Circle R Ranch

04/03/2025

FREE EVENT this Saturday for horse-loving kids and families! Come visit our booth at the Northland Horse Fair in the Miller Hill Mall (Duluth, MN) this Saturday, 4/5 - special discounts on all camp sessions available for one day only - see you there! 🙂

03/27/2025

‼️Only a few days left for the early bird special - book now to save your bunk‼️

03/19/2025

Want the LOWEST PRICE available for 2025?

Early bird pricing ends on April 1st - book now and reserve your bunk at this fantastic discount!

⬇️⬇️⬇️ Registration link ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CircleRRanch0


Want a FREE, CUSTOMIZED Circle R Ranch T-Shirt?
Like and share our 2025 posts to enter to win! 1 winner to be selected each day at the MN Horse Expo 4/25-4/27/2025.

03/07/2025

Summer Job Listing for MALE Equestrian - College Students Welcome!

Located in Long Prairie, Minnesota. We offer a unique and rich equine experience during the summer months for children ages 7-17. Camp operates in week-long, overnight sessions from June 8th through the end of August, teaching in the western trail riding discipline with our herd of nearly 70 horses.

Specifically, we need quality male counselor staff for our operation this year. We are taking applications for all positions, but most female positions have been filled.

Our counselors live on-site, in the dorms, with the campers. They oversee and meet the various needs of their campers by providing strong leadership and ensuring their safety on horseback, during camp-wide activities, and overnight in their dorms. Campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and are assigned a group and their own horse for the entire week based on their experience level. Campers and staff ride on trail for 2-2.5h after breakfast every morning. Campers learn how to lead, groom, tack, and ride their horse themselves, and continue learning on the trail rides under the careful supervision of their counselors. Every camper will learn how to walk, trot, and even canter on horseback by the end of the week!

In the afternoons, counselors oversee several activities for the campers to choose from in free-choice “activity time,” including the pool, ba****ck riding, arts and crafts, kayaking, and more. Each evening after dinner, the camp participates in a camp-wide activity before returning to their dorms to rest up for the next morning of riding on trail. Campers participate in the “Circle R Ranch Super Fun Horse Show” on Saturday mornings for friends and family members before checking out. Counselors take care of chores to clean up camp and prepare for the following week, then enjoy Saturday nights off before reporting back late Sunday morning for preparation for the next round of campers to arrive. Time off is also available during the weeks as needed.

More information about camp life, the weekly schedule, and FAQ can be found on our website, circlerranch.com

Job Requirements - MUST:

- Be at least 18 years old by first day of work
- Have any experience working with and riding horses - we will train you!
- Be available from June 28th - August 10th, 2025 (minimum, we are open from June 8th - August 30th and can provide a paid position for that entire time).
- Weight 285lb or less (weight restriction for our horses)
- Be physically able to carry at least 50lb regularly
- Be a citizen of the USA or legally able to work in the USA

Paid weekly depending on experience, room and board included, all meals included, and free pasture board for up to 2 horses. Season completion bonus included for working the whole summer.

DM with questions, and apply here: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CircleRRanch0

03/05/2025

See our 2025 Newsletter here - with an updated packing list, policies, added Co-Ed weeks, and more!

This is the first season in nearly 40 years that Circle R Ranch is operating without Jack McCoy at the helm. Jack McCoy’s 4 children took over his legacy in operating the Circle R Ranch Youth Camp following his final journey back to the Lord in August of 2024. Jack’s daughter, Savannah Mc...

03/05/2025

🎉🎉REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 2025🎉🎉

Under new ownership, we have a lot in store for 2025 - including new licensure for lodging and the kitchen, a new septic system, and more!

☎️ NEW phone number (320) 558-3522 (you can text us here, too!)
📩 NEW email [email protected]
💻 NEW website (same address) at circlerranch.com
🧸 NEW packing list
📝 2025 Newsletter available for viewing on our website's home page for more detailed information about what's new

Please reach out with any and all questions - or simply click the link below to get signed up!

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CircleRRanch0

Early Bird pricing extended to the end of March 🐴

08/17/2024

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we bid a final farewell to our leader, the legendary Jack McCoy, on his journey home to the Lord.

