Spring/Summer 2024 Wrangler

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WrangLer Teton Valley Ranch Camp

Spring/Summer

Letter from the Camp Directors Dear Friends of Teton Valley Ranch Camp, As we transition into our camping season with our annual move up to the Ranch, we are grateful to be embarking on the 86th summer of TVRC. While much has changed in this beautiful valley we call home, much about our Camp Program remains the same. The Wyoming Wilderness continues to be challenging and breathtaking. We are in the process of renewing our Grand Teton National Park permits this year, a process we do every 10 years, and are proud to continue many of the same backpacking trips our alumni enjoyed before these permits even existed. We are still running our Crystal Creek and Jack Davis Pack Trips, with the addition of a Wind River Pack Trip near Dubois, and our very own on-camp site, Grizzly Gulch.

Our weekly Rodeos and Chapels remain a highlight of each season. Most importantly, what remains are the principles of building resilience and grit, while also fostering a deep respect for the natural world around us, and making meaningful and lasting connections and friendships through our shared experiences. These keystones have been important since the beginning of Teton Valley Ranch Camp and we believe that, in the digital age our youth are currently living in, this place is more important than ever!

Throughout the year, we continue to hear from our camper parents and alumni, “When will you offer something for us?” This summer we are offering two opportunities, one in July and one in August, for camper parents and alumni to go on a TVRC Pack Trip with the Crystal Creek pack string. We only have a few spots remaining, so if you are interested, please reach out to Jim at jligori@tvrcamp.org soon as we do expect this to sell out. The alumni pack trip will end in time to attend either Boys’ or Girls’ Final Rodeo so the participants can relive those moments with our current campers. Please know that we love to connect with our alumni, so if you find yourself in the area, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

We are proud of the TVRC legacy and all of those who have been part of stewarding that legacy through the generations to today. We believe it is essential that we preserve the rich history of this place, which has been an integral part of so many people’s life stories. We are excited to announce the I Know a Place Archival Project. Thanks to a generous grant from an alumni and additional initial donations, we are moving forward to archive photos and documents, as well as collecting important memorabilia to piece together the story of TVRC. Please be on the lookout for regular updates on this project and opportunities to get involved. In the fall, we will be launching our alumni webpage so we can connect with our camp community and share our TVRC memories together.

It continues to be an honor to serve this amazing organization alongside our alumni, campers, and their families. We are grateful for our community and all the ways you support our program as well as the campers and staff, who will be joining us in just a few weeks.

In Camp Spirit,

Jim and Cora Ligori

Program: Welcoming Our New Director of Advancement We have the privilege of welcoming Haley Preston, our new Director of Advancement, to the team this summer.

Haley is joining us for the first time after working in Admission and Financial Aid at an independent school in Maine. As we charge ahead to another unforgettable summer, we are excited for you to get to know Haley as she joins us on the Ranch in Dubois.

What brings you to TVRC? “Two things that stood out to me immediately were the strength and care of the community. It is obvious that camp has an incredible impact on the lives of young people and to feel the power of a community that believes so strongly in ensuring camp continues in a thoughtful and intentional way is certainly something that drew me in.

As I think about where I am professionally, something I’ve learned about myself over the years, in both the roles I’ve had and through the roles I’ve explored in different job searches, is that I have to believe in the mission of where I am working. That belief in mission is such an important part of, not only professional enjoyment, but also the ability to be effective in a position. There was no doubt in my mind that I believed in TVRC from the first moment and that feeling only continued to grow the more I learned.

Haley Preston

I am also drawn to the opportunity to support the experience of young people in their critical years, an objective upon which much of my career has been focused. As conversations continued throughout my interview process I grew more and more inspired by the TVRC philosophies and found myself wishing I had known about TVRC growing up. I am excited to join an organization that has a long standing history and tradition paired with a thoughtful and intentional program. My hope is to support the future of TVRC to ensure many generations of campers have the opportunity to spend their summers learning and growing in the Tetons.”

Did you go to camp growing up? If not, what was your introduction to the camp world before TVRC (if any)?

“Yes, but not with the same structure or significance of experience as the TVRC program. I would do week-long opportunities here and there with a number of sports camps in the mix. My most impactful camp experience came from growing up on the border of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and attending a week-long camp at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. I learned all about the park’s biodiversity, the impacts of its different ecosystems, and came to understand my role in the natural world.

That experience was one that really guided me towards the educational opportunities I pursued in the future, from my course selection throughout high school and college to spending a semester at High Mountain Institute in Colorado. High Mountain Institute was a capstone environmental education experience for me and led me to find professional opportunities that incorporated a balance of outdoor education or outdoor access. Living in Maine, I have certainly had great access, but living in Teton County is unparalleled when it comes to how that outdoor access can positively impact learning opportunities” What is it about the intersection of education and the outdoors has you excited to join the Team and dive into the summer camp industry?

