Experience Potter's Ranch

 

 

 
There are 3 ways you can experience Potter's Ranch

Potter's Ranch Programs

 
  • Family / Personal Retreats
  • Kids Quest Summer Camps
  • Therapeutic Riding
  • Servant’s Heart
  • Barnyard Buddies
  • Pony Pals
  • Horses for Heroes
  • Horses of Hope
  • 4H Riders
  • S.A.L.T. Riders
  • P.R. Praise Riders
  • Schools / Vocational Studies
  • Leadership Development
  • The Potter Demonstration
  • Senior Luncheons
  • Christmas Adventure
  • Scout Badge & Projects
  • Special Speakers
  • FUNdraisers
  • Petting Zoo
Mother & Son Retreat

Family / Personal Retreats

As a Christian Wilderness Retreat Center we have done a lot of retreats since opening in 1997.  So if you are looking for a Retreat specifically for Family, Marriage, Men’s, Women’s, Father & Son, Mother & Daughter or Personal be sure to sign-up for one of our upcoming events.

If you missed one be sure to let us know so we can inform you of when the next one you’re interested in is happening. Office Hours are Monday - Friday (8am - 5pm), Phone Number: 859-586-5475, Email: info@pottersranch.org .

Kids Quest Summer Camps

Kids Quest Summer Camps

Kids Quest was designed by Potter’s Ranch as a Christian camp where children could have a safe, exciting, and meaningful wilderness experience.

Through the summer time we have a variety of camps available for ages 6 - 17, keeping groups age appropriate, and offering the option for day camps or residential overnight camps. Typically each camp is a week long, except for our Dyslexia Camp that goes on for multiple weeks.

We have Adventure Camp, Horse Camp, Dyslexia Camp, Family Camp, Special Needs Camp, Conservation Camp, STEM Camp, & Leaders-In-Training.

Visit the website to learn more about our Summer Camps and what we do at Kids Quest.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic Riding

Potter’s Ranch Riding Center has assisted children, youth, and adults with a vast array of physical, mental, and emotional challenges to improve their lives through the innate therapeutic qualities of a horse. Adapting each of our TR programs to the needs of the participant, we have had grief counseling, psychotherapy and reunification, addressing anti-bullying, just to name a few. Often taking them through our sensory trail and obstacles that are used for teaching as well as being therapeutic.

The horses natural movement engages the human body in a manner that simulates walking.  It is not uncommon that a student who has mobility limitations before riding will show improvements in their ability to ambulate after their lesson due to the improved core strength and flexibility derived from riding their horse.  Whereas physical therapy in a room may be a chore, riding becomes a treat.  Students have an opportunity to work on life skills, concentration, following directions, and working with others through horseback riding skills.  Students are able to progress and increase in their knowledge of horsemanship skills through their participation in lessons.  Students look forward to riding their special four-footed friend and working with their dedicated volunteer each week during their eight week session.

Servant’s Heart

Servant’s Heart

Over the years we have worked with different foster care homes to provide weekly equestrian activities, and therapeutic experiences that has proven to be extremely positive for everyone involved. One foster care group in particular comes to the Ranch regularly to complete service projects and be taken under the wing of our Potter’s Ranch staff and volunteers. Projects change each day to offer a variety of work skills while giving ample time to mentor a child, pouring kindness and love into them that they so desperately need. Their efforts are then rewarded with fun activities like ziplining, or teaching them pioneer skills to build a campfire they will cook their lunch on, playing gaga ball, fishing, or enjoying one of the many other activities offered here at Potter’s Ranch.

So if you are a Foster Care Group we can help your children in many ways that doesn’t have to sacrifice your budget. Servant’s Heart is the ideal program that costs you nothing, but the kids gain so much from. Contact our office today!

Barnyard Buddies

Barnyard Buddies

A program that Buddies-Up our Barnyard animals with at-risk individuals to learn animal care, herd dynamics as well as experience the responsibilities of Farm Chores. It provides teens with a unique opportunity to learn about themselves and others through caring and interacting with Our Barnyard animals. Upon completion, they process their feelings and recognize behaviors and patterns. They develop leadership and team work skills, and build confidence and healthy attitudes.

Pony Pals

Pony Pals

Pony Pals is part of PRRC TR lessons in which children can read to their real live “Pony Pals”. Our Miniature horses Nera & Lux (are full sisters) love to listen as children read in a horse friendly atmosphere in order to improve their reading comprehension and increase their self-esteem in a non-judgmental environment.

If your child would like to read to our pony pals, then sign up today to schedule a time for this special time of getting close to animals and gaining confidence in reading out loud.

Horses for Heroes

Horses for Heroes

An Equine-assisted activity and therapy program tailored to address specific issues faced by wounded and traumatized military personnel who have served our country. Through this program Potter’s Ranch offers peace, self-confidence and physical benefits without judgement. While also providing a supportive and therapeutic environment for their families and loved ones. If you are a veterans group, or an individual, call and sign up today!

Horses of Hope

Horses of Hope

A program that uses interaction with horses to offer Women of all ages an opportunity to restore trust, self-esteem and self-confidence within themselves as they learn both horsemanship skills and unconditional love from our equine. This program also offers a new way for them to connect with themselves, process their emotions and explore behaviors that have become problematic in their day-to-day lives.

4H Riders

4H Riders

Children ages 9-18 years old who live in Boone County are welcome to join our 4-H horse club. We have monthly meetings at the Ranch working as a club to learn more about horses and prepare for the 4-H fair. Even those who don’t own a horse can join, as Potter’s Ranch offers a lease program so everyone gets to learn & enjoy the responsibilities of owning & showing a horse.

