VALLEY VIEW RANCH
Since 1954, the purpose of Valley View Ranch has been to help each rancher have the full opportunity of horsemanship through instruction, time in the saddle on trails, and the care and responsibility of having her own horse, all a'top beautiful Lookout Mountain. We offer several riding programs and encourage each camper to participate in all of them: English and Hunt Seat; Western Stock Seat and Barrels (Gymkhana); and Vaulting. Each girl can spend as much time as she likes with her favorite horse during her stay.
2010 will be our 56th summer! Ranchers will find the facility comfortable, safe, and spacious. Located on 600 acres of lush pastures, wooded trails, and panoramic views; Valley View is the perfect place for an afternoon trail ride to Sawmill waterfall, and boasts cooler summer temperatures than the nearby city of Atlanta, Georgia.
In addition, the voluntary well-rounded recreational program includes sports, swimming and canoeing, arts and crafts, drama, gymkhanas and horseshows.
Enrollment is limited to 60 girls and is open to ages 8-17.
THE SCENIC REGION OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
The Ranch is located a'top Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia where Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee come together: We are 45 miles south of Chattanooga, 100 miles northwest of Atlanta and 120 miles northeast of Birmingham. The site is in the midst of the colorful region of primeval Appalachian forest, rocks and streams. The altitude of 1,800 feet is one of the important factors, which make the climatic conditions cool and healthy.
Another asset of the area, aside from its average medium temperature, is its semi-arid climate. Being outside of the isothermal belt, continuous rainfall, heavy fog, and high humidity are rare. The Ranch is a vast private domain. Our 600 acres is a peninsula off Lookout Mountain with Jones Gulf on our West and North perimeters. The Chattanooga Valley is on our East and offers our "valley view" looking into the sunrise or the moonrise. The two-mile private drive into the Ranch is remote enough from civilization to offer all the possibilities of real ranch living. Valley View is a year-round working ranch, raising Quarter Horses specifically for youth riders, Western and English.
CAMP LEADERSHIP
Since 1948, Jack & Olive Jones operated Camp Cloudmont for boys. In 1954 they bought this beautiful cattle farm and named it Valley View Ranch. Their dream was to build an equestrian camp for their daughters. Nancy, Marsha, Janis, and Angela grew up and helped develop the riding programs with their varied interests. In 1970, after college and a lifetime of apprenticeship, Nancy took over and is now the director. Marsha manages the Valley View Hunt Club. Barbara "Bo" Clark (since 1975) coordinates the Western programs.
Senior Camp Staff
Nancy Jones, Chelsea Carrier, Bo Clark, Marsha Hair
Janis helps manage Cloudmont Golf & Ski Resort in Mentone, Alabama, with the rest of the Jones family, and Angela runs Lookout Mountain Preferred Realty. Janis' daughter, Chelsea, is Program Director and Office Manager. Her experience started as a papoose on her Mom's back while Janis was teaching "Rodeo" class. Three generations of horse lovers manage Valley View Ranch!
CABINS, STAFF & COUNSELORS
Campers live in large cabins and are supervised by an experienced counselor who soon becomes not only their mentor, but also their best friend. Over eighty percent of our Staff members are young women who have grown up attending Valley View in the summers. They return to pass their love and interest in our program on to the next generation!
It is often the influence of associates with whom a girl comes in contact that makes or mars her character. Realizing this, only women of high ideals, strength of personality, and integrity of character are chosen as counselors. One wrangler is assigned as immediate counselor to a group of 5 girls. Naturally, the counselor who spends several weeks with a group of 5 girls has an opportunity to become well acquainted with them. She gains the friendship, admiration, and confidence of each girl. She is able, by example and advice, to overcome possible weak traits and encourage self-confidence.
The staff at Valley View Ranch is thoroughly organized. Each member has a responsible part in the Ranch program, each being in charge of the various divisions of riding and sports activities. The Ranch takes considerable pride in the fact that each girl participates in all riding activities of the ranch program. This is accomplished through special, individual attention for each girl. First, riding lessons are planned according to ability. Other interests are planned secondary. The ranch leaders do a splendid job in securing the hearty cooperation of every girl.
