SkyMoms Winter 2022 Newsletter

SkyMoms Fall 2021 Newsletter

I am convinced that everything tastes better at Family Camp! Maybe it is just that I am not having to cook or clean the dishes that makes all the food scrumptious! Here is one of my favorites...

We are so honored that you are entrusting us with your precious camper in a few short weeks! We know there is a lot to do to get prepared and we believe getting ready should be PART of the FUN – for you AND your camper!

You know it’s true. Just say a word you don’t want a 3-year-old saying, and you’ll hear him say it so fast your head spins.

My 6-year-old son and I just got home from an amazing Mother/Son weekend at Sky Ranch. 

Aside from my Christmas tree, my favorite thing about the Christmas season are the Christmas Carols.

A Hillsong Worship song entitled Seasons has been on repeat in our home for a few weeks now.

The weather is getting a little cooler and a hot soup sounds delicious. Enjoy!!!

This is one of everyones favorites! Perfect for breakfast, brunch or even dessert! Try it and let me know what you think.

Fall 2020 Newsletter

To all the mommas out there... I just had to share this with you from my sweet sister who is tackling virtual learning with the best attitude of finding hope through the hard days!

I’m not going to lie...at first I wasn’t sure if Griffin would make it through the week. He’d seen his three older siblings go to camp the last four years and have the best time and he’d even gone himself last year but he woke up Sunday morning already worried about being homesick while at camp and wasn’t really thrilled about being gone all week.

How many times have you made dinner since March?

I used to struggle about the whole Care Package and camp letter thing. I don’t anymore—struggle, that is. I want to share with you what I have started doing for my kids when they go to camp.

It’s hard to believe it was nine years ago when we first dropped our daughter off for her first overnight week of camp at Sky Ranch.

“Hello Muddah. Hello Faddah.
Here I am here at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining.
And they say we will have fun if it stops raining...”
(Allan Sherman 1963) 

If you were to talk to me 6 weeks ago, I would have asked you, “When will this end?”. Around that time I was starting to feel like a maid.

Every time I sit down to write, no words come. None. No ideas. No wisdom. No encouragement. Nothing. Why? 

We'll always remember where we were the moment we realized life, as we know it, was shutting down due to Covid-19. Much like remembering where we were when we heard a plane crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC. Or catastrophic tornadoes hit. 

Sky Ranch SkyMom Special SHOUT OUT!

Amidst all that is going on in our world we reached out to our Sky Ranch families and asked them to share a little "happy" with our SkyMom community!

Please enjoy this special SHOUT OUT from Tasha Wrona of Carrollton, Texas. She would love to share these TikTok thoughts:

Sky Ranch SkyMom Special SHOUT OUT!

Amidst all that is going on in our world we reached out to our Sky Ranch SkyMom Hostesses from our luncheons this Fall and Spring and asked them to share a little "happy" with our SkyMom community!

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness.

It’s Friday (today). But Sunday’s Coming!

Today as I ventured out for some essentials wearing a face mask for the first time-I was overwhelmed with two distinct thoughts about masks.

It's s so easy to think of all the things we can’t do, but let’s focus on some good.

Just a few weeks ago, it would’ve been strange to walk into a grocery store and see people wearing latex gloves as they push their carts and face masks as they traverse the aisles.

One week a year I get to spend uninterrupted time with my family at Sky Ranch Family Camp. This is my favorite week of the year.

I am really good at worrying—actually, I excel at it.

Well, we’re 3 months into 2020 and we’ve entered uncharted waters, at least for our generation. And during these unscripted times of life, it’s important for us, the parents to be confident.  

“Mom. Can we do this every year?”

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” -Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬

QUICHE FOR YOUR FAMILY
For one 9” pie plate
Bake at 350°

As a new mom I was completely discouraged at how often I’d hear, “That will only last a little while.”

A discipline that I practice often is praying Scripture.

When I have the opportunity to talk with moms of daughters, I gingerly tip toe around a thing I call THE MIRROR EFFECT.

I have been made aware recently of many preteens/teens who struggle with depression and anxiety. I’m so thankful for summer for many reasons, but mostly so that our kids can relax and unwind. There is way too much pressure on them to overachieve and be better than the rest.

4 Ways to Know Your Child is Ready for Camp
Ok, really 5 ways, one of them is you

Hi SkyMoms!

Oh, yummy cinnamon rolls on a cold January morning sounds scrumptious!

I love reading stories in the Bible and seeing how God uses those same stories to show me how my life is not too different.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Why is obedience so hard? From an early age, something within us seems to cry out, “I’m not doing it your way. I want it my way!” My precious four-year-old and two-year-old boys are evidence of this on the daily.

I had the incredible blessing of attending and serving alongside Sky Ranch staff and counselors this past weekend at Mother Son Weekend.

Cooking is not my thing. When I make a meal for my family, I am known to use every bowl and mixing spoon in my kitchen. 

When I was a child, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I got sick. I hardly ever missed school and my parents never had to take sick days. All in all we were a pretty healthy crew. 

Before I had Judah, when I wanted to have “me” time, I would give myself a manicure and pedicure. I would pull out my hat box that is filled with nail polish, cuticle treatments and spend around 2 hours just engrossed in thought and self-care.

Are you looking for a quick and easy meal to have on hand to cook on a busy weekday week? Well, let me give you a "Tori Tip"...this beef and broccoli from Trader Joes was fantastic!

What you are doing MATTERS
By Leah Spina
 
I don’t think you get it, Mom. I don’t think you get it at all.

