Big Springs Ranch for Children

Big Springs Ranch for Children — located 9 miles north of Leakey — was given to HCYR in 1996 by Oma Bell Perry to build a children’s home. Miss Perry settled here in 1928 at age 15, ranching its rugged canyons with goats and cattle for 75 years.

Oma Bell loved the land and she loved children. Though she never had children of her own, Miss Perry delighted in visiting the girls and boys who came to live at their new home on the Frio during its formative years. Until her death in 2003, Miss Perry enjoyed being a grandmother to the children (learn more about our story).

The Ranch surrounds the headwaters of the Frio River and four miles of its banks. The healing qualities of canyons —with the sounds of the river and wildlife — were well-known to Oma Bell. She believed they would create the ideal setting for the emotional healing of children.

And she was right.

BSRC is now a thriving village, with six family-style houses for children, grandparent cottages nearby, and K-12 charter schools. Here, children are surrounded by the beauty of God's creation — and by the people, programs, and places that help them heal and grow.

Through our time-tested enrichment programs, children discover and develop their gifts, find motivation, and build the foundation for a full and meaningful life. Horseback riding, animal care, a chapel, a gym, a vocational shop, a general store, a community center, a library, and thousands of acres of beautiful Hill Country land — all give our kids the tools and the space they need to thrive.

We also have guest houses available for alumni, employees, and friends of the Ranch.