My daughter has been going to McDonald Ranch for several years, both after school and during the summer. She absolutely loves it. She is getting older and still wants to be there. The program has provided her with an opportunity to graduate to a counselor someday and it is her biggest life goal. As a helper at the moment she truly relishes the opportunity to be a leader to the younger kids. McDonald Ranch was her first exposure to riding horses and to farm animals in general. This experience has been life changing for our whole family. Richard and Linda have a difficult job dealing with kids and parents who aren't always easy. They are kind, and fair, and patient. They have provided transportation to their program, which would have otherwise been impossible for us. It's not fancy but it is real life. read more

Do not send your kids to this camp. Last summer I signed up my daughter after everything closed down. They said said that they would do Covid restrictions and turns out they didn't but that's not why I wouldn't recommend sending your children. My daughter went for one day and I got a hysterical call from the lady owner saying that my child was horrible and acting out and she was kicking my kid out. I was shocked. When the husband dropped off the children I asked him about it and he said that he didn't know what she was talking about and that my daughter had been wonderful that day. I asked my daughter what happened and she said the wife started screaming at her after she drew a rainbow flag during art time. The Husband was surprised at this and apologized. I called the wife to ask her about this and she started yelling at me. It was awful. The next day I found out that a co worker had sent their son there the previous year and the wife had yelled at the boy and kicked him out of the camp after he said he had two dads. Not only was this traumatic and Homophobic, we were stuck without a camp for the rest of the summer without having broken any known rules. Do not send your kids to this awful abusive place. read more

My two kids have been attending McDonald Ranch in their after-school program for 2 years now and LOVE IT. My daughter is now 7 years old and my son just turned 10. They have a couple of friends from their school but also have made new friends from other schools. Both my kids are learning to ride horses; They have discovered their enjoyment with pottery because of this Ranch after school program; Their engagement with dogs, kittens and goats have just opened up their world & care for animals; The ability for the Ranch to drop them off to our home in the evening is SUPER APPRECIATED because my husband and I both work until 5pm; The Friday outings Linda takes the kids on is always looked-forward to by both my kids and I love that they get to visit new places and do new things! Taking care of kids is tough. Yes there can be issues with so many kids but Linda has immediately addressed any concern I've had and made me 100% trust her and the program. I continue to send my kids, they continue to enjoy the heck out of it and I continue to share with other friends who have kids how this after-school program is FANTASTIC. read more

I came as a extra hand to move up to a CIT. The first day i came was 3 days for training and leaning the rules of the camp. The Linda who's ran's the place had one person did CPR on dummy and showed us CPR and said we passed when we was never hands. Linda the boss said if there's kids seem to be getting abuse by someone from home to let her. Linda said there was kid how had a broken arm. A CIT that was at McDonald Ranch the Summer before said what happened to kid and what happened Linda went on how a Mom broke there's kid Arm stuff like this should not be talked about. There was A CIT who sold A Vape to a anther CTI A Camp. The CIT who sold the Vape got Fired the CIT who bought the Vape had it at Camp Linda found out and had a talk with the CIT and they did not get fired. Linda has favorites at the Camp if you do something wrong and she doesn't like you get fired but if she likes you and you do something wring and brake the rules you don't get fired. A CIT Had a Knife and a Lighter and got Fried that same day. All The CIT got a tower of the Camp they have gates to keep the horses inside that were electric one summer before that a Kid touched the gate and had to go to the hospital. They have water for the animals but they keep it in a Bathtub. When kids had to wash there hands there was about Four buckets with soap and water and all the kids washed there hands in the water. There is a Kitchen were kids would make food and desserts the kitchen was never cleaned up after. One day This was my last day and I didn't even know it we was waiting for the pool the open one of the camp CIT was talking inappropriate around the kids Linda's Boss was there and said to Linda i was the one and 3 other people were talking bad the person who was Linda said to him your fine i was told you wasn't a part of the conversion then me and 3 others were fired......... read more

My son loves McDonald Ranch. We have used the ranch's services in a number of ways over the years. We started with after school care, and graduated into the full time farm school program during COVID. We are now in the summer camp, and all have been delightful. My son comes home dirty, happy and tired- telling us the tales of the day. Wether it's archery, caring for animals, or ceramics- he is always coming home excited to tell us all about his day. Katjya is wonderful with the kids. She is warm but firm and give direct feedback. She is able to give practical advice for learning issues, and takes a practical approach to teaching that is easily digestible for the kids. It's a wonderful place and a wonderful program. read more

