Frontier Ranch
We’re Here at Frontier Ranch! Three Cheers for Frontier Ranch!
For more than 50 years, families and their children have braved the hill to the highest point in Mission Springs in anticipation of crossing the threshold into Frontier Ranch. It was almost as if walking under the sign reading “Camp in Session—No Visitors” while carrying sleeping bags, pillows, and luggage transported campers to another time and place where the creature comforts of home were traded for the thrill of exploration, wonder, friendship, and fun.
The holy ground of Frontier Ranch was purchased in 1959 from Mr. Felix Steiner—a 30-acre piece of property adjacent to the conference grounds as part of a plan to increase the overall acreage of the camp. On July 4, 1967, Frontier Ranch was officially dedicated with a central hub Wagon Wheel to host meals and group gatherings, small tented cabins for sleeping, and a campfire area for sharing and worship.
Today, Frontier Ranch maintains a “roughing it” quality that was part of the original intent of the camp. The 13 to 14 cabins in each of the cabin areas still lack electricity for light or windows to keep out the spiders—they each have a shingled roof, wooden floors, and canvas windows and doors. Though sinks and showers were added to the cabin areas to mitigate the need to shower at the pool, there are nightly battles with forest critters who are searching for camper candy. In November 2002, the previous staff house at Frontier Ranch was demolished to prepare for construction of a new staff house–Frontier Lodge. It was dedicated in 2023 in time to house the summer staff, but the counselors still spend the night in the cabins to be a resource to campers. Cell phones are not allowed so that students can fully engage with camp activities. It is still true that:
“I’ve come back to Frontier Ranch just like I did the years before
And I’m gonna keep on comin’
till they won’t let me come anymore
Because I feel much closer to my God up here
with the trees and the skies above
And the people all around me teach me of God‘s great love.”
Years have passed and many have walked down the hill into camp, but no matter the visitor, the experience of Frontier Ranch during the last 50 years is best summarized by this statement by a former counselor: “When I think of what Heaven will be like, I think of Frontier Ranch.”
Prayer
A Prayer for Future Generations
Faithful God, bless the young hearts that gather here. May Your truth be passed from generation to generation. Let this be a place where stories of Your goodness are told and retold, shaping lives for decades to come. Lord, hear our prayer.
Scripture
Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.