New grant funding has allowed for further development of Ranch Ehrlo’s therapeutic camping program.

The agency received a grant from the Ehrlo Child and Family Foundation to develop leased property at Chitek Lake for summer camping.

The Chitek Lake property was first leased by Ranch Ehrlo circa 1970. The space was used as a seasonal camping destination up until 2002, when significant vandalism forced the demolition of its cabins and closure of its campground. Now, years later, the Ranch is working to re-establish the remote destination as a traditional camping locale.

"We decided to develop the property at Chitek Lake because it's such a beautiful location, a great place to have fun with anyone, and 'living therapy' value is exceptional," said Karl Mack, senior director of residential treatment. "It's an internal asset that Ranch Ehrlo residents and staff can benefit from."

“The life skills opportunities at Chitek Lake are very rich,” he continued. “It’s a beautiful wilderness setting that allows staff and youth to be at peace with themselves, with each other, and with nature.”

The grant funding has afforded Ranch Ehrlo the opportunity to purchase four wall tents for the property, in addition to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), and transporter pontoon boat. The property will also feature pit toilets, a storage shed, sauna, root cellar, cooking and recreation tents, and a tradition teepee.

The Chitek Lake campground was developed along with a third party lease agreement with the Living Sky School Division, which will use the space for outdoor education programs.

An official grand opening ceremony was  held on July 8th with dignitaries and community representatives in attendance. Guest in attendance included Member of Parliament Rob Clarke, Chitek Lake councilman John Vandale, Mayor Doug Struhar,  councillor Marleen Trach, councillor Wilf Epp, Cindy Dick with Saskatchewan Provincial Parks, Wayne Phaneuf on behalf of Honourable Donna Harpauer -  Minister of Social Services, Rick Clark with the RCMP, and Pelican Lake First Nation elder Miriam Thomas.

Ranch Ehrlo’s camping program has long been an integral part of the agency’s summer activities and is considered pivotal in a young person’s experience at the Ranch.

“Therapeutic camping services provide an opportunity rich in experience, with the belief that residents will develop self worth, personal responsibility, and a sense of connection to society and others,” said Linda Meyer, acting president/CEO. “The camping experience is designed to promote self-efficacy and empowerment offering participants the opportunity to do things differently and to break lifelong patterns of failure.”

The therapeutic camping program is one component within a wide range of therapeutic experiences and activities designed to strengthen and complement the overall treatment of the residents.

“Ranch Ehrlo believes strongly in the therapeutic benefits of camping as it encompasses our conceptual supports of environment, activities, and relationships,” explained Randy O’Shaughnessy, director of Residential Treatment.

All camp trips are planned individually to best meet the needs of the particular residential group and may focus on or include cultural and spiritual education, a specific treatment marathon, recreational activities, adventure travel and/or wilderness education.

The therapeutic camp trips follow a framing, leading, and debriefing format involving sequential planning to ensure activities are graduated in their level of difficulty and that transfer of learning is optimized.

Each group home is allotted 36 days of camp programming, with groups averaging about three camps trips per year.