Equestrian Camp to Open in Mon Valley

Observer Reporter

By Don Herschell
May 3, 2003

 

An unusual equestrian youth camp will open this summer in the Mon Valley. Shekinah Western Ranch will open about a mile from the Speers exit of Interstate 70, in Twilight Borough. It will teach 8- to 18-year-old children how to ride and care for horses, but it also will teach them about Christ.

"Horses are one of the main attractions that we would use to teach boys and girls," said the Rev. Tom Ravasio, "but we want every boy and girl to know that God loves them and that God's got a plan for them. The teachings of Christianity will be interwoven from start to finish."

The 21-acre camp will open July 6 and will continue with weeklong camps for seven weeks. The last camp of the summer will end Aug. 22.

"The kids will arrive on Sunday afternoon and stay on until Friday evening," Ravasio said.

The weekly camps will be geared to different ages and levels of experience. The schedule is as follows:

  • July 6 to 11 - Cowpokes beginners camp for 8- to 12-year-olds
  • July 13 to 18 - All around cowboy camp (for more experienced horse handlers) for 8- to 12-year-olds
  • July 20 to 25 - Wranglers beginners camp for 13- to 18-year-olds
  • July 27 to Aug. 1 - Wranglers cowboy camp (for more experienced riders) 13- to 18-year-olds
  • Aug. 3 to 8 - Cowpokes beginners camp for 8- to 12-year-olds
  • Aug. 10 to 15 - All around cowboy camp for 13- to 18-year-olds
  • Aug. 17 to 22 - Trailblazers classic camp (for the most experienced) 15- to 18-year-olds

"The boys and girls will learn every aspect of the horse, plus learning how to ride," Ravasio said, adding that all camps are coeducational. "We will close each week with a camp rodeo. Mothers and fathers will come and watch them demonstrate everything they learned on horseback."

Each week of camp will be limited to 20 campers.

The cost of the camp is $350 per week, but the first 75 registrants will pay only $295, Ravasio said. To register or for more information, call 724-483-4343.

Ravasio is pastor of Mon Valley Community Church in Webster, although the camp is not affiliated with the church.

"Shekinah is a Christian-based, nonprofit camp welcoming children and youth of any faith and race," Ravasio said. "We encourage young lives to grow spiritually, mentally, socially and physically. It's an exciting, fun-filled western adventure."

He said he grew up around horses and that he plans to assist in the program but will not direct it. Ravasio said the board is "very close" to naming a camp director.

In addition, there will be a counselor for every five children. Each one will be experienced in horsemanship.

In addition, organizers are looking for volunteers, especially ones with horsemanship experience or construction skills. Volunteers should call 724-258-3222.

"Ever since I was a kid I've been in love with horses," he said. Shekinah has been a vision of mine for about the last 81Ú2 years, and it's just now coming to the place where it's being realized.

"Oh, my goodness!" he said. "It's been a lesson in perseverance and trust, 81Ú2 years later to see the work that the Lord is doing in that time."

What is now Shekinah was previously Bethany Christian Campground, which closed about two years ago when Bethany Bible Fellowship closed. The elders of the church wanted to donate the camp to "a ministry of like mind," Ravasio said, and so they called him and asked if he was interested in the property.

"When they offered it to us, it was just something out of the blue, but it was something wonderful," he said. "After talking with some of my leaders, I realized it was a great opportunity for Shekinah to get started."

The former elders of Bethany Bible Fellowship who donated the property as Barb and Harry Simpson, Olive Krimm and Sylvia Foor. The 100-by-200-foot outdoor riding arena has been named the Jim Foor Riding Arena, after Mrs. Foor's husband, who died two years ago.

The camp has built four 12-by-20 wooden cabins, the last of which was built in memory of one of Ravasio's former board members, Frank Irey. The camp also has a conestoga wagon the was constructed and donated by Bill Henry of Venetia.

It also boasts a miniature golf course, a fishing pond and shower buildings.

"Before opening day we're going to put up basketball and volleyball courts," Ravasio said, "and a pavilion is being built and donated by Dominic Fogiato of Monongahela."

Shekinah is a Hebrew word found in the Old Testament. It refers to the glory of God that is manifest when God is present.

Ravasio chose it as the name of an unnamed white horse that Christ is to ride in the last days: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True." (Revelation 19:11)

He persuaded airbrush artist Pat Marvenko-Smith to paint a depiction of the white stallion, above right, which he plans to use as the camp mascot and in all of the camp's publicity. He said he has also written a fictional children's book in the tradition of the "Left Behind" series.

Titled "Shekinah, the Great White Stallion," it involves the battle between good and evil. He is now "tweaking" the manuscript and has a literary agent searching for a publisher for the book.

Ravasio did a great deal of research before launching Shekinah. He visited one of the nine Circle Square ranches in Canada, and he contacted several Christian equestrian camps such as Faith Ranch in Jewett, Ohio, and River Valley Ranch in Maryland. Although he did not copy their programs, the information he gleaned from those visits and conversations helped him develop the program at Shekinah Ranch, he said.

"The whole inspiration was God-given," Ravasio said. "I was so impressed with the use of horses and the whole western atmosphere and how it attracted boys and girls to the program."


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