On a recent warm June morning, kids from the Life Skills classes at Olympic View Elementary School in Oak Harbor had plenty to smile about at the M-Bar-C Ranch in Freeland.

Whether it was dressing up like princesses or cowgirls, superheroes or cowboys, exploring a miniature version of a Wild West town or climbing into the saddle of a horse for a ride, the students spent one of their last field trips of the school year having a day of rural fun.

“It’s magic here, it really is. It’s a wonderful place,” said Merilou McNew, the ranch’s longest-running volunteer.

McNew is one of about 70 volunteers who keep the cogs turning at the ranch. The dedicated cadre maintain the 50 acres of pasture, lead and take care of the horses and serve meals for every group of kids, young adults and grown-ups that comes to the ranch.

What began as a way for Seattle area families to provide a bucolic experience on Whidbey Island for their kids in the 1970s has since morphed into a haven of sorts for children and adults who may have physical, mental, emotional or financial challenges in their lives.

M-Bar-C Ranch derives its name from the term “Metropolitan Cowboys,” which certainly fit the bill of Richard “Buck” Francisco, one of the ranch’s founders and a late South Whidbey resident. The Seattle business owner bought the ranch with Don Rall. Francisco went on to establish the Forgotten Children’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides Christmas presents to children in need. In 2001, the Forgotten Children’s Fund took over ownership of the M-Bar-C Ranch from the families who owned it before.

Visitors to the ranch get to experience its charms free of charge. After being sworn in as honorary cowpokes, they can choose a costume from a spacious closet, including masks, hats and boots. The rest of the day is largely unstructured, meaning visitors can participate in horseback riding, design arts and crafts or play around in Cowboy Town, a replica of a Wild West town complete with a barber shop, a Pony Express office, a chapel and a jail.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers took part in refurbishing Cowboy Town, some of which was originally built by minimum security prisoners in the early 1980s, according to Volunteer and Program Coordinator Dale Norris. Volunteers also spent some time updating the decor of the ranch’s buildings to be more inclusive.

“We even have a painting somebody donated of two Hawaiian riders and somebody else donated one of Buffalo Soldiers from the early 1800s,” Norris said.

2023 marks the M-Bar-C Ranch’s first full year of operation since before the pandemic. This summer’s schedule is jam-packed, with visits from the Coupeville Boys & Girls Club, the Wabe of Whidbey and Island County Parent to Parent planned. Norris estimates that the ranch will see at least 1,500 visitors this year.

“It’s a memory for them, and they’ll never forget it,” Norris said of the visitors. “When they come back, it’s like they’re just so happy to be here again.”

Norris and the other volunteers agreed that one of the most magical moments is seeing kids – especially those who are nonverbal – interact with the horses.

“Although we’re not therapeutic riding, horses are therapy anyway,” Norris said.

Volunteer Malia Steeb, a Freeland resident, told a story about a little boy who was afraid to climb into the saddle.

“He was okay once he got on, and I think he wanted to come and do it again,” Steeb said. “That was pretty cool to see him overcoming his fear.”

Clinton resident Chanse Cheyne, who refers to herself as a “longtime horse girl,” is one of the ranch’s youngest volunteers. The majority of helpers are retirees, and the ranch is currently looking for other young ‘uns to volunteer their time.

“Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, getting to see them have that Western day of fun, it’s really rewarding for me, personally,” Cheyne said.

For those volunteers taking care of the ranch’s dozen horses, one of the incentives is being able to ride. Norris said the group of women, all over the age of 50, jokingly refer to themselves as the Saddlebags.

“I am so thankful and grateful for finding this place because I have lifelong friends here in the other volunteers,” she said. “It really is like our clubhouse and when people feel they have an ownership of something, they want to take care of it.”

For more information about the M-Bar-C Ranch, visit forgottenchildrensfund.org/mbarc-ranch.

Kindergartener Elaine Trevino dons a cowgirl ensemble with assistance from Life Skills Paraeducator Dana Parry. (Photo by David Welton)

Second grader Athena Guerrero tries on accessories from the ranch’s spacious closet. (Photo by David Welton)

Second grader London Connell poses with a stick horse. (Photo by David Welton)

Kindergartener Aiden Rasmussen and second grader Athena Guerrero spend some time in the Cowboy Town jail. (Photo by David Welton)

Fourth grader Marvin Rodriguez composes a message on an antique typewriter in the Cowboy Town jail. (Photo by David Welton)

Second grader London Connell practices driving a toy tractor at the M-Bar-C Ranch. (Photo by David Welton)