The Real Deal

http://argonauts.ca/realdeal

Life of a Bunk House Leader

I really enjoy bunk house leading at Teen Ranch, though it can be draining at times. Any- one who has done it for an extended period of

time can tell you that it's not easy - not if you do it well. Spending time with the kids when you would rather be with your friends and dealing with things like homesickness and lack of respect can be draining for sure.

Why do I enjoy it? There are some shallow reasons to be sure, the time that you do get to spend with other staff is amazing, and the Ranch is a great place to be in general, but the real reason that I love being a bunk house leader is that I get to share the gospel with kids over and over again! I get to discuss it. I get to explain it. I get to tell it to some people for the first time! It's truly amazing!

Josh Menzies, son of former camper Rob Menzies, has been involved most sum- mers his whole life. We are pleased to have him start this month as Teen Ranch’s year round Program Coordinator

Cory Boyd and the Argos

Come out to the REAL DEAL.
Argos vs Roughriders. Oct 2, 2010.
Tickets available through Teen Ranch as low as $20!
http://www.teenranch.on.ca

Check out this clip on Cory Boyd
http://watch.tsn.ca/cfl-news-and-highlights/clip344628#clip344628

Upcoming Events.

Saturday, October 2 is the Real Deal—Come sit with Teen Ranch Staff and watch the Toronto Argos vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders, hear Pinball Clemons and enjoy Christian band Building 429. Contact us for tickets.

October 9, you, your family and friend are invited to take part in our first-ever Fall Festival. Pony rides, pumpkin painting, carnival games and more are all taking place right here.

For details and more of our upcoming events check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/ teenranch or on Twitter: twitter.com/teenranchcanada. Hope to see you soon!!

Shannon Hicks has been involved with Teen Ranch since 1991 and is blazing the trail as the first-ever Teen Ranch Sales and Marketing Coordinator.

What Keeps You Coming Back to Teen Ranch Val?

I have been a volunteer at Teen Ranch since March, 2001 initially on weekend staff and eventually moved to helping each summer for about four weeks.

Why do I do this? Most teachers look forward to a long break to recuperate from what is often an exhausting year. Teen Ranch IS a place of rest and refreshment for me, in spite of long days in the    kitchen, snack bar, painting, weeding or whatever else I‘m asked to do! Great friends, a chance to work with children, and a fantastic oppor- tunity to serve God keep me ener- gized. I have and continue to learn so much about God through both the full time and summer staff as I interact with them. Selfishly, I come back to Teen Ranch because I am always blessed. More importantly, and my central reason for       volunteering at Teen Ranch is the impact I have seen in the lives of campers, retreat guests and staff. There is something about Teen Ranch that cannot be put into words. God is clearly in this place. People immedi- ately feel loved, accepted and safe. I consider it a privilege to be one of the smiling faces that make this possible.

Valerie Moreton has been a Music Teacher since 1999 with the Toronto District School Board.

Top Ten Summer Highlights

1. People that were here last year came back— AWESOME!!

2. New staff members and they were all amazing.

3. Super Hero week was amazing. Why? Flame Boy was back in action that‘s why!

4. ALL the games we played—Gauntlet was fantastic

5. There were more gin- gers (red heads) than I‘ve ever seen in my life. I felt peace knowing that I am not the last one.

6. I got to spend the summer in the hotel with the coolest roommate.

7. Alka-Seltzer Explosion— don‘t need to say anything more except—thanks Jared :)

8. Seeing campers from last year and witness how they have grown.

9. Being at the Ranch...there is a peace here which I don‘t get in the city of Glasgow.

10. Last, but not least, Extreme Skipping. Thank you Stefan and Mike— also known as Coach and Aviator.

 - Graeme Sharp

SUMMER and FALL STAFF 2010

What a summer. What a staff. Thank you Lord! And to you summer staff,  ̳thanks‘ is not enough to express our deep appreciation for encouraging, challenging and inspiring us as you passionately invested your time, energy and talent to make a difference in the lives of the campers God sent to Teen Ranch this summer. We trust that God, who is no man‘s debtor, will come through on His promise to refresh you just as you have allowed Him to use you to refresh others—and that He will bring you back soon :)!

This month we are very saddened to say good bye to long term staff that are family to us. Kayla Schenk has served here as a bunkhouse leader, kitchen staff and crafts guru and goes back to Australia to work and study. Luke Rettie has served as a bunkhouse leader, in the dish pit and as grounds maintenance boss. He is going home to Scotland to find work and then? A couple of lessons he‘s learned include, ―Be a self starter‖ and ―It‘s better to be five minutes early than to be one minute late. :) Lee Stevens is beginning a brand new adventure undertaking the running of her own stable in Shelburne. Thank you to each of you for allowing God to work powerfully in and through your lives here.

We have several summer 2010 campers applying to fill volunteer hours here and we are glad :) Some will become next summer‘s staff. Applying to do so requires each one to complete a nine part Bible Study Discipleship course. Here‘s some feedback from this summer‘s studies:

―The most meaningful part (of this study) to me is God‘s solution to our sin because when you are willing to confess your sin‘s and ask for forgiveness you are able to live a satisfying life and eternal life. I am going to keep trying to live by God‘s word so I can live a better life.

-Ann Stevens