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Land Gift Offers Multiple Opportunities |
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A cave forms the path for the headwaters of the Frio to flow out of a hole in the side of a limestone cliff and down into the river and through the valley to make a series of waterfalls. Spelunkers from around the world have explored the cave within the mountain and believe it to be 7 miles long and one of the state's most beautiful undeveloped caverns.
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The legendary "Country of 1100 Springs" was given to Hill Country Youth Ranch in 1996 as a 7000 acre working ranch and haven for abused and orphaned children, and as a place for seniors to retire, bringing their experience to help and teach. A Charter School operates on campus to provide comprehensive individualized education to resident students. The sheer vastness and beauty of the land begs for a carefully evolved plan for its many possibilities. So far, a wilderness area of 2500 acres in a remove stretch of the canyon has been designated as a campground area and set aside for youth groups, churches, and others. The legendary ranch includes the "Big Springs", headwaters of the Frio River. Great care has been taken in the development of this Texas treasure. A nature conservancy has been designated for this area, with limited access by trails. A retreat cabin for caregivers, alumnae, and contributors helps us welcome pilgrims from all over the country to visit, rest and join in the healing and peace-giving atmosphere. Visitors are welcome to tour the village and experience the beauty of this natural wonder. Opportunities include wilderness camping, hiking and backpacking, volunteerism, RV camping, cattle drives, and more. See how you can help the ministry to grow, or get involved in the development of ideas about how to best utilize this incredible landscape. |
Big Springs Ranch Brief History of Big Springs Ranch
AKA: The Place of a Thousand Angels ~~~
Miss Oma Bell Perry, on the day in 1996 when she gave away Big Springs Ranch for charitable development. |
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Programs that volunteers have brought to utilize the land's resources and opportunities, and to teach children |
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Outdoorsmen of various kinds have been attracted to come to Big Springs Ranch to bring a skill, to teach children, and to enjoy this remarkable land. From left, they have included a group of traveling RVers, "Snowbirds" from northern states, called SOWERS (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready) who came during winter months to help with construction and maintenance and to mentor children while using their expertise to install a 20-site RV Park for others to enjoy as well. Next, a Baptist men's ministry from Abilene annually brings barrels of trout in December and stocks the river near its headwaters. They return on weekends throughout the spring to teach the art of fly fishing to the children. The fish, needing the cold water, are all usually gone by May, necessitating restocking each year. Third, Michael Priour, Ranch manager, brings youth groups from summer camps and churches to camp out and enjoy the wilderness. A bathhouse provides a place to clean up and wash clothes. Cattle drives are also pare of programs aided by volunteer supervisors who help children learn the life of the cowboy of another era. All that is required to apply to host a program is a good idea, and willingness to use an expertise to teach children to see with new eyes what's all around them. |
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