View from the A Frame

Today is December 14, 2009. I am going to Ute Trail Ranch on Saturday, Dec 19th. I will take pictures of the construction and post these on this blog next week. The cabins should be framed up by now.

Our caretakers, Bill and Ann Carpenter, are back living at the camp which pleases me. I hope they are enjoying the beautiful snow we just had.

I have a book to recommend to you. It is "The Earth is the Lord's, Christians and the Environment" It is written from a Southern Baptist Conference in 1991 and gives a good perspective on Christians' responsibilty for the environment. It discusses how the central idea in the bible about stewardship is that God is the Creator and Owner of all that exists. We are stewards and/or trustees. We are responsible to God for how we treat the earth and its resources. This perspective is helpful when trying to make decisions about the environment today. This book was written in 1991 and is more important today than it was 18 years ago. You can order this on Amazon.com or let me know if you are interested in having a copy.

Last Tuesday, December 8, 2009, my aunt, Sadie Seay, died at the age of 94. She and her late husband, Charles E. Seay, my uncle, owned Ute Trail Ranch from 1978 to 1993. They were gracious to give us some time in 1993 to consider repurchasing the ranch and I am so grateful to them that we were able to buy it back. It has been a blessing for me and my family to be able to own the ranch again and to work on the Christian camping ministry that is there. The Seays were giving people who helped thousands of people in the areas of medicine, education, recreation, the arts and also friends to stray animals through Operation Kindness. They were two of the most important people in my life. I miss them and their son, Charles Seay Jr, who predeceased them.

When I return I will post my pictures of our construction progress. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

George Seay

View from the A Frame

Hello, everyone, today is November 11, 2009. Things are going well at Sky Ranch at Ute Trail. Here is a brief report on what we are doing:

1. We have completed the wastewater treatment plant. This includes the pipes, house, tanks and everything else needed. It will be put into usage this spring.
2. We have completed most of the fire protection water system. There is still some work to be done at the pond.
3. The road is complete from the highway to the basketball court. The remainder to the west will be completed next spring.
4. We have done the foundations for 4 cabins and are framing up these 4 cabins now. This week we are starting the foundation for the meeting room. The room has been detached from the store due to some store foundation problems, butI think this might look better.
5. Leigh Dillenback, our designer, has begun work on plans for the new dining area behind the lodge and for converting the infirmary and kitchen to better usage. Also, we have hired Rainmaker in Montrose to do a design for our landscaping this spring.

The work looks good. Matt and Luke Ventura are on the job daily and Spallone Construction has done a good job on the wwtp and road. Bill and Ann Carpenter, our excellent caretakers/cook have taken off for 4-6 weeks but will return soon. Here are some pictures that I took several weeks ago.

Thomas Ufer has been named Director of Programs for Sky Ranch at Ute Trail and Gary Morgan and Chris Witt are to serve as Co Directors of Sky Ranch at Ute Trail. In my opinion this is an extremely gifted and outstanding threesome to lead our camping programs. They are spiritual leaders.

The Rock Staff Reunion in Dallas was excellent and we had a good turnout of over 30 people. We had dinner at Mattito's and then took turns sharing information on what everyone has been doing. Thomas Ufer and Angie Fleshman did a great job of organizing everything for us. Kevin and Laura Sipp also were a big help. Part of the evening was set aside to honor Doug and Julie McClain who have been a key part of the camp since 1997. Several of the staff spoke about how important and helpful the McClains have been and they were given a framed picture of out 2007 reunion. Doug and Julie have been involved in every aspect of our programs for 12 years and have been crucial to our growth and improvement as a ministry serving God in His great Creation. Doug is currently the Director of Operations for Sky Ranch Camps. We are all grateful for their positive influence over the years.

Angie and I and maybe my wife, Nancy, will attend a Christian Camping and Conference Center conference with seminars in late November and hopefully we will learn something useful for the coming summers. Linda Paulk, Sky Ranch's CEO and Chris Witt, Sky Ranch's Director of Camps may attend also.

It is a privilege to be involved in this Christian Ministry of Evangelism and Discipleship in the middle of God's amazing Creation. We hope our new improvements will fit in nicely with the magnificance of the San Juan Mountains where we are. We have some excellent pictures done by Sara Kerens from our August Ute Trail Boys Camp Reunion. Here is the link to the website: www.pictage.com/708855.
Thanks for reading and taking an interest in this ministry.

