Fall at the Ranch: Rooted in Rest, Growing in Courage

November 22, 2025

As autumn settles in at the Ranch, golden light filters through the trees, cool mornings welcome visitors, and the steady rhythm of nature invites families to slow their pace, soften their shoulders, and take a deep, grounding breath. This fall, Candlelight Ranch once again became a safe haven, a place where our community’s most vulnerable youth and families found restoration in the quiet embrace of nature and connection in the warmth of shared experience.

Children of all abilities, military families, foster and adoptive families, and under-resourced teens from our nonprofit partners arrived seeking space to reconnect, with one another and with the natural world. At the Ranch, time moves differently. Screens are gently set aside. Laughter carries across the lake and through the canyon. Meaningful conversation unfolds beneath the shade of old oak trees, and in this stillness, healing begins to take root.

One parent shared, “For the first time our family stepped away from electronics and got to talk and bond. This meant so much to me and I’m so grateful for the opportunity we have been given to visit. I would do it 100 times over.” Another reflected, “We were able to spend time together away from the busy city life and technology.” These words capture the heart of what the Ranch offers: a return to presence, to joy, and to one another.

Family Days brought gentle adventure and discovery. Kayaks glided across calm waters, children tested their courage on zip lines, and first-time experiences sparked pride and laughter. “I went ziplining for the first time, it was very fun,” one child shared, while another said, “I learned how to kayak, and I saw a horse in real life!” These moments, small yet meaningful, became memories rooted in joy and growing confidence.

For families navigating disability or chronic stress, the Ranch provided not just access to nature, but an opportunity to grow. One parent reflected on watching her son find his courage: “Here the counselors respected his anxiety and still allowed him to work at his own pace. Now he is begging me to do archery and kayak again.” In these moments, resilience quietly bloomed, nurtured by patience, encouragement, and a space where every person is seen and celebrated.

Military families found a peaceful pause amid demanding lives and frequent unsettlement, sharing joyful moments together. Families spoke of feeling welcomed, supported, and surrounded by others who understood their journey. For many, it was a rare chance to simply relax, reconnect, and feel held by a community that honors each other’s story.

This fall also welcomed youth groups from partner organizations whose missions closely align with our own. Creative Action, which empowers teens through arts-based learning and social-emotional development, brought groups like Color Squad and Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble to the Ranch for weekend retreats centered on self-expression, teamwork, and confidence-building. CC4C, supporting families with medically fragile children, visited for a day of laughter, play, and meaningful respite, offering families a rare moment for fun and togetherness. One foster parent shared after our Fall Family Festival, “Being a family of 9 this gave us the best time to do something together and we really enjoyed it.” These gatherings reinforced what so many experiences here: a sense of belonging and the permission to slow down and simply enjoy.

We are also deeply grateful for the dedicated volunteers and community partners who poured their time, heart, and care into these experiences, from our high ropes course facilitators who ensured safe adventure, to the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists who offered hands-on natural science education, Soulshine Rhythm Experience who led therapeutic drumming circles, and the Lago Vista Women’s Club who lovingly prepared nourishing meals for military families. We also extend sincere thanks to Nobility in Action for providing plant-based lunches and wellness-centered cooking lessons, and to 2020 Scratch Market Kitchen for sharing delicious meals and supporting our mission through their generous give-back, all helping create the nourishing atmosphere that makes joyful moment at the Ranch possible.

As we prepare for the holiday season, we carry forward the peace, courage, and belonging cultivated here, inspired by every family who found rest, every child who found bravery, and every heart that softened beneath the wide Texas sky.