Post shared by Julie Conway, camp alumna, parent, family camper, and member of the Bar 717 Ranch Advisory Board. 

I started going to the Bar 717 Ranch in 1971. I was 15 years old. My sisters started going the summer before and loved it so much I decided I better try it too. I just found a letter I wrote to Erma and Grover after that summer and in the letter I said:

“I can’t express how much I enjoyed it. It has been one of the most fulfilling summers I have ever had.”

I have not gone too many years since 1971 without spending part of every summer at the Bar 717 Ranch. My husband Jeff, daughters Jessica and Jenna, son in law Eric, and grandson Ema also love spending part of their summer at camp. It has come to feel like a 2nd home for all of us. One of my favorite camp memories was having a horse that felt like my own named Jessie Sue. Each summer I would spend most of my time in the barn training and riding Jessie Sue. Of course I also loved the amazing friends I made that I am still very close to today. I have always believed that every child who gets to spend a part of their summer at the Bar 717 Ranch is the luckiest child in the world!

Community stories are shared by campers, counselors, alumni and friends. Have a camp story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you.