Jack was born in 1960 in Colorado, on a farm with his siblings, their mares, and numerous other animals. A true cowboy and farmer, Jack was one of the original "good old boys," known for his authenticity and dedication to his roots. In 1983, Jack earned the title of Mr. Western Colorado, showcasing his talent with his tamed buffalo, "Pawnee." His love for animals was boundless, and throughout his life, he cared for a diverse array of creatures, including buffaloes, horses, snakes, goats, chickens, pigs, and even zebras.

Jack shared his passions with all of us who had the blessing of attending Circle R Ranch as a camper or a counselor. Jack was a remarkable individual whose spirit and faith were as strong as his determination. Jack's commitment to his faith was a cornerstone of his life. He loved Jesus and was dedicated to sharing his faith with those around him, especially his children.

Jack's warmth and friendship extended to everyone he met, whether they were down on their luck or prominent figures. He had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life and spoke his mind when he felt it was necessary, never backing down from standing up for what he believed was right. Those close to Jack knew him for his unwavering commitment to those in need. Whether it was through offering financial assistance to struggling families, donating bales of hay, or loaning out his tractor, he had an innate ability to see the needs of others and acted swiftly and quietly to meet them. His generosity extended to friends, neighbors, and strangers alike, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him.

Jack McCoy will be remembered for his boundless spirit, his loving nature, and his steadfast commitment to his values and family. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will continue to inspire all who knew him. After the service, Jack got to take one last tour of his property before being laid to rest. Many of us former staff gathered at the ranch to pay our respects, it was truly amazing to see the breadth of the family Jack built over the years in his staff. Not many people have the capability to affect so many people in one lifetime. Jack was one of a kind.

Thank you, Jack, for everything you gave us at Circle R Ranch. Our lives are forever changed for the better because of you and your dream. We know you are home with the Lord in bliss as you told us. To the talented horsemen, loving father, caring employer, forever cowboy, our mentor and friend - we miss you so much! Happy trails ❤️ ®️

Any campers/parents still waiting for refunds please DM Alex Busch. Thank you.

07/19/2024

CARD REFUNDS PROCESSING NOW -
If you filed a chargeback, we cannot refund you via Active or check.

Disputes can take several days (like 30-90) to process. If you still want a refund via Active, please call your card company and authorize the charge. Once they have removed the chargeback dispute, we can process a refund. Please let us know after you have done this so we can get to processing your refund.

Thank you, and we are very sorry it has taken this long.

07/11/2024

URGENT: Regarding refunds

We were mistaken on the date that our funds would be available in the Active system to process refunds. We are told by our bank that due to the size of the sum for transfer, it is taking our bank time to process the request.

Refunds will be processed THIS COMING THURSDAY, 7/17 (one week from today).

I deeply apologize for our misunderstanding. Since our pricing is $950 per camper, if 50 want refunds, that is a large sum of money to move! As a reminder, Active themselves cannot refund your deposits. Please do not call the representative with this request, and fill out the Google form.

If you prefer to switch your request to a refund via check, please fill out the Google form again (linked to post), DM the Facebook, text the ranch line, or reply to the email coming through Active. Check refund requests are still being processed today. We check the list daily and will process requests as they come in going forward from today.

Thank you for your understanding

Please fill out the form below and make a selection of what you'd prefer for us to do with your 2024 camp balance - A full refund, or transfer the balance to 2025. With the transfer to 2025, your camper will also get the following: 2 free 2-hr trail rides for up to 6 people, redeemable anytime befor...

07/08/2024

A message from Camp Director Alex Busch -

It has come to my attention after my extended emergency medical leave that several parents were not receiving the emails that have been sent out. Due to my medical leave, the phone has not been answered or responded to for a little over a week. We deeply apologize.

Regarding refunds and transferring balances:
Our Active camp system was not allowing us to process card refunds as dictated in the previous post, and the check refunds took a very long time to process. Instead of writing out so many checks, we have finally been able to get our system working and will have card refunds available through Active by Thursday, July 11th, 2024. Refunds will be processed daily as they are requested.

Please use the linked Google form to make requests for your 2024 camp balance. We will be returning voicemails, emails, and making contact with each family in the coming week. If you don't need a phone call, the option is listed in the form.

