Family and Kids
What is the Dude Ranch Foundation?
The mission and purpose of the Dude Ranch Foundation is to preserve history and expand knowledge of America’s dude ranching industry through the Foundation’s Western Museum, research archives, educational programs, conservation, and workforce development. Additionally, our mission is to financially assist in the education of people wishing to pursue employment or careers in the dude ranch industry and supporting industries.
The Foundation started in 1988 with Mark and Amey Grubbs who were co-executive directors and former dude ranch owners. Mark’s dream was to establish a fund to give scholarships to young people who wanted to be in the dude ranch industry. Funding was to be obtained from an annual auction held during the Dude Ranchers’ Association Convention. His vision was to retain a fund large enough that the interest would be used for scholarships. The scholarship fund has been administered by our Executive Director(s) and the Foundation Board of Directors from its inception to the present. Later on, we expanded our mission and goals to encompass more than scholarships in hopes to help protect this Western way of life.
We are keeping the West alive with programs that include:
- Scholarships – The Foundation provides a broad and flexible set of scholarships each year to students with the overall goal of supporting the future of the dude ranch industry.
- Education – Through public relations, articles, speaker’s bureau and teaming up with authors and organizations, the Foundation conducts outreach to educate the public about the rich history and vacation opportunities at dude ranches.
- Protecting and Preserving Land – The Foundation facilitates preservation efforts by connecting funders, ranchers, experts and organizations to initiate conservation easements and /or selling of development rights.
- Horse Safety Program – In an effort to assist ranches in putting safety first, the Foundation developed a horse safety program that has been wildly successful and has verified results. The Foundation dispatches certified approved instructors to train ranch staff.
- Western Museum – Your support helps fund a free museum located in Cody, Wyoming to present and display the rich history of the dude ranch industry.
Many scholarships have been awarded to young men and women who held more than a 3.0 GPA. Most are hoping to continue in the dude ranch industry in some manner whether that be as a vet, a marketing person, a welder, an accountant or just as an ambassador for the industry.
The Foundation educates the public about the dude ranch industry and helps our members stay on top of the latest travel trends, public land use issues, ADA-compliant issues and any other issues that pertain to the travel/hospitality businesses.
Dude Ranch Foundation Horse Safety Program
One of the programs we are most proud of is the Horse Safety Program. This program was created to help our ranchers adapt the minimum guidelines for not only DRA member ranches, but other equine programs related to Horse Safety and Adaptive First Aid for the Trail. This program provides an educational opportunity for all equine participants through a seminar approach. The goal is to promote continual evaluation of safety procedures and skills to improve the safety and knowledge of equine participants including the rider and the horse.
Key Elements
- Horse Safety
- Accident Management
- Site Safety
- Continuing Education
- Equipment and Tack Safety
- Guest Orientation
To stay current with the program, each ranch must attend a course at least once every three years. The owner, operator or manager must attend a “Horse Safety and Adaptive First Aid Seminar” to remain in current standing. Wranglers are encouraged to attend a “Wrangler Training Class” as offered seasonally. The classes offered to wranglers remain valid for five years.
Horseback riding and other dude ranch activities often occur in the wilderness, and/or mountainous terrain, which includes inherent risks that can cause injury, damage, death or other loss. The Dude Ranch Foundation Horse Safety Program is an endeavor to assist ranches in managing risks and considering safety in their ongoing effort to provide their guests with a positive experience.
For more information, contact info@duderanchfoundation.org or 307-586-1831.