I want to encourage the worried moms today.  Do you tend to lean toward being a worrier?

After 2 summers that were consumed with 4 surgeries on my arm and were beyond hard on me physically and mentally, we dedicated this summer to joy and new experiences.

The best part of Sky Ranch family camp is not the activities, mountains, food, or cabins, it’s always the counselors....

Caden and Cole had the awesome opportunity of attending Sky Ranch Launch Camp this week at a local church in our area.

The dust has settled and the experiences have set in from my two boys first time at summer camp - and I felt compelled to send you a heartfelt note to say thank you.

"The mountains shake before Him"

7th grade was my daughter Faith's first year in middle school, and it was a rough one.

It seems like there are two types of “Back to School Moms.” 

"And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1

Community allows us to connect relationally, encourage one another, and share in common interests with each other.

Olive said this was the best week ever and I have to agree.

One of my favorite preachers of the gospel is a man by the name of Louie Giglio. I first heard him speak as the camp speaker while I was in high school.

Have you been looking for a fresh, light, a little tangy, filling, and flavorful salad?

Our family had a heavy year with several health scares which ultimately resulted in open heart surgery this Spring for my healthy barely 40 year old husband.

Family Camp "Kids Night" or better known as "Parents Night Out"...

We had an amazing week at Sky Ranch Ute Trail Family Camp.

This recipe was a hit at Sky Ranch Horn Creek Family Camp ~ Western Night! We all enjoyed this yummy side dish as we ate outside on picnic tables together enjoying the cooler Colorado summer temperature after a day FULL of activities.

I have always loved the quote, “Your life as a Christian should make a nonbeliever question their disbelief in God.”  

Thank you again Sky Ranch for creating a life changing environment where kids want to come have fun and hear the word of God.

A dear friend’s daughter recently got married. There is something surreal about watching someone you have prayed for since before they were born get married! As I looked at our daughter sitting next to my husband, it made my heart stop just a little bit. 

Do you ever go on a family summer vacation and dread the conversations that begin with…

He went to camp for the first time last week at @skyranchcamps - and I cried like a baby when I hugged him after 6 nights away.

NO NEED TO MOM SO HARD!
You will receive the strength you need when you stay calm and trust in me. Isaiah 30:15

WOW, where do I began? Let’s start back in the Fall/Winter when I talked to Murphy Jo about going to camp!

I was grocery shopping yesterday and I saw a young mom with three children in tow. One in the baby seat of the basket, one sitting with groceries, and one walking along beside.

Our son, Bobby, had a truly amazing week at Sky Ranch Camp in Van this Summer. This will be his 5th year as a Sky Ranch camper.

Make the Summer of 2019 One to Remember!!!
 

So here’s a question for you to ponder…How many summers do you have left with your kiddos at home? I’ll give you a minute…

Jake is excited to get his Sky Ranch letter in the mail. 6 years ago I dreamed of my boys going to Sky Ranch summer camp. 

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

Trunks work the best since they are living out of it for the week but make sure it’s the correct dimensions (not too tall, 32”x18”x14”).

Show your Sky Pride...by telling everyone on the road how excited your campers are to be coming to Sky Ranch for an incredible week of fun and faith.

Sky Ranch is far more than a super fun place to hang out. While  it is unbelievable how amazing the facilities are, I was so surprised to learn that isn’t the best part.

We have exciting plans for our SkyMoms Ministry this upcoming season and we would love for you to be a part of it! We are currently looking for SkyMoms to partner with us as hostesses for our luncheons throughout the metroplex.

Retailers have cleared the shelves of Easter related products. The white patent dress shoes that were shiny and new just a short time ago now have black scuff marks on the side and the soles.

I want to be a great wife and mom. But I often get caught up in other things, especially during the school year, and find myself overcommitted, stretched too thin, and always at a loss for time. By the end of the school year, I have nothing left to give. Sky Ranch Ute Trail Family Camp is always my light at the end of the tunnel.

Our family had the best time bonding, going on adventures together and diving deeper into God’s truth about parenting at @skyranchcamps this weekend!

Defeated. Moms, you know the feeling: The plan for a homecooked dinner that turns into another crazy, eat-on-the-run meal; the intentional family devotional time that turns into a sibling wrestling match; the unwanted comparison game that leaves you feeling discontent and unsatisfied; the heartbreak of a broken relationship you don’t know how to fix; the words and tones you wish you could unwind.

What are your Go-To recipes to serve for Easter lunch? My family always requests my cream corn, green bean bundles and a delicious salad.

Thanks to my husband and mom, Ainsley and I just returned from a Mother Daughter Weekend retreat at Sky Ranch. It was life-changing for us. So many soul cleansing tears were shed. For the first time EVER, I felt truly connected to my girl.

SkyMoms has just wrapped up it’s 12th season of luncheons and ministry! 12??? What in the world? God has blessed this little ministry to moms.

My name is McKinley Bownds and I am an 9-year-camper. I started coming to Sky Ranch through Launch Camp when I was 8 and when I was 9-years-old I went to overnight camp in Van.

Last weekend, my daughter and I had the chance to attend the Sky Ranch Mother-Daughter Retreat! It was such an amazing time of intentionality and I’m sure neither of us will forget it! If you are interested in finding out more about our parent/child weekends at Sky Ranch, here is a little more info and the link to register for the next one in the Spring!

Grab the family and join us for Family Camp at Sky Ranch Horn Creek.  There are just a few spaces left throughout the summer, so we are offering a last-minute, inaugural year special price!