Birch Creek Service Ranch

Birch Creek Service Ranch aims to perpetuate a legacy of Lowell Bennion: To help 12-15 year olds learn to love work, service, and nature by participating in a summer camp program. Bennion started his ranch in Idaho in the early 1960s, and Birch Creek began to offer similar programs in 2003. We help young participants to build character and community as they work hard and play hard in the outdoors. We stress experiencial learning and Doc Bennion's camp creed: 

Learn to like what doesn’t cost much.

Learn to like reading, conversation, music.

Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.

Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills.

Learn to like people, even though some of them may be different…different from you.

Learn to like work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.

Learn to like the songs of birds, the companionship of dogs.

Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house, fixing things.

Learn to like the sunrise and the sunset, the beating of the rain on the roof and windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.

Learn to keep your wants simple, and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

The ranch property and facilities are all owned and managed by the nonprofit, and are the product of generous donations from many supportive individuals and organzations since BCSR's incorporation in 2002. The program has had profound positive effects on generations of participants. Those who have benefited from the tradition want to see the oportunity continue for future generations of participants, enough so that they provide the financial support and effort to maintain the organization and programs. Please join in supporting this great tradition.