Sincerely,

George Seay, Trustee, Ute Trail; Ranch Foundation


ps. We have Park Cities Presbyterian Church and Prestonwood Baptist Academy each signed up for two weeks next summer. Two great organizations! My church, Highland Park Presbyterian Church has signed up for two trips for next summer.

Your Donation Makes a Difference!

Every summer Sky Ranch Ute Trail serves over 1000 students, children and adults through 3 life-changing ministries: Family Camp, High School Leadership Camp (Quest/Sigma) and Wilderness Adventures. Ute Trail is currently undergoing a significant building project to increase our capacity and meet the needs of these three growing ministries. In addition to the cabin renovations that have already been completed, construction is underway to build a new meeting space, 5 new family camp cabins, lodge renovations and infrastructure such as a new waste water treatment plant, entry road and water/fire suppression system. Making these improvements will allow us to serve over 1500 people each summer!

With three ministries simultaneously being held on the property and increasing our capacity for this coming summer, we have a variety of needs that you can meet by providing funds for the items listed below. If you would like to give an undesignated financial gift we are happy to see that your donation is used for the most needed items. New or gently used items are appreciated. Any donation that you are able to make is greatly appreciated and will go to serve the campers and families at Sky Ranch Ute Trail.

Thank you in advance for your donation.

Sincerely,
The Ute Trail Ranch Alumni Association


WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN GIVE

1. Wilderness Backpacks

The past two summers Ute Trail has seen incredible growth in the backpacking program. We have been so blessed to experience this growth; however, our Kelty external frame backpacks are in great need of retirement. It is our goal to replace the entire fleet of backpacks with internal frame packs before this summer which will cost approximately $6,000 ($120 a backpack)!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate a partial or full amount towards new backpacks to be used next summer.

Internal Frame Backpack and Rain Cover-$120 Goal: 50 backpacks


2. Scholarships
Sky Ranch Ute Trail provides powerful experiences in which students and families grow in their relationships with each other and with God. Our vision is to make this experience available to every child and family no matter their financial background. Below are the costs to send one backpacker on trail, one student to leadership camp and one family to family camp - your donation will make a difference.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate a partial or a full scholarship and provide financial assistance to help send a child/family through a life changing opprotunity at Sky Ranch Ute Trail.

Wilderness-$435/camper Goal: 50 scholarships
Quest/Sigma 2 week camper-$1,800 Goal: 20 scholarships
Family Camp- $2,200/family Goal: 10 families


3. Wish List
In addition to wilderness backpacks and scholarships, Sky Ranch Ute Trail has a list of items that are needed in order to run their programs and provide a welcoming retreat for guests. As a nonprofit, Sky Ranch Ute Trail relies on the generosity of those who wish to support it's mission.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate an item from the wish list that you are excited about giving.

Activities & Sporting Equipment
Nets for Soccer Goals ($100)
Bocce Ball set and Storage Chest ($200)
Wooden Checkers/Chess Tables ($300)
Sand, 5 yards for Volleyball Court ($400)
Zip Line (appx. $10,000)
Alpine Swing (appx. $10,000)

Wilderness Equipment
4 Golites ($200/item; $800 total)
8 Family Camp Kayaks ($350/kayak; $2,800 total)
Trail clothes for rental ($500)
Rock climbing Gear ($2,000)

Vehicles
Van ($18,000)
4-Door Truck ($15,000)
2 6-8 Passenger Rubicon Jeeps ($40,000)

Kitchen
Ice Machine ($1,700)
Hobart Dish Machine ($7,000)
Dishes ($1,000)

Lodge
Porch Swing ($250)
Tables & Table Clothes for Family Camp ($1,000)
Dining Chairs ($4,000)
Furniture for Lodge ($4,000)
New Carpeting (appx. $6,000) Camp Store
Picture Frames for history display ($100)
10 Strands of white fairy lights ($100) Office
Combo copier/printer/fax/scanner ($2,000)

Storage
Shelves for Linen Closet ($500)
Storage Shed for Quest/Sigma ($1,000)

General Improvements & Purchases
Hammocks ($100)
Lock Box Med Kits ($200)
Automatic light timer for porch lights ($250)
Flowers ($300)
Bear proof trash can lids ($1,000)
Wood Splitter ($1,250)


HOW TO MAKE YOUR DONATION
Checks
Please make checks out to Sky Ranch Foundation.
Mail to: Sky Ranch, 600 N. Pearl Street, Suite 640, LB 148, Dallas, TX 75201
In the memo please write the letters "UTRAA" followed by the item/scholarship for which you are designating your donation.

