Testimonials
She NEVER tells us about her day, [but]she was talking about everything she did yesterday until she fell asleep in her soup mid-sentence. Mother of Ashley
“Last year Griff came away from his Devils Gulch experience with an enhanced sense of responsibility. It is something that I'd like to see him build upon. Thank you” Richard
What a great week that was for him. I swear he seemed taller and more confident when he came back. Do you run any programs during breaks other than summer? LEE
I can't come tomorrow. I have to go to Disneyland. Dad does not get it. What I do here [Devil's Gulch] is real. -- name withheld
"Brian, I have some exciting news, I applied to UC Davis and got in the program! I needed to write an essay, and wrote about the hands on work I did at Devil's Gulch Ranch in the advanced animal science class. Last summer was awesome, I want to attend again this summer." 17 year old Megan
"The work we do here is real, we don't just look at animals we give them shots and stuff like that." 11 year old Mike
Liam's having such a great time that we'd like to sign him up for an additional week... Thanks, Shelley
"Nick is scared of heights, I can't believe he went rappelling" Shelby
Dear Brian and Devil's Gulch Crew,
For a mere 20 minute drive (all beautiful scenic roads.....no Hwy 101 traffic)....I was able to go from downtown San Rafael to Nicasio and meet the Devil's Gulch wagon for the daily camp pickup. What a treat!....and not just for my daughter Elaine, but for myself as well. We wanted to write and say "Thank You" for the opportunity to attend your camp. Elaine did it all; holding the rabbits and chickens, riding Maiden and the other horses, swimming in the reservoir, eating the homemade ice cream, felting, tanning, hiking, archery and exploring in the creek - getting wet and enjoying it (without mom raining on the parade and saying "NO, you can't do that"). Her experience of being on a working ranch and getting to have the fun and see the responsibilities that go with it. Without your camp, she would never have this truly memorable childhood experience. Marie Coleman and Elaine Walker
Articles written by campers for other publications:
I am returning to Devil’s Gulch this year for my fourth summer. I go every year because it means a lot to me that there is still a place where there is fun to be had that doesn't’t involve electronics. People get lots out of Devil’s Gulch because of everything they learn there is real. Andy Gardner 11 years old
My summer at Devil’s Gulch Ranch Camp By Emma Lyddan
I saw a little blue wagon coming down the dirt road. At first, I don’t know what to expect. I was the only girl there that week. It didn't’t look like fun at all, but I climbed up into the wagon anyway. We drove up a big hill onto the ranch. When we got up to the ranch, first we stopped to see the chickens and let them out of their coop for the day. We got back in the wagon and continued to the main part of the ranch. When we got there, there was a big variety of things to do. We took care of horses and went horseback riding. We could take care of the bunnies, go to the lake and catch frogs and jump into the water from the zip line! I especially liked the archery! There was tons of fun stuff to do. After a day of horseback riding and archery I changed my mind about the camp. I thought it was really cool!!!
After that week, I kept going back to Devil’s Gulch for the rest off the summer. This year I can’t wait till summer so I can go back!!
A Morning Rappel By Charlie Castillo, White Hill School age 11. Grade 6
I decided to rappel off of the tower at the top of the vineyard. While pondering my decision, I dashed over to Brian King, the man who taught me the art of rappelling, to ask him if I could rappel the tower? He said, “Yes.” We hopped into the truck and drove over to the vineyard.
When we got there, Andy, another kid, and I played tag in the vineyard. Brian climbed up to the top so that we would be belayed from both the top and the bottom. When Brian yelled down to me, “CHARLIE, YOUR TURN!” we both lurched to an immediate halt. We looked up at the eighty feet of metal and paint. I looked around and gave Andy a look that said, “I’ll see you in heaven.” Iris checked my trusty black diamond harness and helmet, tied the safety rope onto the harness, I got an ok from Iris and Brian, I took a big gulp, and started climbing on the scrawny metal pegs to the top. “WHOA!” I gasped over my breathing, “That was long.” I was climbing towards the very top, where there stood a cage like structure. After ten minutes, which seemed like three years, I clambered onto the platform. Brian was waiting there for me. He rigged me up for the rappel down. “On Belay,” he calmly said for me, Iris yelled back “Belay on” I felt the tension she put on the static rope. Brian patiently asked “Are you ready?” In a trembling voice I said “Rappelling” Iris returned “Rappel on”. She gave me back control of the static rope, yet knowing that if I made a mistake both Iris and Brian would stop my descent. I inched my way off the platform. As trained, I let the rope slip through the figure eight controlling my speed as I lowering myself to the ground below. It was the best feeling too! When I got to the ground I yelled to Andy, “YES! I DID IT!” Just another day at Devil’s Gulch Ranch.