I apologize for the issues surrounding the refunding of the 2024 season balances. We certainly are not in the business of stealing, and we appreciate your understanding as my family has gone through quite a bit in the past few weeks. With just a couple of us working the ranch at this time, it has been hard for Savannah to manage all of this on her own and without the phone available to her. We appreciate your support in our organization and hope we can continue to do business with you in the future!

Please fill out the form below and make a selection of what you'd prefer for us to do with your 2024 camp balance - A full refund, or transfer the balance to 2025. With the transfer to 2025, your camper will also get the following: 2 free 2-hr trail rides for up to 6 people, redeemable anytime befor...

06/26/2024

NOW HOSTING TRAIL RIDES! 🐴

See the booking page for more details.

2h long ride, $85 per person:
https://calendly.com/circle-r-ranch/2-hour-trail

1h long ride, $50 per person:
https://calendly.com/circle-r-ranch/1-hour-trail

06/16/2024

Cancellation of 2024 Camp Season

A message from Camp Director Alex Busch—

It is with a heavy heart that we must cancel the 2024 Circle R Ranch Season. I plan to call out to each of you in the upcoming days to discuss options. Please read the following for more information and options:

Circle R Ranch camp was established in 1969. Jack McCoy has operated the Circle R Ranch camp since 1978, and has been using the very same tack barn and other facilities your campers use when they visit since then. When Jack decided to take necessary time to focus on health and travel, he sold his company to his daughters Atlanta and Savannah (the Riding Director) earlier this year.

With Jack being in business for so long, his youth camp operating licensure was a continuance each year following 1978- for his daughters, it is a brand new application and a brand new set of rules, held to 2024 standards. They have been under immense scrutiny in a way that the Ranch has not experienced from the county before. We learned that we not only must file a new license application and be inspected, but we were to have some sort of “pre-inspection” as well as a “plan review” that takes over a month to complete.

Due to the bureaucracy that exists within the county our camp resides, Savannah and I are having a tough time getting the county to agree to a feasible timeline for opening. While we have updated much of the camp and meet the requested codes, the county is using several tactics to extend our opening date. First, they told us we would not be able to use the pool if it was not ready on inspection date and coming later would be “very tricky.” This led us to postpone the first two weeks of camp. The county attorney took several days between every single communication, no matter how many follow-up calls or drop-in-and-checks Savannah and I did. Currently, the Health and Human Services Director for Todd County is on vacation for an extended period of time and no inspections can be had without her. When she does finally come to inspect, she will conduct what she calls a “pre-inspection,” where they look over everything and then sit for “up to a week” presenting the findings to the commissioners, the county attorney, etc. At the same time, she will conduct a plan review of our repairs that will take 30 days.

Any issues that may arise in the pre-inspection will need to be changed before the true inspection, which happens after the plan review from our understanding. Although the McCoy sisters began this process back in April, the county has taken until now to clarify the order of operations to Savannah and me about the plan review that takes 30 days. This is why we were under the impression we could postpone the first couple weeks. We are now bound by inspections being scheduled by a person who is not here or available. Optimistically we were told by her office that we could potentially open for August, but with the inability to find staff for just 3 weeks, we have decided to close our doors for the summer, spend our time training more horses, doing more updates, and abiding by the county’s rules to ensure we can open for 2025.

We are so sorry to close the camp experience for this year. We do not want to - but feel as though we have little options otherwise. In the interest of safety, longevity, and doing things right in the eyes of Todd County, we hope that you understand the position we are in and continue to support Circle R Ranch and our mission here. Thank you for your business this year and please select from the following options:

- Transfer your 2024 balance to the 2025 season, reserving your spot for 2025 (you can select dates anytime before May 15th, 2025)
- With transferring your balance, you will also receive the following:
- [ ] A free 2h trail ride this summer for up to 6 people including your camper - simply call to schedule. If your group is larger, please call the ranch about accommodations.
- [ ] A price freeze at $950 per week for your camper for the next 3 years (2025, 2026, 2027). Early Bird, Multi-week and Multi-child discounts still applicable. **If your camper ages out of camp we have another deal available for you - just call! Age 17 is the last year kids can be a camper.
- [ ] $50 store credit for 2025
**If your camper ages out of camp we have another deal available for you - just call! Age 17 is the last year kids can be a camper.


- A full refund, mailed by check to the address on file.

