WELCOME TO THE J-BAR-M 
WESTERN GUEST RANCH
AND HORSEMANSHIP CAMP

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Basic Info:
*WILDERNESS CAMPS*
Wilderness Camps for Boys and Girls: These camps run either for TWO DAYs (plus one night), or for SIX DAYS (plus six nights), and are going to run these camps just a few times during the summer. HOWEVER, If you want to schedule a time for your group to use our facilities, please let us know and we will try to accomodate your schedule. For a 2009 schedule go to 2009 Summer Schedule . CAMPERS will learn many basic camping and survival skills, such as: (1) Selection, care, and sharpening of knives and axes, (2) Starting a fire and maintaining fire safety, (3) Erecting a shelter (tent or survival shelter), (4) basic archery skills, (5) water purification, (6) map and compass course, (7) basic suvival First Aid, and (8) basic backpacking skills.

ALL Campers are responsible for providing: (1) clothing suitable for the weather, plus at least one complete change of clothing, (2)sturdy, hiking shoes with ankle support, (3) small spiral notebook and pencil, (4) bug repellant and sunscreen, (5) personal hygiene, (6)small knife- may be a pocket knife, or a sheath knife, (7) Small backback (school bag, or whatever... Nothing fancy), (8)hat, or other headcover. ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPERS MUST BRING (in addition to the foregoing): (9) a ground cloth, piece of plastic at least 3' x 5' or some other moisture barrier, (10) sleeping bag, or bedroll made of blankets sufficient for the season, (11) basic camp cook set (plate, pot, silverware, cup) and (12) inexpensive compass ($5.00 at Wal-Mart).

*HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS*
J-Bar-M Ranch offers several, one-week horse camps during the summer for kids from 8 years to 18 years old. The camps run Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Limit (presently) to five campers per week. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch. Campers learn about the care and feeding of the horse, basic horse first aid, horse safety, identification of anatomy and tack, and principles and techniques of western riding. The camp is western-oriented and the atmosphere is true “cowboy”. Categories are: Beginner (little or no previous experience), Intermediate (been on guided trail rides before and are not afraid of horses), experienced (already know to saddle your own horse and pick up hooves, etc.) Cost is $225.00 per week, regardless of experience. There is a dress code (see web site or call) but everything else is provided. Helmets are required, at camper’s expense, for ALL riders under age eighteen (18). For a 2009 schedule go to 2009 Summer Schedule

Course Descriptions

General: Each camp session starts with a devotional lesson that uses horses and cowboy things to teach an important Biblical concept, such as God's Love, Provision, and Care, or how people are to treat each other. Character virtues such as Honesty, Loyalty, and self-discipline are woven into every lesson so that children come away with more than just understanding of horses, but also understanding of God's plan for how our lives should be lived. We pray together before each ride and give children an opportunity to share their ideas and experiences.
Classes are kept small so as to provide the best learning environment. Teacher to student ratio will not exceed one to five and our teaching style utilizes as much "hands-on" learning as possible so as to keep students actively involved in the learning process. Besides the actual time spent in the saddle, all students will be participating in grooming, feeding, cleaning stalls/barn, and classroom activities.

BEGINNERS
We classify Beginners as students who have never ridden before, and have little or no knowledge of horsemanship. Beginning Students will be restricted to walking on the horses unless otherwise directed by the trailboss or lead wrangler. Beginning Students learn how to catch, halter, lead, groom, saddle and bridle the horses. This first week is highly structured and yet still provides a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere for those just learning to ride. These riders will stay inside the corral, round pen, or arena and will spend approximately 2.5 hours in the saddle each day.

INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate riders are those who have previously taken lessons, and/or who are confident at the walk, trot and gallop. This is probably the category for those who have ridden for less than 2 years. This level assumes a moderate knowledge of horsemanship and stable management skills. This camp is best for students that want to go faster, but may not yet be ready for serious speed or concentrated ring maneuvers and will concentrate on teaching proper riding techniques, basic horse care, and basic tack upkeep. From the program's start, students learn how to handle themselves around horses and how to keep themselves and their horses safe. These riders will be allowed to practice in the enclosed pasture(s) on the J-Bar-M Ranch and will spend approximately three hours in the saddle each day.

ADVANCED
Students who enroll in the Advanced Horsemanship Camp must take a written test, and a riding test to demonstrate their equine proficiency. The determination of the Trailboss as to their placement will be final. Advanced students will learn about equine conformation, colors & markings, fitting tack, feet & shoes, mouths and bits, first aid & safety, boots & bandages, feed & feeding and human first aid. Advanced riders will practice taking their horses over a variety of obstacles likely to be encountered on the trail, such as logs, low hanging branches, fast running streams, or dead-end trails. Advanced riders will be permitted to ride the trails on ranch property and will spend approximately four hours in the saddle each day.

*FIREARMS AND GUN SAFETY COURSES*

Mostly, the J-Bar-M Ranch uses "Old West" firearms and so our range facilities are geared for that purpose. Our primary intent is to incorporate safe handling of firearms for history students, re-inactors, and people of all ages who are getting into the exciting sport of Cowboy Action Shooting, or Cowboy Mounted Action Shooting (from horseback). However, the training and certification required of us to train those those courses, is the same as that required to teach other forms of Firearms safety and training, AND the demand is there, so we asked ourselves, Why NOT?"

We offer one NRA course per year in BASIC PISTOL, BASIC SHOTGUN, and BASIC RIFLE. THESE CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED ON DEMAND ONLY. CALL FOR RESERVATIONS. GROUPS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE SHOOTERS

If this sounds like something that might interest you- call, or e-mail, John or Melanie and ask for more information. You can get the answers to your questions, and then fill out a Reservation Form (or, Click here for a printer-friendly version of the form).
Complete and return via E-mail attachment to us at this E-mail address: trailboss@j-bar-m.com , OR return it via U.S. Post Office.
Our Address is: J-Bar-M Ranch, 3997 Sugar Grove Valley Rd, Harriman, TN, 37748
Or call us at: (865) 640-7737 (cell)

The J-Bar-M Ranch 
is SERIOUS about having fun... and
giving our guests a  "one of a kind" cowboy experience in
THE SPIRIT OF THE OLD WEST.