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Marble Mountain Ranch Press Room

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For Immediate Release: 05/06/2008
Dirt, Fun, and Service on Klamath Trails
Cooperation, joint venture, and win-win results are not phrases you would intuitively cite when you think of a venture involving the U.S. Government, a religious organization, a Native American Tribal Nation, the Boy Scouts of America, Americorps and other volunteer organizations, and a “for profit” business.  As unlikely as this might seem, it happens nearly every year at the Northern California Dude Ranch, Marble Mountain Ranch.

The scenario is simple, directed, and focused on a common goal: moving dirt for fun.  Yes, there is a bit more to the story than that, but if you have ever experienced the “therapy of the soil” while tilling your home garden, you might identify with this situation.  In this case, the soil moved, is trail tread on U.S. Forest Service stock trails, the hands-on dirt pushing participants are non-profit groups such as Americorps volunteers or the Boy Scouts, while the permitting land owners and managing stewards are the Karuk Tribe and the Six Rivers Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service.

“Basically, this is a “work for play” program that happens on public lands.”  Explains Doug Cole, of Marble Mountain Ranch.  “We saw a deteriorating trail network, needy youth and charitable groups, and a recreational resource in our asset list.   For us, the answer seemed simple:  lets let the kids work a day on trail maintenance in exchange for a recreational day hosted and operated by our business.”

The “work for play” program has been in operation for well over a decade now at the Marble Mountain Ranch and has enabled hundreds of city-bound Boy Scouts and charitable groups to experience the growth of the soul that sweat, blisters, scrapes, bruises and sore muscles bring, all while “earning” the following afternoon’s raft trip, trail ride, or other dude ranch activity.  “We like to keep the action-consequence concept strong by working each day between breakfast and lunch, then having an adventure such as a raft trip immediately after lunch, explains Doug Cole.  “Amazingly enough, the kids often enjoy the satisfaction of watching a trail develop under foot as much as the raft trip or horse ride!   Most of these kids used to think work is that nasty job of weekly setting the trash can and occasionally mowing the lawn.  Brut labor and its soul growth potential, while absent from the lives of many modern young adults, is available here and now at the ranch and on the trail!”

While the goals of teaching kids how to work, developing and maintaining public trails, and funding recreational opportunities are worthy goals, this attempt at philanthropy is not without its’ risks and processes.  “We have had to write partnership arrangements with the Forest Service, get environmental and tribal approvals for trail re-routes, and find ways to navigate sometimes onerous laws aimed at protecting minors in the work environment.” 

This week a church sponsored Boy Scout Troop repaired sections of the Klamath Forest Bull Pine Mine trail and then finished their horsemanship merit badge with a trail ride.  Was it worth the effort?  “We took a piece off of the Forest Service work plate, improved the trails that the public depends on, built a sprit-de-corps in a team of Scouts, and finished a horsemanship merit badge.  Of course it was worth it! Everybody won!”

Horse Trail Repairs

Doug Cole, public relations for Marble Mountain Ranch

 

 

For Immediate Release;  Feb 1, 2008

Many of the guests of Marble Mountain Ranch have, on departure, asked for a ranch cookbook with recipes for dishes they enjoyed during their stay.   This consistent interest in learning to prepare our ranch cuisine has led us to modify two of our 5 night ranch programs to include formal culinary instruction as part of the existing “adventure program.”     

These 5 night/6 day packages are designed for couples and single adults who would like a break from children.  Along with our daily ranch activities you will have the opportunity each day to join our Executive Chef and ranch owners in the kitchen learning to prepare some of the most popular dishes served here on the ranch. Each participant will also be given a free copy of Heidi's cookbook "Ranch Cooking, simply good" as part of your fare.  The group sizes will be small and intimate and of course, the class projects will be enjoyed at dinner by the students and Instructors.

Adventure and Culinary Weeks - Adults Only (Group size limited to 22)  June 2 - June 6   or  September 8 - September 12 $1100.00/per adult