It is always a little bittersweet to see a summer program come to an end.
This week marks the close of our summer visits with First Tee of Monterey County at Coelho Ranch, and while we are sad to see the season wrap up, we are incredibly grateful for the time we have shared with their staff and youth over the past several weeks.
This summer, First Tee brought smiles, laughter, energy, and curiosity to the ranch. Each visit reminded us how special it is to be part of something that reaches beyond a single field trip. There is something unique about being a trusted partner and vendor of choice for an organization that is already doing meaningful work in the lives of youth throughout our community.
At Coelho Ranch, our goal has been to provide engaging outdoor learning, hands-on activities, and memorable experiences that support the work First Tee is already doing. Whether the kids were walking through the grape tunnel, learning from the land, exploring the ranch, or simply enjoying time outdoors, each moment helped create a summer experience that felt fun, educational, and impactful.
Today’s visit was especially meaningful because we were able to introduce a new hands-on groundwork session with the horses. The youth had the opportunity to see what it looks like to work with horses in a more in-depth way, from communication and leading to lunging and understanding how handlers guide and connect with such large, graceful animals.
For many of the kids, it was exciting to not only watch the demonstration, but to step in and lead a horse themselves. That experience gave them a chance to feel the responsibility, patience, and confidence it takes to work with an animal of that size. It was a powerful reminder that learning can happen in many ways, especially when children are given the space to try something new.
After the horse session, the kids returned to one of their favorite parts of the ranch experience: swimming in the river. There was plenty of laughter, splashing, storytelling, and reflection as they shared things they learned and remembered from their summer trips to the ranch.
Those are the moments that stay with us.
We are thankful for the time, effort, and attention the First Tee staff provided during each visit. Their care, organization, and commitment helped make each trip smooth, safe, and meaningful for the kids.
We truly appreciate the partnership with First Tee and the trust they placed in Coelho Ranch this summer. It has been a joy to welcome their youth, support their programming, and help create experiences that connect children to nature, animals, agriculture, and the community around them.
While we are sad to see the summer program come to a close, we are excited about what is ahead. We look forward to welcoming First Tee back to the ranch and beginning conversations around the fall and winter program season.
This summer was a strong reminder of what can happen when organizations work together with a shared mission: children are supported, the community is impacted, and meaningful experiences are created that can last far beyond a single day at the ranch.
