Youth Haven Ranch a boon for disadvantaged children

The ranch, which has reached its 25-year anniversary this year, is a nonprofit camp-retreat for what founders term "deserving" children 7-12.

It operates year-round, allowing children nominated by social-service and welfare agencies, school counselors or concerned community members to spend some time away with peers their own age learning about nature and the Bible and having fun in an upbeat and positive environment.

Kids come from all over Arizona, for either the ranch's weeklong summer retreat or the three-day weekend experience during the school year — all of which is free.

Youth Haven was originated in Michigan by Dorothy and Morry Carlson in 1968 and still operates there today. It was meant as a place for children who aren't as fortunate as some to learn, grow and have fun.

The land for Arizona's Youth Haven ranch, about 40 acres, was donated by Palmer Miller in 1982. It has since doubled in size, with a little over 80 acres overlooking the mountainous desert terrain.

"So the kids have plenty of room to jump and swim and chase each other around," says Haven manager Roger Lyman.

Lyman, a retired Detroit police officer, and his wife, Marilyn, a retired nurse, have been managing the Eloy site for the past four years. Together with a paid staff of seven and several volunteers, they keep things running smoothly with each new batch of 20 to 30 children arriving every Friday; there are usually six or seven children assigned to one leader.

In fact, that's how the Lymans met in the 1960s. She was working as a camp nurse, and Roger was a counselor back at the original Haven site in Michigan.

She and Roger are now preparing for their Christmas retreats. Children over the next couple of weekends also will be receiving gifts in the spirit of the holiday season, donated by locals.

The Lymans and staff (and their families) all live on the property in their own apartments. The children sleep in one of four dorms situated at the ends of a four-pointed star, positioned almost like a compass with each sitting at north, east, south and west of a concrete walkway. Each dorm can hold 22 kids. The concrete path leads to a ramada, a covered patio in the middle of the compound, where Bible stories are read or lessons are given.

During the school year, children can come once every two months for the weekend retreats. But while there, recreation can include swimming in the ranch's pool, playing on the playground or a game in the gymnasium, trying their hand at archery or on the volleyball court, watching movies or hanging out at the petting zoo.

"Some kids come out here long-faced; they don't want to be here," Roger says. "But we try to be positive with them. The next time they come, the face has changed. They want to be here, they want to enjoy it and have a good time.

One of the biggest treats is the hayride in one of the ranch's covered wagons across the Haven's expansive acreage. Each wagon has room for 10 to sleep in built-in beds. The kids get to see the desert mountains from the old caravan wagons, learn about the local wildlife and study the different plant types.

During some of the Christmas retreats, Haven leaders have provided a magic show while teaching kids basic behavioral skills.

"Our goal is to provide a safe, fun environment for these boys and girls and to show them they are loved and valued," Youth Haven representative Amy Carlson says.

But besides having fun, they're taught the basics of responsibility as well by keeping their dorms clean, clearing the table after every meal and treating each other and the ranch staff with respect. It isn't cheap to fund the ranch, but the kids never pay a cent. Everything from the kitchen equipment to bunk beds is provided through individual donors.

"It gets expensive, but we have a lot of support," Marilyn Lyman says.

Some of the first Haven visitors from the mid-'80s still remember the ranch from their childhood.

"I was in Casa Grande just the other day at a lumberyard, and the guy that waited on me, he's in his 30s, had spent time at the ranch as a child," Roger says. "It's kind of neat to hear good stories of 'what are you doing now?' They remember this place, and remember that they had a good time here."