A Place to Be Happy, Safe, and Free

April 24, 2025

At Candlelight Ranch, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, joyful, and free in nature. But for many of the children we serve, the outdoors hasn’t always felt like a place where they belong.

In under-resourced neighborhoods throughout Central Texas, access to green spaces is deeply inequitable. Parks may be miles away or unsafe, and many families simply don’t have the resources or opportunities to spend time recreating outside. For these children, nature can feel unfamiliar — even frightening — rather than welcoming.

But something special happens when they arrive at Candlelight Ranch.

Here, surrounded by wildflowers and wide skies, children step into a space designed just for them — a place where they can explore, take healthy risks, and build memories that change how they see the world and themselves.

This spring, a group of students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired visited the Ranch for an overnight adventure. Many had never camped before. But with guidance from our team, their teachers, and a supportive environment, they set up tents, hiked trails, shot archery, built connections, and discovered something powerful about their own capabilities.

One young camper beamed with pride and said, “I feel like I can camp any time! I know how to set up a tent and find my way around a new space.” In that moment, nature became not just accessible — it became his.

These experiences are the heart of what we do, we create opportunities for children to feel safe and confident outdoors. Whether they’re practicing camping skills, learning to identify bird song, identifying plants on hiking trails, or learning to trust themselves on the ropes course. At Candlelight Ranch, nature is no longer something distant — it’s something they belong to.

Campers from the Gus Garcia Recreation Center, one of Austin’s most underfunded areas, recently spent a day at the Ranch, for many this was the first time they spent a day immersed in nature. One teen shared, “Today I felt confident and happy to do new things.” That sense of courage and joy is what we hope every child walks away with — an experience that helps them grow not just in skills, but in spirit.

And it’s not just children. Our Family Days offer time for parents and children to bond and find respite from daily stressors.  Our Outdoor Explorers program invites adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience freedom and fun. Explorers enjoy nature walks, creative activities, and shared laughter — fostering a deep sense of community and friendship.

Also, this spring, foster youth from Austin Angels spent the day bonding with their mentors as they zipped through the trees and explored nature side-by-side. One young participant reflected, “Doing the activities helped me be outgoing and not introverted. Some stuff may be scary but it’s fun and beautiful.” That discovery — that bravery can be joyful and nature can be beautiful—is what we strive to nurture every day.

What begins as a field trip or a camp day often becomes something deeper: a newfound love for the outdoors, a belief in their own abilities, and a desire to care for the world around them.

Because when children are given the tools to explore nature —  and the space to feel safe doing it — they don’t just enjoy it. They begin to see themselves as part of it. They become stewards, protectors, and lifelong learners.

Thank you for helping us create a place where every child can feel happy, safe, and free — surrounded by nature, and supported by people who believe in their growth.