|
Local
Feature
WONDER VALLEY
RANCH RESORT AND
CONFERENCE CENTER
words
by Jackie Dale, Jenny Peters
Image
by Frankie Leal
In the 1800’s the principal residents of Wonder Valley were the Yokut Indians. By 1891 things became a bit more exciting when the infamous Dalton Brothers rode into the valley on horseback. They hid out from the law in a cave halfway up what is now Dalton Mountain, descending into the valley to rob the trains. Today, as tour busses approach the Wonder Valley Resort, they are stopped and ‘held up’ by the ‘Dalton Brothers Gang’ who board the bus instructing passengers to “remain calm, we are only here for the women.”
By the early 1900’s settlers began moving in. One of those settlers was George Pierson. He owned a cattle ranch and he would regularly invite friends to come and stay. The guests often helped George with his cattle and ranch chores. He realized they actually enjoyed working on the ranch and so in 1911 California’s first dude ranch was born. Every Saturday night a very spirited dance was held; which probably explains why cowboys always took a bath on Saturdays!
In 1940 the ranch changed hands. It was purchased by the Webb family who renamed it “Wonder Valley Dude Ranch”. During the 1950’s it became a favorite hotspot destination for some of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. They would fly in to Wonder Valley, land on the private airstrip, and spend their vacations in their own private get-away.
One day in 1972, current owner Stan Oken was cruising through Wonder Valley on his motorcycle when he stopped in at the ranch for a fried chicken dinner. Little did he know that it would turn out to be the most expensive dinner of his life! Already running the River Way Ranch summer camp in Three Rivers, with a lease that was about to expire, it occurred to Stan that this would be a perfect place for a camp. So he asked owner Becky Webb if she wanted to sell. Initially she said “no.” Stan was persistent. He called a few days later and offered her a lifetime job at the ranch if she would sell to him and she accepted his offer. However, Stan’s partners thought the venture too risky and they both backed out. In a leap of faith, Stan withdrew his entire retirement and spent it in one day. His son Roy says “he likes to call it his $200,000 chicken dinner.”
Now that Stan owned the ranch, he needed a draw to bring kids to the new camp. He happened to have a friend who was an agent to athletes. After much searching they were able to secure Cathy Rigby, who at that time was the hottest female athlete on the planet. For the next seven years her popularity drew gymnasts to the camp from all over the world. By 1973 the River Way Ranch summer camp was also operating out of the Wonder Valley site.
Wonder Valley has grown and evolved dramatically since then with its unique, exciting programs and activities. For example, the senior tours started when Stan received a phone call from a busload of seniors who had lost their hotel reservations. They wanted to know if Stan could put them up for the night and, of course, Stan said yes. When they arrived they were treated to a hayride and a square dance. The next year they brought 12 busloads. It really snowballed from there with more and more busses coming every year.
Wonder Valley also offers picnics, banquets, family reunions, parties and weddings. The wedding business in particular has taken on a life of it’s own. The Lakeview Wedding Garden overlooks Dalton Pond and the adjacent reception hall. The venue’s stunningly beautiful grounds and spectacular scenery will ensure that this most special of days will be quite unforgettable.
In addition there are a plethora of camps and conference opportunities available. Family camp is a one-of-a-kind vacation that will rival any of the more traditional family vacation choices. Specialized camps at Wonder Valley include the, Camp Taylor for kids with heart defects, and Joni and Friends, a camp for families who live with disability.
The camp most near and dear to Stan Oken’s heart is the Champ Camp, a camp for kids who have survived a fire, but have been burned or hurt as a result. Stan was inspired to create a burn camp after his near death experience at the infamous MGM Grand hotel fire in 1980 that took 84 lives. As he stood on the roof of the 26-story hotel waiting to be rescued, he vowed that if he made it out of the fire alive, he would somehow do something to help burn victims.
The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation has partnered with the Wonder Valley Ranch Resort for the past 25 years bringing joy and happiness into the lives of children where there is often pain, fear and sadness. Campers attend the camp free of charge. Many selfless individuals such as firefighters and nurses schedule their vacation time during Champ Camp, volunteering as camp counselors or helping to serve meals. When asked why they help year after year, Selma Fire Fighters Scott Sanders and Jeremy Owens said, “because of the kids.” Scott has been a part of this endeavor for the past 24 years. He says working with the burn foundation and the camp is a “natural fit for a firefighter.” So, while Champ Camp is only one camp taking place at Wonder Valley, during one week out of the summer, it makes a huge impact on everyone who is fortunate to be a part of it.
But there is more to Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center, as the name implies. It is hard to imagine a more fabulous place to attend a conference or corporate retreat. The pristine grounds and serene tranquility are a winning combination certain to build team spirit and productivity. Team building exercises such as the blind canoe race or the GPS treasure hunt make work seem more like fun! Definitely a far cry from the old standard “catch me when I fall” exercise. Meeting areas, whether inside or outside, are available in a variety of sizes. Thanks to movable soundproof walls, meeting rooms can be customized to accommodate your group’s exact needs. There are plenty of on-site recreation opportunities including boating, paintball, fishing, swimming and a ropes course, just to name a few. A group services expert is standing by right now to help you plan your next conference or retreat.
Wonder Valley has something for everyone! But the bread and butter of Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center is the River Way Ranch Summer Camp. Campers have up to 65 different activities to choose from. With specialty camps such as Rock and Roll Camp, Wakeboard/Waterski Camp, Film School, Equestrian Camp, first class meals and off-site trips, it is clear why River Way is considered to be the premier children’s camp in the United States. In both 2000 and 2008 Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and the Oken family were honored as California’s #1 family business. River Way employs over 100 camp counselors with about 30 coming from other countries, such as Japan, England, Ireland, and Australia to name a few. Children ages seven - sixteen will enjoy the experience of a lifetime at River Way Ranch Camp.
So whether you are looking for an inspiring place to say your “I Do’s,” something different for your family vacation, or a professional and fun way to challenge your staff, you can be sure to find what you are looking for at the Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center. Call today and let the staff make your dreams come true or peruse their website and see all they have to offer. Don’t wait! Call 1-800-821-2801 or visit
www.wondervalley.com,
www.wondervalleyweddings.com,
www.riverwayranchcamp.com.
Back
|
