Cloutier Family Retiring
Download Pdf. April Newsletter
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch is opening May, 2021 and is accepting groups reservations. Cabins and campsites also are available this summer for individuals, families and small groups. Please contact the ranch hosts at 303-838-7770 or email info@longscraggy.org to make reservations. For more information visit longscraggy.org
Cloutier Family Retiring
After sixteen years, the time has come for the Cloutier family to move on from Long Scraggy Ranch. Sixteen years! All the adventures and blessings God has given us has been nothing short of amazing. The people we have met, the friendships, the wonderful moments in people’s lives that we have been a part of or to just simply observe. We are very thankful to all of those folks who have made our time at the ranch a success. Our lives have been forever changed for the better. I can give hundreds of fond memories from bear stories and warm Olie Bollen, to the “Welcome to Calvin Camp!”, Sun Valley Youth, and the many other groups. We love and thank you all!
One short, fun memory – at the height of Calvin Camp worship night, a confused baby deer was trying to get away from the noise and had got stuck in some rocks. The Calvin Camp director, Frank Brandse, and I gathered the deer and took it away from the Chapel area and released it. As I let it go, it gave me a little kick that I’ll never forget. There are so many great memories, they will last a lifetime.
John Cloutier
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch- Spring 2021 Fund Raiser
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch needs your help to raise $40,000 to get the ranch ready for this summer and sustain operations for the upcoming year.
The coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected Long Scraggy Ranch operations in 2020 and resulted in the cancellation of all major events. Without any income, only charitable giving from individuals and churches has allowed the ranch to continue to pay bills for the last 12 months. The Long Scraggy Board has taken every effort to reduce costs, including closing and winterizing the ranch; however, a bank loan has been required to pay ongoing expenses. To allow Long Scraggy Ranch to open this summer without going further into debt, funds are needed. One major need at the ranch is a new furnace for the round house. The board also would like to attract more small groups and individuals to utilize Long Scraggy throughout the year with the hope to bring in more income. Identified improvements include an updated website to enhance reservations and payments and upgrades to campsites, cabins, and ranch amenities. Funds also are needed for ongoing fixed expenses and to pay off the bank loan.
Your assistance in raising these funds is greatly needed to allow the ranch to start hosting events this summer. Given that the current coronavirus restrictions are easing, plans for Calvin Camp have begun! A GoFundMe page has been established to allow you to participate in this fundraiser electronically: https://gofund.me/24410b1c
GoFundMe charges a 2.9% processing fee on donations.
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch is a 501C3 charitable organization.
If you prefer, checks can be sent to:
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch
PO Box 100246
Denver, CO 80250-0246
The Long Scraggy Board has committed to support this fundraiser and every board member has pledged to give to this event. Please join us in supporting the ranch,
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch Board: Dan Zigterman- Chair, Hal Simpson- Secretary, Jon Waanders- Treasurer, Linda Holmes, Ken Zoetewey, Jim and Sheri DeHaan, Eric DeKruif, and Doug De Nooy
New Intern Ranch Hosts
Jim & Sheri DeHaan have agreed to intern as Long Scraggy Ranch hosts following the news of John’s resignation. Jim and Sheri have lived in Colorado since 1991. They attend First Christian Reformed Church where they have been actively involved in various roles.
Jim works as an electrical engineer. His hobbies include yard work, gardening, fishing, & fixing anything that is broken or simply in need of repair. Sheri is a retired Spanish teacher and currently works at Volunteers In Action (VIA) as the volunteer coordinator. Sheri enjoys sewing & quilting, crocheting, baking, cooking, planning parties (& breaking things for Jim to fix). Jim & Sheri have 2 adult children, Micah and Jalissa. Both children are planning weddings for 2021. The DeHaan family loves being outdoors and camping in the Rocky Mountains.
“We have many special memories of our times at Long Scraggy over the last 30 years. It has restored our relationships within our family, cultivated friendships and drawn us closer to our Lord. We are very excited to step into the role as intern Ranch Hosts. We pray that God will continue to utilize Long Scraggy Ranch to bless kids and families.”
FROM CALVIN CAMP BOARD
Calvin Camp board is praying & planning for camp this summer:
4TH to 6th Grades: July 12 to 17
7th to 9th grades: July 19 to 24
Awaiting updates from the CDC: Early registration moved to May 15 and regular registration June 1. Please register at calvincampco.com.
Calvin Camp still needs nurses for camp to happen. Calvin Camp Board also is in need of some new enthusiastic people to join the board. Please contact Linda Holmes, at ldyholmes@gmail.com or call 303-918-8053 for more information.
Roundhouse Update, Open House and Ranch Work Days
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! It looks like in another week or two the Roundhouse repairs will be completed. Just need to finish the new deck and some final touches on the inside.
We have scheduled an open house at Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch on Saturday afternoon, June 5, 2021 to showcase the new roundhouse. Please stop by to see the new Roundhouse, thank the Cloutier family for their 16 years of service, and to enjoy the camp for the afternoon.
We also are in need of some assistance to get the ranch open for the year. Please plan to join us on one or both of the following workdays scheduled for Saturday, May 22 or Saturday, June 5 from roughly 8am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided and you can stay for free that weekend if you are able to help with the work projects. We have a variety of needs from grounds and cabin cleanup to cabin and housing repairs and improvements. Please contact info@longscraggy.org or call 303-838-7770 for more information, to RSVP, or to reserve a cabin or campsite. Letting us know you would like to help on one or both of these days, helps us match your skills with tasks that need to be completed.
Note from Board President
Dear Friends of Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch, my name is Dan Zigterman. I am the current President of the Long Scraggy Board and I want to say thank you for all of your help and support. We have faced many challenges this year. Through all of the challenges, you have been by our side. The Round House repairs are almost complete. We are still feeling the financial impacts from the COVID restrictions, but donations are coming in and our situation is improving. Our Director will be moving on to his next adventure; however, he will be on site for a while and is willing to work with the DeHaans while he transitions out. Lord willing, Calvin Camp will be open this year and Long Scraggy can get back to what it does best “to provide grounds, buildings, and every kind of means and facilities for Christian fellowship, and the promotion of the Christian character and service through spiritual, mental, societal, and physical training.”