Credit Card or In-Kind Donations
Contact Jennie Piehl at 469-484-4840 or jenniep@skyranch.org.

If you would like information on ministry programs of Sky Ranch, please call 903-266-3300 or visit http://www.skyranch.org/utetrail.

Summer 2009

Today is Labor Day, September 7, 2009. I have been back in Dallas since September 2nd. The 2009 summer at Sky Ranch at Ute Trail was outstanding. We had good attendance in all three of our programs, Family Camping, Quest Sigma leadership Camp and our Wilderness Ministry.

Our staff did a great job and exemplified servant leadership at its best. Our kitchen staff prepared wonderful meals that everyone enjoyed. Our guests all seemed to enjoy the camp program and we have had a good signup for next summer so far. All in all it was one of our best summers ever.

Also, we had a scholarship family camp week for military families and a reunion for Ute Trail Boys Camp 1946-1973.

Tomorrow we get underway with our 9 month building program which should result in our having 4 new cabins, a meeting room, a new wastewater treatment plant, a fire protection system and new road in place by June 1, 2010. Our builders, Matt and Luke Ventura and Nick Spallone are ready to start and continue this project until completion.

We will be able to accomodate 10 families per week next summer as well as our two other programs usual numbers.

This month of September is possibly the most beautiful month of the year at Ute Trail Ranch with the Aspen trees turning gold and yellow.

Next week we have a fishing retreat planned for Park Cities Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas with 19 men attending. The fishing has been good all summer and we now have 3 beautiful Golden Trout in the river. We have been catching 10 inch to 22 inch trout this summer.

Our museum in the old barn was completed last month and presents a history of Ute Trail Ranch since its founding in 1883,

Until next time,

George Seay

Hi everyone, today is July 19th and my wife, Nancy and I are at Ute Trail Ranch.  Today is the hottest day I remember in 2009.  The high will be around 76 degrees.  Today is Sunday and 6 new families are coming to the camp and 2 wilderness groups are coming in today.  We already have a Quest/Sigma group here.  They went rock climbing yesterday at Hartman Rocks in Gunnison.

We have just got our computer to work after a week of frustration.  Dave Hoffman, who worked with Nancy on John Stott Ministries helped us get it working.  Dave and his wife, Leanne, and their daughter, Lexi, are visiting us for three days.  Dave is a good fisherman and has caught 9 fish the last two days, one a rainbow about 19-20 inches long.  His other catches have been rainbows and browns from 14 to 18 inches.

During the summer we are working on the new water treatment plant across the highway near the cliff going down to the river.  This plant is a major undertaking and should be completed in November.  We have had a good deal of rain and everything looks green and good.  

The staff this summer has been excellent.  They are hardworking and dedicated to their jobs of helping others enjoy a good time at camp and have a positive Christian experience.  

We just completed an adventure trip where our wilderness guides took a group to do three things, backpacking in the Crested Butte area, kayaking on Blue Mesa Reservoir and then rafting on the Taylor River.  It was enjoyable and successful and I hope we have more of these.  We are open to working out plans and schedules that the groups want to do.

I have been working on getting our sprinkler system operating right for a month and a half now and I have started doing things manually.  I hope I can get some more green in our new soccer field and around our pond.

The horseback program is going well and our wrangler, Collins, is a good leader for our riders.  We hope next summer we can add to our number of horses and have two wranglers.

Bill Zukoski and his wife, Karen, and daughter, Amy, were here last week and added a lot to our family camp as they did last year.  Bill is the founder and director of Practice Ministries, a Dallas Bible study for parents and children.

We have a recycling program at the camp now where we recycle all of our plastic, paper, glass and other items.  We hope it sets a good example for the guests we have.  Another addition to the camp is new rocking chairs for the cabin decks.  Everyone is enjoying these.

