2020 the year of Covid-19.  Wow, unlike anything I have ever seen. Stay in place orders, parents working from home, schools shut down etc....  Spring Break Camp hosted only a very few kids, Good Friday Camp was cancelled and now here we are Texas is opening back up and children need a place to go.

We have made the decision to open up our Summer Camp early this year, May 1st, to help parents and caregivers that are needing a safe place to send their children.  We will also be flexible with our hours to help those who need flexibility.  I'm not sure how this will look or work but I know we can work thru it as long as we are willing to stand in the gap for our community.

May God continue to bless us and protect us during these uncertain times!

2020 we look up and here we are a few weeks away from Spring Break Camp!  Life these days seems to go so quickly and everyone seems to be so busy, including us.  The daily chores of caring for the animals to the maintenance work that has to happen after winter and all the rain........we just get tired.  At my age I often wonder is this where God really wants me to be and maybe I should just quit after all I look around and see a lot of people minding their own business and they don't seem to have the stress that I have maybe it is time.  God says it is time for a NEW BEGINNING, I searched all over for someone to stand in the gap for my children, let the children come to me do not hinder them, plant the seeds I will reap the harvest.

What was I thinking?!  We are on track with weekly themes and activities to inspire and equip our campers with Godly character traits so they can walk worthy of their calling.  Once again I'm reminded my strength comes from The Lord, the maker of heaven and earth so satan this is your eviction notice as long as there is breath in me I will serve the Lord and I will stand in the gap for this generation!

Super busy described Casey's Place in July and August!  We had 300 campers and 30 wonderful volunteers.  Some of the highlights of our summer camps included a visit from Smokey the Bear, the arrival of Tulip the baby calf and Cruzer the foal that was born the end of June. Best of all you can't beat the S'mores!!  We've had several guesses as to how many were consumed.....600, 750, my guess is about 900....several of the kids would eat at least 5 :-0) 

Our Riding School opened June 21st and it has been amazing, I love it!  It is hard work but it's been worth every minute, to watch these students grow in character, developing self confidence, becoming courageous, determination to overcome and the list goes on.  This quote by Toni Robinson sums it up "Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self esteem.  They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope!" 

October brought us a new adventure with a precious little boy named Elijah.  Eli is 3 years old and has autism, Eli is also our grandson who has come with his family from California to live here at Casey's Place.  In just a few short weeks Eli's animal-assisted activities  are packing some big rewards!  Mom's review "When we first came he was so shy and reserved.  His confidence has BOOMED.  He tries to get involved and play with the other kids whereas he used to only parallel play by himself.  He's so courageous now too and not scared to try new things." 

November's camp was a little chilly but turned out to be a beautiful day!  With campers wearing jackets, hats and gloves we had an awesome day.  The camp fire was very much enjoyed and certainly a lot bigger than the one we have in July :) The kids enjoyed making bird feeders (in the horse trailer), Christmas ornaments, balloon races, sack races, horseback riding and riding in our newly renovated train.  Lots of smiles and laughter, makes my heart smile just thinking about that day.  

 So thankful for our volunteers!!!  It is our volunteers that help us achieve our vision at Casey's Place!  We are so grateful for their willingness to serve and give of their time but most of all the unconditional love that they have for the children that visit. 

We have had an awesome month!!  Casey's Place has hosted over 200 children and our first ever Family Day was a great success with 6 moms and 11 children.  Riding School is well under way and going very well!  We still have available spots so don't delay get started today.  We were blessed with a donation from a friend of Casey's Place of a black angus heifer named Tulip on Monday the 27th and our beautiful foal was born on Tuesday the 28th.  Check out the their pics on our Facebook page.  We are looking forward to what God has in store for us in July....we will keep you posted! 

Busy, busy, busy is our motto as we prepare for our summer camps!  From working on playground equipment to trimming overgrown trees (can't have tree limbs in the way of the basketball goal) to caring for the horses and other animals to organizing the activities there is just not enough hours in the day.  So what motivates us?  The smiles, the laughter, the children running, jumping and playing while they are here it gives us an unexplainable joy deep within our soul. We can't wait for our gates to open and those kids to get off their buses.  Let summer begin!!!!!