward to the staff/camper reunion this February. It will be a great time of fun, relaxation, excel- lent food, and building friendships with campers and staff.
I love working here at Teen Ranch and the many great opportunities to interact with so many different people—to be able to have an impact on their lives and be impacted in return!
I invite you to join with us in prayer (I'm sure that many of you already have!) as we march
boldly on in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into all that this New Year holds for us; the fun, the excitement, but also the challenges that lie ahead.

-Josh Menzies