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Zajac Ranch for Children

By Allison Tanner

When a nine-year-old boy said his first word at Zajac Ranch for Children, chairman Mel Zajac knew his camp would “make miracles happen.”

The ranch in rural Mission hosts kids with many different types of physical and mental disabilities and chronic illnesses, giving them an opportunity to have fun under the safety and supervision of qualified counsellors and medics. The various camps run from five to seven days, each catering to specific conditions, so allowing fellow campers to make friends with other children sharing the same experiences.

Plans for the ranch started in August of 2003 and the camp opened for the first time just seven months later. “We were still putting the finishing touches on the camp when the first campers arrived,” recalls Zajac.

News of the venture soon travelled far and wide. When actor Paul Newman heard about the plans for the camp, he called and advised Zajac, “You have got do to a medical camp!” The words of wisdom were quickly taken up and all that was then left to complete the project was to give Zajac Ranch its western theme – and to raise money.

This past year, the ranch hosted some 450 campers, 36 volunteer nurses and six volunteer doctors. The counsellors are primarily university students from Canada, but some come from other countries like Australia. Nurses and doctors who volunteer fly in from all over the country to work at the ranch to give specialized treatment and gain valuable experience. “We are trying to get more volunteers,” commented Zajac, as this would give more kids the opportunity to stay. It currently costs $1,000 per camper to go, but much of that is subsidized by sponsors and Zajac Ranch itself. Zajac’s goal is to host a total of 600 campers.

Successful fundraisers include an annual gala event, a ladies’ and a gentlemen’s annual golf tournament and an annual auction. The ranch also receives monthly donations and companies can either sponsor a week’s operation or an individual child. The picturesque property is also rented out to businesses and for weddings.

And kids come from all over for the Zajac Ranch experience. “It’s the only camp like it in Canada,” explained Zajac, “So we had 10 kids from Ontario, one from Mexico and one from Texas last year.”

Campers range in age from seven to 17, but there is also an adult camp for 18 to 20-year-olds. During the spring and fall, the ranch runs a family camp allowing siblings of sick kids to meet and empathize with each other, this year attracting 100 to 120 campers. The ranch catered to 12 different illnesses at the camps held, the Kidney and Multi-transplant Disorders camp being the biggest, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp being the most “hands-on.”
“We need a ratio of one-to-one for the autism camp,” said Zajac, “you can never be too careful.”

A 24-hour medical clinic called “The OK Corral” is fully operational for campers who require it. It is specially built with big windows so the kids can see their friends outside and feel like they are not missing anything. Another thoughtful touch is the medical beds which resemble “lazy boys” so the kids do not feel like they are sick in a hospital.

Zajac is moved by numerous memories of the different camps, all of them milestones in the ranch’s achievements. One year, a little girl with Spinal Bifida was put in a kayak and suddenly started screaming. It sounded like something was wrong, but when everyone looked over it was clear she was simply laughing. She had discovered she could move herself with her hands and was ecstatic. Zajac describes this story as one of the most memorable moments at the camp.

These stories also lead to further development and new facilities. Just last month on October 18, 2009, Zajac Ranch opened its new indoor pool. It is equipped with railings and wheelchair accessibility. The cement was made to resemble stone, and has water cascading down the walls. It took two years to construct since all the money had to be raised as it was being built.

“We create things for kids to allow them to do things they would otherwise never have done,” explained Zajac. For example, the Ranch offers high and low rope courses and a climbing wall, which are made accessible for children with any physical disability, including those who are paralyzed. There are also kayaks, canoes and special bikes allowing children to pedal with their hands. For nature walks, special wheelchairs which roll easily through the forest are supplied and there is a special basketball court that is set up so everyone can play.

One of the most exciting visits Zajac organized for the kids was having the B.C. Lions come visit the ranch. The kids were delighted about meeting the athletes, and were thrilled when the football players agreed to play football with them. Every child got to take home an autographed football. Zajac hopes to encourage more celebrity visits and has built special quarters for them to stay overnight so they can spend a full day with the kids.

The ranch is still expanding and there are still various additions Zajac hopes to make. Top priorities right now are an art and cultural centre, a tack room for the stables, and he is currently on the lookout for a sponsor for a ‘General Store.’ He also wants to build a water tower to turn the ranch into a town, and “a zip line like the one in Whistler!” is a definite on the wish list. Zajac is also continually looking for sponsors who want to give children a week they will remember forever.

“This is the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Zajac.

If you or your company is interested in donating or volunteering at Zajac Ranch, or is interested in learning more about the ranch visit the website at www.zajacranch.com or call 604-739-0444.

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