You can text or call our camp line at (320) 533-0322 with a selection, reply to this email, or wait for my call to discuss options.
Thank you again for your interest in Circle R Ranch and we can’t wait to see you next year!!

All the best,

Alex, Savannah, and the Circle R Ranch Team

05/29/2024

Howdy Everyone, 😁

Today we are introducing Emma! She also goes by em as well and is from Lakeville,Minnesota. Emma has been a camper at Circle R for two years and 1 year as JC. This summer will be a CIT and favorite night of camp is campout or lake day! Favorite 3 horses she says is Justice, Angus, little foot. Emma says if she could have a super power she would want to be able to fly or be invisible.

05/26/2024

Hello Parents and campers,

This is Rachel she started camp in 2007 at age 10. Starting this summer she will be celebrating 100 weeks at CRR! Rachel graduated with Bachelor’s degree in fine arts and art history from Minneapolis college of Art Design in 2021 and sabbatical for her Masters. She is from Minneapolis,Minnesota. Favorite night of the week is campout! Sleeping under the stars, ghost stories and singing slow songs with everyone is the best Rachael says! She is looking forward as a staff member this summer is seeing the sunrises on chase-in, waffles with ice cream on Saturdays, giving the horses kisses, REST HOUR! Planning Epic Drills with Group 6, Continuing to make new memories in the place she calls home. Helping the next generation have extraordinary summer adventures! 😁🐴

05/25/2024

Hello Everyone, meet Morgan this is her sixth year at camp and second year as a staff member. She is currently attending LSU in Duluth to become an elementary teacher. Morgan is from McGregor Minnesota. Favorite night of the week would be campout and favorite horse would be Stella. She is excited to see all the new and returning campers.

05/23/2024

It's time to introduce myself 😊

Hey there, I'm Alex, the new Director here at Circle R Ranch!

My story -

I grew up in the metro and began attendance at Circle R Ranch way back in 2002 and attended yearly for a decade as a camper until I was 16 - I followed suit with JC, Counselor for a couple summers, and finally worked as both Program Director and Assistant Riding Director during my college years at St. Ben's.

I finished schooling with a degree in Biology and a minor in Secondary Education, and went on to get a job managing a small pest control company in the MN northland. I bought a farm, took on three horses and many farm cats, and lived a fun and quiet life in a small town of just 100 people.

After a fabulous 9 years at the company, I had my son Auggie in 2022 and we sold the business in October of 2023. I focused on time with my son as a stay-at-home mom and started my own digital design company. Circle R Ranch opened an opportunity to direct the camp and help streamline the processes that need attention. It was perfect timing!

There are multitudes of ways the Ranch has helped me grow over the years - I can say with certainty this place changed my life and helped shape the extroverted, inclusive, driven, fun-loving, clear-communicating person I am today. I would not be the person I am without Circle R and that is exactly why I have taken this position.

With that being said, I am excited at the opportunity to bring the same energy to the camp that my counselors taught me - with safety as my top priority. I truly view my job here as preparing everyone else for success - campers, staff, animals, parents, and friends at the Ranch - and that this can only be achieved through clear, open communication and structured, safe policies and practices.

I invite any and all questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Ranch as I need YOUR input to help make this camp the best it can be -- clue me in on what is working well and what could use some tweaks, what the kids enjoy and look forward to each year. Please call the Ranch anytime - the camp phone rings directly to my line and I am here to chat. If I don't answer right away I will return calls as soon as possible. Also know that if your camper is already registered, I will be calling to introduce myself personally in the next couple of weeks and we can chat then too 😄

We have some pretty fun changes and updates to introduce this season - so stay tuned! Auggie (my son) and I can't wait to meet you this summer!

05/22/2024

Have any of our campers, parents, or friends of the ranch done a 4-H horse project? It's truly a one of a kind experience! 🐴

Only 2 Western Heritage safety clinics left!!
SE Region June 7th at Brian & Andrea Feist in Jordon, 9 a.m., register in 4-H Online, https://v2.4honline.com/ registration deadline Monday, June 3rd.
NW Region June 16th at Hawley Rodeo Grounds, 10 a.m. No registration - walk in only!
More information can be found here https://z.umn.edu/westernheritage

04/01/2024

Hello everyone, we just wanted to tell you happy Easter! Soon we should be posting some more exciting news about this summer. We hope you all have a wonderful day!