She saw her sisters riding horses in the big arena. There were lots of big kids there! They were singing and cheering and having so much fun. There was music playing and someone was even selling candy! There was so much excitement, one thing led to another and before she knew it...
It happened. I rode a horse at Birch Bay Ranch for the first time, but definitely not the last.
You think I would be a better rider having such an early start, but alas, in the 6 years I attended summer camp I was never crowned All Round Cowgirl. Not even once. It didn’t help that my younger sister was the All Round Cowgirl....Every. Single. Summer.
Okay, so I’ll admit I don’t actually remember riding that horse back when I was three. I do remember sitting in the grand stands watching a BBR rodeo. It was raining and everyone was hiding under umbrellas and plastic ponchos. I remember being in a very crowded Main Lodge, which I’m assuming was for a pancake breakfast. The thing I remember the most is the wagon wheel chandeliers. Every time I look up at those things (and may they always remain there) I remember the day I saw them for the first time in 1987.
Then the day came when I was IN THE HORSE SHOW. That week at camp everyone called me Elmo, but I can’t remember why. I was riding a horse named Empress and was in the pole bending event. I raced through my pole bending at a speedy trot and opened up into a full lope to get back to the other end of the arena and to the finish line. My Edmonton Trappers hat flew off my head and into the mud (we didn’t wear helmets then) and my mushroom cut was blowing in the wind! I crossed the finish line and the CROWD WENT WILD!! (that is how I remember it) The glorious pole bending victory was mine and I had a red ribbon to show for it! I was so happy over my achievement that I forgot it was time for another event and was aimlessly wandering around the arena thinking about how awesome I was at riding horses.
“Elmo, get back to the fence and stand with your group,” boomed the voice out of the loud speaker. I looked up to the announcer’s booth and wondered how that man in the white cowboy hat knew my nickname, or any name of mine really. I ran through the muddy arena excited to receive a round of high fives from my group. The Cowpokes.
When I left camp that summer I remember thinking that was the best week of my life. I am so blessed to have so many best weeks of my life, for my entire life, at that very place.
I was raised in a Christian home and went to a Christian school. I already knew Jesus when I came out to Birch Bay Ranch. I was a camper in the 1990s. My childhood experiences at Birch Bay Ranch are so rich, full of love, so much fun, and are the foundation of my faith. I vividly remember the testimonies of staff who worked there; they shared their passion for God, their love for Him and for the campers there. They taught me how to ride horses, paddle a canoe, and how to go upside down on the Burma zip. They cheered me on, they encouraged me, and I’ll always remember that. Your examples of friendship and love to me were instrumental in confirming my commitment to Christ, developing my relationship to Him, and learning how to listen, pray and witness to others. Thank you.
“On the count of three we are going to circle your horses. So we’re going to move our reigns over to the left, give our horses a little nudge with the outside leg and ask them to circle. One...two...no, wait three, on Creme where are you going? Don’t let him do that with the reins, wait...on Mr. Supreme, we are having a lesson on THIS side of the arena so steer him this way... on Fernando that was a great circle. Wait, why are you not wearing any shoes? What do you mean you don’t know where you kicked off your shoes? On Creme...come back!!!”
Okay, I was ready to admit there was a reason I never passed Level B. I have a lot of skills and abilities, but most of them thrive away from the barn. After a few awkward summers I finally let someone know I didn’t want to be on horse staff and over the next several years I did almost every other job there is to do at Birch Bay Ranch.
The truth is I would have stayed on horse staff if they needed me to. I would have done any job they asked me to if it meant I could stay at Birch Bay Ranch. This place radiates God’s love and I am drawn to it like a magnet. It truly is the place where the lost are found, where the hopeless find hope, and where everyone finds a nurturing community and a loving home. I’ve discovered pure joy here and I’ve seen that joy in the faces of thousands throughout my time there.
Over the last 12 years I have spoken at campfire more times than I can count, and no matter what crazy story I tell, or what the message is that night, I make sure to tell those kids how much God loves them. I start every prayer at campfire thanking God for them. I see myself in them. I want to see them speaking at campfire one day, just like I am, and just like the ones who spoke to me as a child.
Then I DO see them. The children who listened to my stories, the generation I taught how to circle their horses and do the funky chicken, have grown up. I’ve sat in the stands and listened to them share their faith with the new generation of campers. I’ve seen them bring today’s children to the Lord. This next generation of passionate advocates for Jesus Christ are now pouring into my life and I feel closer to God because of them. This is what Birch Bay Ranch is all about.
I haven’t officially worked at Birch Bay Ranch since 2007, but I am just has much a part of it as I ever was. Once you are a part of it you are always a part of it. The people who counselled me as a child, who mentored me as a teen and young adult, the best friends I've made there, and those who grew from campers to friends...all of them would never be such an integral part of my life if it weren’t for Birch Bay Ranch. At BBR I gained self confidence, developed strong communication skills, work ethic, and learned about teamwork. I learned what it means to be friends with Jesus.
I also learned, with the help of one of my best friends, how to navigate a milk crate ship through a pretend ocean.
I can honestly say that Birch Bay Ranch has shaped me into the woman I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to belong to this community, to contribute to it, and to have experienced a lifetime of love.
Whatever happens I call dibs on the wagon wheel chandeliers.
Amy Hancock
PS. I really do like horses.
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