Shekinah Western Ranch Camp

Christian Equestrian Camp Ends First Season, Prepares for Second

By Don Herschell
August 16, 2003

For the past month and a half, Shekinah Western Ranch in the Mon Valley has held weekly camps for youngsters.

As the camp concludes its first summer of operation this weekend, the Rev. Tom Ravasio is declaring it an unbridled success. Leaders at the Christian equestrian camp are already preparing for next year, and Ravasio is anticipating twice as many campers.

Shekinah averaged 10 campers per week, although it had to open on short notice with little advance publicity.

"We have had one wonderful experience out here this summer. It's exceeded all of our expectations," Ravasio said. "We knew that kids were going to be very excited about the program. They can't wait to come back. The parents were astonished at the transformation of their kids."

Ravasio said volunteers will build another barn before next summer, and the camp will double the number of horses. In the meantime, organizers are exploring the possibility of offering private and group horseback riding lessons and hopes to offer such programs soon. It also will offer the use of Shekinah camp to retreat groups, with or without horses.

Ravasio described a tearful board member who was overwhelmed by one of the weekly Friday night ceremonies that begin with campers parading in on horseback and carrying the American flag, the Christian flag and the Shekinah flag and then performed the equestrian skills they had learned during the week. He also recounted how one parent was amazed that her son had such a good time that he begged her to let him come back the following week.

"That was repeated so many times that I can't even begin to tell you," Ravasio said. "These kids are anxious to come back."

He said the board's conclusion that the number of campers will double next year is based on "our gut feeling because of the parents that have taken the kids home and said, 'We'll be back and we're bringing friends.'"

The main attractions, he said, were the horses and the swimming pool. But everything was done with a Christian focus.

"We had chapel every morning, and every boy and girl clearly understood God's love for them and God's plan," Ravasio said. "There is a lot of interest in horses in Washington County. This is unique, and it gives us a chance to combine horsemanship and Christianity."

Shekinah was previously Bethany Christian Campground, but two years ago the church that had owned the campground disbanded and church elders began looking to donate the property to a suitable ministry. They contacted Ravasio, pastor of Mon Valley Community Church, about using the 21 acres to his Christian equestrian camp.

"They are just very pleased that it's turned out the way it has," Ravasio said of the church elders. "They just understand if very clearly now. God had them reserve it so that the day would come that Shekinah Ranch would own it."

Many campers who couldn't afford the $350 registration fee attended through a scholarship program, Project Saddleup, through which companies or individuals sponsored low-income children. Now the Shekinah board is looking for volunteers to help put up the new barn and to do general maintenance such as plumbing and electrical work during the off-season.

Ravasio said Shekinah is already starting to produce its materials for 2004. With enough interest, the camp will run from the first week of June to the last week of August. For more information, call 724-483-4343.

"We're taking pre-registration now because we know it's going to book up early," he said. "We're building on everything we've learned."