In my next blog I will cover the final plans for what we will do this fall and winter to improve the camp further.

Sincerely,

George Seay Jr., Co Trustee

Ute Trail Ranch Foundation

View from the A Frame

Today is June 27, 2009.  I have been away from Ute Trail Ranch for 17 days and I am wishing I were back at the ranch.  The weather in Dallas has been unusually hot for June with 4 or 5 days of 1oo degrees or more.  Nancy and I go to Colorado on July 8th so I have 11 more days before I return.

My son, George, and his family(Sarah, Margaret , George and Elizabeth) just returned from Ute Trail and they had a good time.  They agreed with me that the camp food is excellent and they enjoyed river rafting, horseback riding and hatchet throwing.  George will be coming back with a group in September.  George has been a great encourager about the camp ministries and he and Sarah have added so much to our program and facility.

When I read my John Stott Thought of the Day it stressed that we Christians are servants and we have ministries which help other people.  It was very good!  John Stott understands and communicates Jesus better than any writer in my opinion.

We have completed 4 weeks of the 11 weeks of camp.  Right now the staff is off until the new families and groups come in tomorrow.  I hope they are getting plenty of rest.  George and Sarah told us that they thought our guests were really enjoying the camp program.  The Morgans are doing an excellent job.

I just finished reading "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer.  This book is about Chris McCandless, a young man from Atlanta, who began an odyssey when he graduated from college that took him all over the western United States and ended when he died of starvation and possibly poisoning in Alaska in August of 1992.  Chris hiked into an area called the Stampede Trail in upper Alaska and survived for 109 days on his own with a 22 rifle.  He shot squirrels, duck, ptarmigan, grouse, a moose and some other animals and he gathered and ate berries and other edible plants.  He wanted to be free of civilization and live in a natural state.  It is a sad ending.  It made me realize how important it is to be able to call for help.  On our wilderness trips we have satellite phones and our trips are always led by well trained guides who are in excellent physical condition.  Our wilderness coordinator, Thomas Ufer, was among the first guides in our program in 1997 and has worked for this ministry almost every year since then.  He is a good combination of wilderness guide and Christian leader.  We are fortunate to have him.  He is assisted in leadership this summer by Amy Dalton, who also has a good amount of experience in leading young people in wilderness settings.

Jon Krakauer(sp?) is a good writer.  I also recommend "Into Thin Air" by him.  It is about the Everest climb 15 or so years ago when one of the guides died and Dr Bek Weathers suffered frostbite and some blindness.  One other book I recommend is "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose.  This is a very good book about the Lewis and Çlark expedition 1804 to 1806.

I am pleased to know that a few people are following this blog.  I hope you find it interesting and informative.  I am trying to keep it fairly short.

We just received another approval on our wastewtp and I hope we can finish this by November 1st.  We have as a guest this week, David McWilliams and his family.  David is the former head football coach at the U. of Texas Austin who led the team to a conference championship in the early 1990s.  

david and his wife, Cindy, and their four children are dedicated trout fishermen and love fishing on the Lake Fork.  David was a frequent guest of my Uncle, Charles Seay, when he owned the ranch from 1978 to 1993.  We are glad David still likes to visit the ranch and fish

Until next time stay relaxed and loose and enjoy life.

George Seay

View from the A Frame

Today is June 23, 2009, Tuesday.

We are in the 3rd week of camp with family camp, Quest/Sigma and wilderness camp all underway. We have 9 new kayaks for our family camp program and 2 new canoes for it also. We have opened Powderhorn which is now a duplex with a 3 washer/dryer laundromat and we have completed our new stonewall, soccer field, pond, softball field and horseshoes layout.

I was there the first week of camp and the food was delicious. Gary and Deena Morgan and their staff had the camp looking as good as I have seen it. We now have a new store with great merchandise and drinks and snacks and we have a barn/museum which has pictures of old Ute Trail days and information on the US migration west. We hope all guests and visitors will want to visit both places.

In August(25-27) we will have the Ute Trail Boys Camp Reunion which will include a concert by Karin Marie and Pony Express, a Buena Vista western singing group. Karin is the Colorado state yodeling champion and very good singer.

Please drop by this summer if you are in the area and see our improvements.

George Seay