“There is incredible value and power in facing challenges in outdoor settings, often as a group, where you are learning how to lead and follow paired with developing an understanding of your responsibility as an individual in the natural world. I think to have those experiences as a young person, whether it becomes the focal point of your life or not, equips you with incredibly transferable lessons. At TVRC campers are having these experiences while feeling the care and connection of the community, allowing for intentional conversations and growth opportunities over the course of a summer season. The intersection of the education and the outdoors that TVRC can provide is invaluable, and is something I find inspiring. I look forward to talking to the parent who is dropping their child off for their first summer at TVRC and then connecting four weeks later to hear about the growth they see in their child. Those are the conversations and moments I am looking forward to the most.”

What do you want the TVRC community to know about you?

“My background is primarily in education with work in independent schools and a few years coaching lacrosse and field hockey at the college level. The constant in my career is that I have sought experiences that focus on creating opportunities and opening doors for young people who are learning, growing, and figuring things out. I would say that I am passionate about creating and leaning into growth opportunities for others. I was grateful to grow up in independent school communities, all of which had a profound impact on who I am today. It was my gratitude for those experiences that set me on my career trajectory, of which this role at TVRC is a very natural progression. I feel a responsibility to give back, and the Director of Advancement role is one where I feel I can be connected to the community and support TVRC’s future in a meaningful way.

My goal in the months ahead is to have conversations and hear as many TVRC stories as I can— allowing me to best articulate how TVRC has changed the lives of its campers and families. I am excited to connect with those associated with camp, including those who we haven’t heard from recently, and share where camp is now while also highlighting the role they can play in supporting TVRC moving forward. I welcome the opportunity to schedule a conversation with anyone who is eager to connect! Personally, I am passionate about being outdoors and love hiking, skiing, and playing golf. Sharing those activities with friends and family is what fills my cup. To have many of these passions intersect with work is something that is exciting to me. I have some personal connections to the west, with two sisters living in Boulder, CO, and to the Jackson area, spending parts of summers and holidays at my grandparents house in Wilson. I grew up dreaming of living in Teton County, which I am sure is a common dream for many kids, especially former TVRC campers. I am grateful to have a career opportunity that aligns with my professional goals, allows me to move to Jackson, and most importantly introduces me to a caring community. I am excited to be at camp this summer to experience the many traditions I have heard about and see the magic of TVRC in action.”

Program: Seasonal Staff Spotlights Each summer season, we welcome more than a 100 summer staff to the Ranch to support our operations and create life-changing experiences for our campers. We would like to take a moment to highlight and celebrate a few of our returning staffers and showcase the impressive work they do when they are not with us on the Ranch. We asked each of these individuals how their experiences on staff at TVRC have supported their pursuits away from the ranch.

Hannah King: Head Pack-trip Leader- Fourth Season Undergraduate: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Major: Chemistry “I am currently in my third year of Veterinary School at North Carolina State.”

Hannah King

Hannah’s Comments: “My experiences working at TVRC have allowed me to grow my personal skills and working traits that are not taught in the classroom. In school, we focus on the animal science needed to be a successful veterinarian, but at TVRC I have learned to work hard, be adaptable in changing environments, have flexibility, and work with all sorts of different people. By spending my summers at TVRC I can take a step away from the textbooks and focus on those essential soft skills.”

Jake Billington: Co-Head of Barn - Third Season “Coming from Wrexham, Wales, I did not have a traditional University experience. Away from the Ranch, I work breaking horses in New Jersey and Florida for a contractor that provides horses for the U.S. Olympic Team.”

Jake’s Comments: “In my first year at TVRC I learned about The Code of the West. Two codes in particular, Take Pride in your Work and Do What has to be Done, resonated with me and are Jake Billington ones I incorporate into my daily life. TVRC has been great at teaching me that no job is beneath you and, instead of trying to get out of it, you will accomplish more if you choose to get into it. Additionally, the community that you build at TVRC gives you a completely different perspective on the communities you build away from the Ranch. For me, it has changed my perspective in terms of who I surround myself with and the impact I hope to have on the people I connect with.”

Program: Seasonal Staff Highlights melina Slinn: Logistics Manager - Third Season Undergraduate: St. Lawrence University Major: Neuroscience Minors: Public Health, Math “Away from the Ranch, I am a Behavioral Therapist for Neurodiverse Children, specifically early intervention for children on the autism spectrum.”

Melina’s Comments: “TVRC teaches kids that one of the most valuable learning experiences is stepping outside your comfort zone and celebrates both the success and failures that come with that. A quote I use in practice and at TVRC is, “Don’t do for a kid what they can almost do themselves”. I work with kids one-on-one as a behavioral therapist. The goal is to give them the tools they Melina Slinn need to handle situations in the real world, which is exactly what TVRC does with their campers. It is cool to see the parallels in the work, from a Trailblazer running their own backpacking trip to seeing a student I work with during the year be able to regulate their emotions and the environment around them.”

Billy Gooch: Barn Staff - Fourth Season on Staff, 2019 Trailblazer Undergraduate: University of Colorado Major: Media Production “I will begin my sophomore year at the University of Colorado in the fall.”

