Community Impact Article

June 21, 2022

After the Barr family purchased their dream property in the Hill Country in 1999, they wanted to share the magic of the outdoors with children and established Candlelight Ranch.

Twenty-three years later, the nonprofit serves as a place of discovery for children, young adults and families of all abilities to experience nature and healing in a way they may not have thought possible, Executive Director Jenn Hartner said.

“It’s really a place for everybody. When we say all abilities, we mean it,” Hartner said. “I think we heal hearts and create joy in a time when we all need extra love and healing.”

Located along the north shore of Lake Travis between Lago Vista and Marble Falls, the ranch is on 41 acres of pristine Hill Country where around 1,700 Central Texas children are served annually from seven counties. The organization is funded by individual and corporate donations, fundraisers, special events and grants.

“[To my knowledge], there’s nobody else within the Central Texas area that is doing what we’re doing in terms of working with a variety of schools, nonprofits … [military and foster families] and children that have experienced trauma,” Hartner said.

All-abilities nonprofit Candlelight Ranch heals through nature