McDonald ranch is a wonderful place to bring your children. Not only does this facility offer a summer Camp and an after school program for kindergartners through high school, but it also teaches the children viable life skills. As being a senior at Sonoma State University with my major being concentrated towards Early Childhood Education, McDonald Ranch is perfect for your child's growth and development of learning. We offer a variety of activities and lessons that are so important for children. Not only is the ranch a place where children can learn how to ride horses, we also offer: hands on cooking classes, archery, scrapbooking, arts and crafts, leather crafts, lapidary, making and painting ceramics, creating walking sticks, animal husbandry, weekly field trips, and more. We love seeing the children learn and create friendships while at the ranch. Linda and Richard, the owners of the camp, are the most heart felt, trusting, and compassionate people I know. I have been working for them for almost two years, and out of all the positions I've had with working with children since I was 12, these people are excellent at creating a fun and safe environment for children for all ages. Not only do the children learn while having fun, I learn a lot myself. Especially when I am able to implement what I learn with my studies at the ranch with the children. read more

Excellent teachers, 3 boys enjoyed their morning lesson each day for a week .. and learned so much about horsemanship

My Daughter, Mimi has been involved with McDonald Ranch for 5 years. The camp came highly recommended to us by a friend. The camp appealed to us because it had so many great options/activities. Mimi fell in love with the camp. McDonald ranch offers a very authentic hands on approach to animal care, horse back riding, archery, cooking, arts and crafts, and so much more. Linda and Richard, the owners of McDonald ranch, are wonderful compassionate people. They really are there for the children. Mimi, who is now 12 yrs old, is a CIT. She is learning how to be a leader and developing skills that are very important. They are like a 2nd family to us. We have nothing but appreciation and gratitude for all that Linda and Richard do. Cheers, Irene read more

My son really enjoyed this camp. Especially the time with the animals and doing pottery. They are very sweet people and very accommodating.

I LOVE this camp! I've been going to McDonnald Ranch since I was 8, sometimes I go there all summer. I attended the after school program as well, programs are fantastic. One of the many reasons why I love this camp so much is because they have so much to do, and so many new things to try, for example they have horse riding, swimming, pottery, archery, lanyard making, cooking, ceramics, goat milking, and so many more great activities! They also have the best horse riding trainer I have ever met. I hope you have the chance to make memories at this amazing place this summer. read more

We have had both of our children attend various events with the team at McDonald Ranch, our boys both loved going. Linda and Richard as well as her staff are wonderful with children of all ages. When the roof collapsed at our prior after school pickup program we also began attending the ranch for after school pickup and it couldn't more convenient, our son is picked up from school and then dropped off at home daily. The price is extremely reasonable and the activities and horseback riding is always a thrill for our 6 year old. I would highly recommend McDonald ranch for any summer or after school programs. read more

UNSAFE!! STAY AWAY!! False advertising for a positive environment for children of all ages. This "summer camp" takes children of all ages with high RISKS. Supervision is limited, young CHILDREN ARE LEFT BEIND , disabled children are not given priority attention; incident of a CHILD FOUND UNRESPONSIVE with the excuse of "thought they were asleep,"INJURIES NOT REPORTED to parents, "counselors in training (CIT)" is a falsified title and realistically translates to free babysitters for younger children to even out supervising ratios at the cost of the guardians and get away with using PROFANITY around young children, cause injury to younger children without apology, stay in their teen cliques instead of being "counselor in training" to watch over younger children, and some will use the CIT title as justification to power trip over younger children. There are NO REPERCUSSIONS FOR POOR BEHAVIOR of the CIT's, because the owners need the supervision ratios to keep the money coming in. NOT NURTURING. Ranch environment gives children use of PORTABLE TOILETS, tubs filled with soapy water instead of basins and soap dispensers to wash hands after handling multiple animals, and use of portable toilets only to allow children to handle their food items afterwards. Van pools DO NOT PLACE YOUNGER CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS seats when transporting children. UNSAFE! This is a cash cow at your child's expense!! read more