Billy Gooch

Billy’s Comments: “What is special about working at TVRC is that it provides an opportunity for young employees to assume responsibility beyond what they would on other ranches or in other professions. Working on the Barn Staff has allowed

me to learn the logistics that go into the barn program and work with many different types of people on the staff and as campers. While the stakes feel really high the truth is that camp has our backs and will support us if we make a mistake. Working here, no matter what program, allows staff members to build confidence and gain professional experience in a high stress but low stakes environment.”

Program: Seasonal Staff Highlights Walker Bryant: Boys Season Counselor- Third Season Undergraduate: University of Georgia Major: Management Information Systems Minor: Computer Science, Law Jurisprudence and The State “In the Fall, I am beginning my Master of Science in Business Analytics at UGA” Walker’s Comments: “As a staff member at TVRC, I have gained significant leadership experience working with so many different individuals from campers to other staff members. I am aware that I am responsible for setting a good example and hope that I am showing campers where they can be in their life. Knowing that my example shows through to the younger generation makes me work harder to show campers they can do anything they set their mind to, even if they fail at times.

Walker Bryant At TVRC, we talk about meeting people where they are. It is an essential part of supporting campers in their experience and, away from the Ranch, has helped me to find common ground with individuals when we have diverse perspectives.”

Billy Gooch, Hannah King, Walker Bryant, Melina Slinn, and Jake Billington during 2024 Staff Training

News from the pony express Milestone Updates Crispin Muzzy Nichols and Daniel Nichols were married on February 10, 2024 in Mexico.

Leslie Muzzy Walter and Jim Walter welcomed their second child, Gray Callahan Walter on March 5, 2023.

in memoriam It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Lucy West and Richard “Dick” Niner. Lucy, an ‘88 Trailblazer, is remembered by her cabin-mates as a fierce friend. Dick was a former Camper Parent, past Board Member, and an ardent champion of TVRC.

Joe “JB” Billings published his first book, Journeys of a Pure Naturalist on April 15th.

Update your Information If you haven't updated your address or contact information with us recently, please fill out our alumni information update form using the QR code on this page or by visiting our website at: https://www.tvrcamp.org/alumni-contact-updates

Wrangler Flashback: Winter 1989 Well it’s up and out early, it’s the break of dawn. Roll out of bed and pull my cowboy boots on. I can smell those flapjacks cooking, hear the sizzle in the pan. Oh, boy, we’re going on The Breakfast Ride.

A new addition to the riding activities last summer was the popular Breakfast Ride. The creak of the saddle leather and the misty breathing of the horses in the early morning light is unforgettable. How about watching a spectacular Teton sunrise while riding– what a thrill!

Early morning is a great time to see wildlife, too.

A cheery “hooowah!” greets you as you approach the breakfast camp. Juice and hot chocolate are ready with bacon and a stack of tasty pancakes. The wonderful smells really get the taste buds hopping. So tie your horse up, and come on over by the crackling fire to fill up on a good hearty breakfast.

A leisurely ride back to the barn caps off a great morning. It is hard to describe the good feeling one gets from being up early to see the dawn of a new day.

Approaching the Cowboy Kitchen, Breakfast Ride 2023

Prior to 1989, Breakfast Rides were not part of the regular rotation of activities for campers but reserved for special times and specific age groups.

The Foundation The rebuild of Eagles’ Rest, a staff cabin, is complete and can now house up to twelve staff members in four rooms, up from housing a total of five staff members in the previous structure. This winter we also added three more horses to the TVRC herd: Daisy, a 12 year-old mare; Reba, a 4 year-old mare; and Big Red, a 9 year-old gelding that stands at 16.3 hands. Elsewhere around the Ranch, your gifts are making a difference, too, with major repairs to the hood vent system in the Kitchen currently in process and the installation of a new convection oven.

If you are interested in supporting our ongoing work to maintain the Ranch Facility and keep TVRC accessible for years to come, you can contact Paige Nielsen (pnielsen@tvrcamp.org) or Haley Preston (hpreston@tvrcamp.org) and give online at: https://www.tvrcamp.org/foundation/givingto-tvrc/donation-form.

This winter we also wrapped up our 85k for 85 campaign through the TVRC x Silver Oak Fundraiser with a grand total of $86,780 raised.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort– your continued support makes everything we do possible.

TVRC Archive Project

Have a story or photos to share?

We are excited to launch the I Know a Place Archival Project this fall. This project includes collecting, safely archiving, and showcasing our important documents, photos, and more from our past so we can better tell the stories of our history.

Please be on the lookout for the launch of our Alumni webpage this fall to follow this project and learn how to get involved. If you don’t already, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our Youtube. Please share your memories with us– written, photographed, or otherwise.

You can share your alumni stories and photos with camp by emailing Haley at hpreston@tvrcamp.org or by calling the office at 307-733-6122. If you have items you wish to mail to TVRC, please email with Haley for the appropriate mailing address.

Archive: Flashback Photos Photos from Mary Ellen wilson’s Personal Archive

Archive: Flashback Photos Selected Photos from The 1990s

Join us for a Final Rodeo!

Boys' Season: July 9, 2024

Girls' Season: August 10, 2024 stay in touch with TVRC! Like our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TVRCamp Follow us on Instagram: @tvrcamp Checkout our videos on Youtube: www/YouTube.com/ TVRCamp