S.A.L.T. Riders

S.A.L.T. Riders

S.A.L.T. = SENIOR ADULTS LIVING TRIUMPHANTLY (OUR SENIOR RIDERS OVER 55) Our goal in the SALT Riders Program is to improve overall strength, endurance and flexibility. Lessons are focused on partnership with the horse through the use of horsemanship principles, which increases students’ range of motion, endurance and core strength. Our riders spend time grooming and tacking their horses, learning horsemanship, and having great social time with other horse-loving seniors.

Potter’s Ranch Praise Riders

Potter’s Ranch Praise Riders

Our Volunteers here at Potter’s Ranch get the opportunity to work their way up through our tier levels to earn a spot on our all Volunteer Mounted Drill Team. Each October our Praise Riders perform for our Annual Fundraising Event-Our Potter’s Ranch Round-Up! The Praise Riders performed drill team patterns to songs like "Nobody" by Casting Crowns and "Reason" by Unspoken. Our Volunteers can earn riding lessons, trail ride guide positions, spots on the drill team and even the opportunity to clean stalls!

To join our Volunteer team email us at info@pottersranch.org.

Schools / Vocational Studies

Schools / Vocational Studies

Our trained staff can help you put together and assist in leading a variety of educational programs. We work with many of our local schools and home school co-ops annually and are very skilled at developing programs and schedules to meet various needs. Whether you are looking for an indoor or outdoor program we can help provide a memorable experience for your students in areas like art, environmental science, wilderness first aid, physical fitness, animal care, reading disabilities, map reading and compass use, and even math. Just some of the many things we can do.

Leadership Development

Leadership Development

There are many ways we work on developing leadership skills for students and adults alike. As part of our camp programs we provide a CIT program for youth interested in being councilors when they turn 16. We also provide internships throughout the years for students in various fields of study. Areas of learning have included Equine Education, Administration, Food Service, Outdoor programs, and Camp counseling. We even use our certified facilities to train adults to better work as a team.

Pottery Demonstration

The Potter Demonstration

Like our key scripture says in Isaiah 64:8, "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand". This Pottery Demonstration is what God used to inspire the name of Potter’s Ranch and is a beautiful, artful display of our walk with Him.

Rick Parker has been doing our pottery demonstrations from the very beginning. Since that time he has presented to organizations such as church groups, senior, youth, women’s and men’s retreats as well as business groups, city events and at Health Ministries local, regional and national conferences.

This is something that could be scheduled even for your own events, here at Potter’s Ranch.

Senior Luncheons

Senior Luncheons

Every early spring and early winter we provide a series of luncheons with musical and special speaker entertainment. These event are posted on our web site, Facebook page, and mailings. We can also assist you with special dates for groups of 20 or more. These can be scheduled contacting us by emailing info@pottersranch.org or calling Tony or Aaron at our office (859) 586-5475.

Christmas Adventure

Christmas Adventure

This is one of our staff’s favorite events. Each year with the assistance of our local school system and business association, we choose a local school to fill The Lodge up with kids and that school identifies the children in their school that are in need. We then provide a full Christmas program including a barn tour, meal, entertainment, gifts, and coats and gloves for every student. If you would like to volunteer or donate to this amazing program you can let us know by emailing info@pottersranch.org or calling Tony or Aaron at our office (859) 586-5475.

Scout Badge & Projects

Scout Badge & Projects

Our trained staff can help you put together and assist in leading a variety of scout badge programs. We work with many of our local scout groups annually and are very skilled at developing programs and schedules to meet various needs. If you are looking for an indoor or outdoor program we would like to help you provide a memorable experience for your students in areas like art, pottery, leather craft, survival bracelets, archery and BB guns, guided hikes, environmental science, tracking and plant identification, wilderness first aid, physical fitness, animal care, horsemanship, cooking, geocaching, and map reading and compass use. We also maintain a list of potential leadership projects and needs we are looking for help with. These projects have made great Eagle and Patriot Projects in the past.

Special Speakers

Special Speakers

There are times we have special guests, and motivational speakers come through to give a presentation that is sure to inspire and uplift. These are not as routine as other programs, so they can pop up at a moments notice so it’s best to be on our newsletter or facebook page to stay connected when these special speakers stop by Potter’s Ranch. Over the years we’ve had Zig Zigglar, Ken Ham, Bob Dole, just to name a few.

FUNdraisers

FUNdraisers

Every year we put on some fun events that help raise money for scholarships, programs and general needs. Some are designed for the whole family to be involved, all of them entertaining and fun to attend.

  • We have a Golf Outing, with special hand crafted pottery trophies.
  • There’s a 5K Family Fun Run that incorporates the views and hills of Potter’s Ranch.
  • A one of a kind Turkey Shoot, where the adults get to shoot paper targets for prizes, and EVERYONE gets to shoot paintballs at our live turkey and targets.
  • Lastly is our garden gala event, The Round Up, which consists of live music, a delicious gourmet dinner, unique auction items all while enjoying the Potter’s Ranch scenery.
Petting Zoo

Petting Zoo

We offer a farm animal petting zoo experience that is not only hands on but educational and fun! Participants spend an hour learning about each animal and their use. They identify the animal tracks, learn about herd dynamics and feeding, health & care. Once they have spent time learning about our farm animals we play the "Little Red Barn" game to test what they learned. Our Petting Zoo is open for school field trips, Birthday parties, home school groups and guests visiting the Ranch.

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