Kent and Gretchen Collard
Kent and Gretchen have been the Camp Directors since 1998. Kent grew up spending summers and holidays at the ranch with his grandparents, Grover and Erma Gates. He worked on the ranch crew and as the Ranch Manager before becoming Director. Kent has a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and an MA in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Gretchen was a camper, a counselor, the CILT Director, and Staff Director. She has a BA in Spanish Literature from UC Davis, and an MA in Social Work from UCLA. Gretchen has over 25 years of experience working with children and families as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Kent and Gretchen have three children, Melia, Weston, and Olin. Their family lives on the ranch with their dog Lyla.
Laura Higley
Laura first came to camp with her parents when she was 4 years old… and hasn’t missed a summer since! She was a camper for years, worked as a counselor and CILT Director during college, and moved into the Assistant Director position in 1990. Laura accepted the additional position of Office Manager in 1998 and moved to the ranch to live and work full-time. Laura earned a BS in Human Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis. She and her husband Paul have two children, Taryn and Grayson.
Emma Bundy
Emma first came to the Bar 717 Ranch as a nine-year-old camper. After two weeks of barely leaving the barn except to eat or sleep, she was hooked on camp. Emma joined the counseling staff in 2005, and worked as a counselor for four summers. She graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with degrees in Public Policy & Law and Hispanic Studies, and holds a Masters in Public Administration from New York University. After spending several years working in the Bay Area nonprofit and education sectors, Emma is thrilled to be back at the ranch. Emma and her husband, Sam (also a Bar 717 alum), have two kids, Jack and Owen, and a dog named Beadie.