We offer many wonderful activities for kids and teens headed up by our eager and energetic counselors.

As the adults take a deep breath of crisp mountain air, kick back with their feet up on the porch railing and take in the scenery, the kids are approaching the beginning of their ranch vacation in a different manner. The younger ones streak from their cabin to the kid’s hut, zoom over to the horse pasture, jump in and out of the pond, and bounce up and down as they meet their new friends for the week. The teens stroll coolly around, slowly taking it all in and trying not to show their excitement at the prospect of a week in this paradise hidden away in the Elk River Valley. Welcome to Vista Verde Ranch, where each family member, young and old, will find his or her niche in the vacation experience of a lifetime.

From the Welcoming Day Hayride -- to the toasted marshmallows on the last night, the kids days and nights are filled with experiences only found in the great outdoors. Horseback riding seems to be everyone’s favorite activity. From the time they get their saddles fitted Sunday night, they are raring to go try out their new steed. Everyone is matched with an appropriate horse for the week and for many that results in a sad farewell at the end of their stay. They spend their first morning in the arena with the kid wranglers learning the ropes and where the brakes and accelerators are for their mounts. After that, mountains of adventure await the younger generation.

With kids bouncing in every direction, you’d think our kid wranglers must have 10 arms. Well there is a reason we hire such energetic young people for the job. They are the only ones who can keep up with the kids. It’s not unusual to see kid wranglers walking down to the lodge with a couple of 8 year-olds hanging off them. The kid wranglers work their magic as they lead the kids on treasure hunts, to the tepee for pow wows, to the Homestead cabin for campfires or to the creek for boat races. They drive the fire truck to the local store for ice cream with the sirens going as loud as the kids. They bring the group to the river for gold panning and help look for animal tracks. They get sloppy with the kids while feeding the ducks and chickens, and talk softly with them while petting the baby bunnies. They patiently teach the kids how to catch a fish or how to rope a “steer.” And when all is said and done, they teach each child a little more about enjoying the wild, wild West.

While the younger children (ages 6-11) tackle their first, for some, experience in the great outdoors, the teens (12 & up) delve into it in ways they may never get a chance to again. In order to create a separate program for the wiser and older of the non-adults, we have tried and tested many options to come up with a strong teen program. From a teen-only night in Steamboat to the teen campout, there’s just enough time away from their parents, and certainly from little brother or sister. And when all is said and done, we allow them to be as much of an adult or as much of a child as they want or need to be.

Whether you have excitable youngsters or too-cool teens, they will live out their cowboy dreams as Vista Verde. We've organized our program so there are opportunities for each family member to split off and follow their interests, but also time for you to experience the ranch as a family. It's up to you as a family to decide what activities you'd like to take part in together, and when it's the right time to split up and each go your own way. The adults can enjoy a few gourmet, candlelight dinners free of distractions and food fights while the kids partake in the own kid friendly dinner those nights. And the many family style meals encourage the time together that is so precious in today’s world. Bring the whole gang, lost yourselves in your Vista Verde vacation, and leave as a family that has shared experiences that will never be forgotten.