Testimonials
Dearest Suzie and Bob,
Last night Isabella came back home with the biggest smile we had ever seen on her little face, the happiest ever and thanking us a million times for sending her to BMR. We want to thank you back for making our daughter so happy and for letting her have the best summer ever (that's what she told us). This has been the best experience we could all give her. Thank you for all the love you gave her these past weeks, you made her feel so comfortable and happy all the time. She can't wait to go back next year and we hope we can send her again. Thank you again for giving our daughter so much joy and love.
Sincerely,
Marco and Georgina Bardone
I remember my first summer at camp. I only signed up initially for 2 weeks since this was the first time that I has spent that much time away from my parents. On the 13th evening, Coach Allen came and got me from my cabin, and had my Mom on the phone and she heard in my voice how much fun I was having and I stayed the rest of the session. Coach also let me have ice cream that night in his house. Not many kids got to spend time inside the house.
I also learned how to call collect whenever we went on field trips. Back then you had to use phone booths and operators. I got pretty good for a 12 yr old.
Being thought of a CIT back then was a big deal to me. The counselors and campers saw something in me way back then that has stayed with me to this day. Most of all it was the friendships that developed and laughs that we had. I can still name everyone that I shared a cabin with and some of the songs that we sang after meals.
When my sister told me that she had been in contact with you, memories just cam flooding back into my head and people that I had not thought of and the things that we did came back. What great times to be a kid. Thanks so much.
- Gray Matlock
Blue Mountain Ranch is not just a camp to me, it's a family. You become part of the BMR family when you are there, and the feeling lasts. I had the priviledge of being a camper for 8 years, and a counselor for 3. It was not just the place I learned to ride a horse and made friends that I still have today, it's the place that helped me find my smile again. I came to BMR fresh from a family tragedy and there was no better place to feel a sense of belonging, find my talents and rebuild my self-esteem.
I learned more than I can possibly describe - about life, friendships, giving, trusting and just being happy. There is such a sense of community and sharing at BMR, and it all centers around Coach Allen's two mottos: "A friend is worth a mountain made of gold", and "Always remember the golden rule". At BMR, you learn that these are both true, at camp and in life. The lessons learned at camp can last a lifetime. They sure have for me, and so have the amazing friends, once in a lifetime experiences and memories that I know changed my life.
At my house, Mommy always tells camp stories, sings camp songs and eagerly awaits the day our children are old enough to ride horseback to the Meadow, dance at the Rec hall, climb Alamo Hill and sing for their mail. Thank God for guiding the Allens and the Grafs to create and carry on this incredible camp where I spent the happiest times of my childhood.
- Marcia Nash Lachman
I was a counselor/baseball coach at Blue Mountain Ranch in the summers of 1960, 1962, & 1963. This was my summer job during my college days at Texas Tech. I still have many photos of the places we went, and many fond memories of the things we did on those trips and at the camp. The experiences we had at the camp are priceless and will never be forgotten.
-Doug Gibbins
My name is Dionne Doche Johnson. I have had the privilege of experiencing B.M.R. as a daughter of a former camper, a camper, and later as a counselor. Very few places on this Earth can offer the scenery, the peace, the serenity, the team-building, and the life-long relationships that B.M.R. can. I feel very fortunate that I have so many fun-filled memories from my adolescence which for many can be awkward and difficult. Coach and Dorothy Allen created a haven at which each camper can enjoy a truly personal experience. Blue Mountain Ranch was my home away from home for many years, and I have always felt (even at 35 years old) that I am always welcome. In fact, I make it a point to visit Bob and Suzie at least once a year with my kids and my husband whom I couldn’t wait to show the place that he had heard so much about. Any child would be lucky to have the opportunity to experience what B.M.R. has to offer. I can honestly say that I am who I am today due to the experiences I had and lessons I learned at Blue Mountain Ranch. B.M.R is still a part of my everyday life. I sing the “Green Trees” goodnight song to my kids every night before they go to bed. “A friend is worth a mountain made of gold that cannot be bought or sold.”
My dad liked Blue Mountain Ranch so much, he suggested I go when I was 10 years old. I liked Blue Mountain Ranch so much I went for six years as a camper and three more as a counselor!
- Mary
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have attended BMR. My only regret is that I did not find out about it sooner. I enjoyed it so much that I gladly returned as a counselor and, now that I am in college, wish on nearly a daily basis that I was back enjoying the friends, fun and crisp mountain air of Blue Mountain Ranch!
- Jeffrey
BMR provides an environment that allows children to relax, make friends, and do what all children should do every day: have fun playing together.
Your Friend,
Ray Manning
Blue Mountain is the camp we wish we could have gone to when we were growing up. The Graf family handle the campers like they are their own kids. You're just flat out lucky if you get a chance to be part of the BMR family. We love Blue Mountain Ranch!
-Harriet and Richard Gibbe
Dallas, Texas
“Blue Mountain Ranch was one of the greatest gifts my parents gave me growing up. It is where I saw my first falling star, climbed my first mountain and rode my first horse. I came back in college as a counselor and loved working for the camp just as much. It is a place where friendships abound and adventures continually happen. Now I look forward to the day my son is old enough to attend. I wouldn’t consider anywhere else except this special, one of a kind place!”
- Pamela Wilder Hurst